Arkansas LPC License: Requirements for LAC and LPC Certification
To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas, you’ll need a master’s degree in counseling (at least 60 credit hours), pass the National Counselor Examination and Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam, then complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). The process typically takes several years from graduate school to full licensure.
Arkansas licenses professional counselors at two levels. The first is the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), a provisional credential you hold while completing the supervised hours required to qualify for full licensure. The second is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which authorizes independent practice under Arkansas law. Most people spend several years working as an LAC before earning the LPC. Understanding both credentials up front helps you plan your path before you start a graduate program.
Licensure is overseen by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC). ABEC handles applications, approves supervisors, administers the oral exam, and sets the rules for continuing education. Their official website is the authoritative source for current forms, fees, and any rule changes that happen after this page was last updated.
Education Requirements
To qualify for either LAC or LPC licensure in Arkansas, you need a graduate degree with at least 60 semester credit hours. The degree must be primarily in professional counseling and accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) meet this standard and are generally preferred by employers and licensing boards alike. If you’re still choosing a program, our guide to the best online counseling master’s programs covers accredited options worth considering.
Your program’s coursework needs to cover specific content areas. ABEC requires at least one three-credit course in each of the following: human growth and development, social and cultural diversity, counseling theory, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research and program evaluation. Your program also needs to include at least one credit in the use of technology in counseling, plus a qualifying practicum and internship.
The practicum and internship together must total at least 9 semester credits across at least 3 graduate courses over a minimum of 6 months. The practicum requires at least 100 hours, including 40 hours of direct client contact. The internship requires at least 600 hours, including 240 hours of direct client contact.
Applying for Your LAC License
Once you’ve completed your degree, you apply to ABEC for your Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential. The LAC is the starting point for your supervised experience, not an optional step. You may remain licensed as an LAC while under supervision, but it is intended as a provisional step toward LPC licensure. LACs must always work under the supervision of an ABEC-certified LPC supervisor.
To apply for the LAC, you’ll need to submit the following through ABEC’s applicant portal:
- A completed LAC application with the required fee
- Official transcripts sent directly from your graduate program
- Four letters of professional recommendation: two from faculty or adjuncts in your graduate program, one from your practicum or internship supervisor, and one from a mental health professional
- A Statement of Intent describing the scope of your planned counseling practice
- Fingerprinting for a background check (instructions provided by ABEC after your application is reviewed)
Before ABEC issues your LAC, you’ll also need to pass two exams: the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam, which covers Arkansas counseling law and ethics. Registration for both goes through NBCC. The NCE carries a $275 registration fee. The Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam carries a small additional fee. Check ABEC directly for current pricing.
Supervised Experience
Once you hold your LAC, you need to accumulate 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience before you can apply for LPC licensure. This must happen over at least three years. All of those hours need to be under an ABEC-approved supervisor, and you need to establish a formal supervision arrangement with ABEC’s approval before you start counting hours.
You can reduce the required hours in two ways. Each 30 semester hours of post-graduate coursework reduces the requirement by 1,000 hours, though this reduction is capped at 2,000 hours. You can also reduce the requirement by passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Regardless of any reductions, every applicant must complete at least 1,000 supervised hours.
Applying for Full LPC Licensure
When you’ve completed your supervised hours, you apply to ABEC for your LPC. The application includes transcripts, documentation of your supervised hours, exam scores, and three professional references. You’ll also need to pass the oral examination administered by ABEC. This is a face-to-face interview with the board evaluating your ethical reasoning and readiness to practice independently. ABEC holds oral exams during monthly board meetings, which are open to the public. Attending one as an observer before your own exam is a smart move.
After passing the oral exam and receiving board approval, ABEC issues your LPC license. You’re then authorized to practice counseling independently in Arkansas.
What Arkansas LPCs Earn
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Arkansas earned a median annual salary of $49,990 as of May 2024. The range is wide: the 25th percentile is $37,280, and the 90th percentile is $102,400, reflecting differences in setting, specialty, and experience level. Nationally, the median for this occupation is $59,190.
Continuing Education
Arkansas LPCs renew their licenses every two years. Renewal requires 24 hours of continuing education, of which 6 hours must cover ethics. Hours must be completed through ABEC-approved providers. Late renewal carries an additional $100 penalty, and the renewal fee is approximately $250 (subject to change by ABEC). Some LPCs in Arkansas also hold a specialty credential in addiction counseling. If that’s a path you’re considering, see our overview of Substance Abuse Counseling Certification in Arkansas.
Licensure by Endorsement
Arkansas doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements with other states, but it does accept applications from counselors who have been licensed in another state for at least three years. The endorsement pathway requires submitting transcripts, a course summary sheet, four letters of recommendation, a Statement of Intent, verification of your out-of-state license, and background check documentation. You’ll also need to pass the Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam. Endorsement applications go through the ABEC online portal.
If you’re also considering a social work license in Arkansas, our guide to Social Work Licensure in Arkansas covers the LSW and LMSW credential requirements side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LAC and an LPC in Arkansas?
The Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) is a provisional credential you hold while completing the supervised experience required for full licensure. An LAC must always practice under an ABEC-certified supervisor. The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is authorized to practice independently and holds a full license under Arkansas law. Most people hold the LAC for at least three years while accumulating the required supervised hours.
How long does it take to get an LPC in Arkansas?
Expect the process to take roughly 6 to 9 years from the start of a bachelor’s degree, or 3 to 5 years if you’re counting from the start of your graduate program. The supervised experience requirement alone takes a minimum of three years after graduation. The timeline also depends on how quickly you complete your graduate program, pass your exams, and line up an approved supervisor.
What exams are required for LPC licensure in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires three exams on the path to LPC licensure. You need to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam to receive your LAC. After completing your supervised hours, you take the oral examination administered by ABEC before receiving your LPC. The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is optional but can reduce your required supervised hours.
Does Arkansas have counseling license reciprocity with other states?
Arkansas doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements, but it does accept licensure by endorsement for counselors who have been licensed in another state for at least three years. Endorsement applicants still need to pass the Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam and meet the state’s documentation requirements.
What are the continuing education requirements for Arkansas LPCs?
Arkansas requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years. Of those, 6 hours must specifically address ethics. Hours must be completed through ABEC-approved providers and submitted with your renewal application before your license expiration date.
Key Takeaways
- Two license levels: Arkansas issues the LAC as a provisional credential and the LPC as the full independent practice license. You need the LAC first to accumulate supervised hours.
- Graduate degree required: You need at least 60 semester credit hours in a counseling program accredited by a CHEA-recognized body. CACREP-accredited programs are preferred.
- Three exams on the path to LPC: The NCE and Arkansas Jurisprudence Exam are required for the LAC. The ABEC oral exam is the final step before the LPC is issued.
- 3,000 supervised hours minimum: Completed as an LAC over at least three years under an ABEC-approved supervisor. This can be reduced by post-graduate coursework or the NCMHCE.
- Biennial renewal: LPCs renew every 2 years, completing 24 CE hours, including 6 in ethics.
Ready to explore counseling programs in Arkansas? Browse accredited graduate programs and review state-by-state licensing requirements to find the path that fits your goals.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026. Related occupation data is also available for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, and Social and Community Service Managers.