Counseling Licensure in Arizona: How to Become an LPC
To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arizona, you’ll need a CACREP-accredited master’s degree in counseling with a 700-hour practicum, a passing score on a qualifying national exam, and 3,200 hours of post-graduate supervised experience as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). The full path typically takes six to eight years.
Arizona has two tiers of professional counseling licensure: the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), which is the starting credential for graduates completing supervised hours, and the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which allows independent practice. Understanding Arizona counseling licensure requirements upfront helps you choose the right graduate program from the start. If you want a broad overview of counseling careers before diving into state-specific steps, that’s a good place to start. Both credentials are issued by the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE).
Before you can become an LPC, you’ll work as an LAC. That supervised period is how Arizona bridges the classroom and independent practice. Here’s what the full path looks like.
Educational Requirements
Arizona requires a master’s degree or higher in counseling from a regionally accredited college or university. The program must include at least 60 semester credit hours (or 90 quarter hours) and be either accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or carry a board-approved curriculum. If you’re still weighing options, our guide to affordable master’s in counseling programs breaks down cost by state.
To get there:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in counseling or a closely related field such as psychology, social work, or human services.
- Apply to and complete a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling program, or one whose curriculum has been formally approved by the AZBBHE.
If your program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it must include a supervised practicum of at least 700 supervised clinical hours, and your curriculum must meet the board’s coursework standards, as verified through a curriculum form submitted with your LAC application. It’s worth checking the AZBBHE’s list of self-designated qualifying programs before enrolling.
Applying for Your LAC License
Once you’ve completed your degree and practicum, you’ll apply to the AZBBHE for your Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential. This is the license you’ll hold while accruing the post-graduate supervised experience required for full LPC licensure.
The LAC application requires official transcripts, documentation of your supervised practicum hours, a background check, completion of the Arizona Statutes/Regulations tutorial, and a $250 application fee.
After the AZBBHE approves your application, they’ll authorize you to sit for your licensing exam.
Examination
Arizona accepts any one of the following three exams:
- National Counselor Examination (NCE). Offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Most candidates choose this route.
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Also offered by NBCC and the preferred choice for those pursuing a career as a mental health counselor with a clinical specialty.
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRC). Offered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, typically chosen by counselors working with clients with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities.
You can’t sit for any of these exams until the AZBBHE authorizes you to test. Once you pass, the board will issue your LAC license.
Supervised Work Experience
As a Licensed Associate Counselor, you’ll need to accumulate 3,200 hours of post-master’s supervised counseling experience over a minimum of two years. At least 1,600 of those hours must be in direct client contact.
You’re required to complete at least 100 hours of clinical supervision in total, with at least 50 of those hours provided by a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The remaining supervision hours may be provided by a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or a licensed psychologist, provided they meet the board’s qualification requirements.
Your supervisor or employer will complete the verification sections of your LPC application once you’ve fulfilled the requirement.
Applying for Full LPC Licensure
Once you’ve completed your supervised hours, you’ll submit your LPC application to the AZBBHE with a $250 fee. The board reviews your documentation, including employer verification of your supervised experience, before issuing your independent license.
If you’re already licensed as a counselor in another state, Arizona offers licensure by endorsement. To be eligible, you must have held an active license at the same practice level and discipline in another state for at least one year. The endorsement process requires fingerprints, official verification of your out-of-state license, official exam scores, and a completed application.
Continuing Education
After you receive your LPC, you’ll need 30 hours of continuing education every two years to renew. Each renewal cycle must include 3 hours each in:
- Cultural Competency and Diversity
- Mental Health Law or Behavioral Health Ethics
The AZBBHE doesn’t publish a list of approved providers, but acceptable sources include national and state professional associations, regionally accredited postsecondary institutions, and local social service agencies. Keep documentation of all completed hours. For the most current requirements, check the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners website directly.
How Long Does It Take?
Most candidates complete the full path from master’s enrollment to LPC in approximately six to eight years. That includes two to three years for the 60-credit graduate degree, at least two years completing the 3,200 supervised hours as an LAC, plus exam preparation and application processing time. Part-time students or those accruing hours more slowly may take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LAC and an LPC in Arizona?
A Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) has completed their master’s degree and passed a qualifying exam, but is still accruing supervised post-graduate hours. An LAC must work under supervision and can’t practice independently or bill insurance directly. A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) has met all requirements and holds full independent practice authority, including the ability to own a private practice and supervise other counselors.
Does Arizona have reciprocity with other states?
Arizona doesn’t offer direct reciprocity, but it does have a licensure-by-endorsement process for out-of-state counselors. To qualify, you must have held an active license at the same practice level and discipline in another state for at least one year. The application requires verification of your out-of-state license, official exam scores, fingerprints, and a $250 fee.
What exam should I take for LPC licensure in Arizona?
Arizona accepts three exams: the NCE, the NCMHCE, and the CRC. Most candidates choose the NCE or NCMHCE. The CRC is typically used by counselors specializing in rehabilitation. You’ll need AZBBHE authorization to register for any of them.
How many supervised hours are required for LPC licensure?
You’ll need 3,200 hours of post-master’s supervised experience over at least two years. At least 1,600 must be direct client contact, and at least 100 hours must be clinical supervision, with a minimum of 50 hours from a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Can I complete my counseling degree online?
Many CACREP-accredited programs now offer hybrid or fully online formats. If you’re considering an out-of-state online program, verify that it meets both CACREP standards and Arizona’s specific curriculum requirements before enrolling. The AZBBHE maintains a list of board-approved programs on its website.
Key Takeaways
- Two-step licensure. Arizona uses a two-tier system: earn your LAC first, complete supervised hours, then apply for your LPC.
- Master’s degree required. Your program must be CACREP-accredited or board-approved and include the required supervised clinical practicum hours.
- 3,200 supervised hours. The post-graduate experience requirement takes a minimum of two years as an LAC before you can apply for independent licensure.
- Three accepted exams. Arizona accepts the NCE, NCMHCE, or CRC. The AZBBHE must authorize you before sitting for any of them.
- Plan for six to eight years. From master’s enrollment to LPC, most candidates complete the process in 6 to 8 years.
Exploring counseling programs in Arizona? Browse CACREP-accredited options that meet Arizona’s licensure requirements and fit your career goals.
