Kansas LPC and LCPC Counseling Licensure Requirements
Kansas issues two counseling licenses: the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for supervised entry-level practice, and the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) for independent clinical work, including diagnosing and treating mental disorders. Most candidates earn the LPC first, then advance to the LCPC through post-degree supervised experience and a second licensing exam. The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) oversees both.
If you’re weighing the LPC against the LCPC in Kansas, most candidates don’t actually choose between them. The path is typically sequential. The LPC is where most people start, and the LCPC is where full clinical independence begins. Understanding what each license lets you do, and what it takes to get there, will shape the graduate program decisions you’re making right now. If substance abuse counseling is your focus, Kansas also offers a separate licensure track for addiction counselors in Kansas.
LPC vs. LCPC: What Each License Allows
Both licenses are issued by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. The core distinction is the scope of practice. An LPC practices under the direction of a qualified supervisor. You can work with clients, but you can’t independently diagnose or treat mental disorders. An LCPC can. That clinical license is what opens the door to private practice and other independent settings.
| Factor | LPC | LCPC |
|---|---|---|
| License level | Entry-level (basic) | Clinical (advanced) |
| Practice scope | Under supervision | Independent |
| Education | 60-credit master’s in counseling | Same, plus 15 credits in mental disorder diagnosis and treatment |
| Licensing exam | NCE | NCMHCE |
| Post-degree supervised hours | Not required | 3,000 hours over 2+ years |
| Application fee | $100 | $100 |
Educational Requirements
Both licenses require a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field. Your program must come from a CACREP-accredited program or meet equivalent BSRB standards. The degree must include at least 60 graduate semester hours, distributed across required core areas: human growth and development, counseling theories, group dynamics, career development, appraisal of individuals, research and evaluation, and professional ethics.
If you’re aiming for the LCPC, pay attention to one additional coursework requirement early in your program planning. Fifteen of your graduate hours must cover the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders. Most clinical counseling programs build this in, but it’s worth confirming before you commit to a program.
Your graduate program must also include a supervised practicum and clinical experience that meets BSRB requirements. For LCPC eligibility, this practicum must include psychotherapy and assessment with individuals, couples, families, or groups, integrating the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Step 1: Earning Your LPC
Once your master’s degree is complete, you’ll apply to the BSRB to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NCE is a standardized competency exam covering core counseling knowledge and skills. Check current scheduling and registration requirements with both the NBCC and BSRB before submitting your application, as lead times and procedures can change.
After passing the NCE, you’ll submit your LPC application to the BSRB. That packet includes your official transcripts, three professional references in sealed and signed envelopes (one from your practicum or internship director), and the application fee. Fees are subject to change, so verify current amounts with the BSRB and NBCC before applying. Once approved, you hold your Kansas LPC license and can begin working toward the clinical hours you’ll need for the LCPC.
Step 2: Moving from LPC to LCPC
The LCPC is where Kansas counselors reach full clinical independence. In most cases, you must hold an active LPC license before beginning the LCPC process.
Supervised Experience
Kansas requires 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience, completed over a minimum of two years. At least 1,500 of those hours must be direct client contact providing psychotherapy and assessment. You must also meet BSRB supervision requirements, including minimum hours of individual supervision and regular supervisory contact throughout the process.
Before you start accruing hours, submit a BSRB-approved Clinical Supervision Training Plan. Hours don’t count until that plan is on file. Your supervisor must be a licensed LCPC with at least two years of post-licensure experience. Under certain circumstances, a licensed psychologist, clinical marriage and family therapist, or licensed clinical social worker may serve as a supervisor instead.
NCMHCE Exam and LCPC Application
Once your supervised hours are complete, apply to the BSRB to sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), also administered by the NBCC. The NCMHCE is simulation-based rather than multiple-choice. It presents realistic clinical scenarios and tests your judgment in assessing, diagnosing, and planning treatment. Check current registration requirements with both the NBCC and BSRB before applying. After passing, you submit your LCPC application packet with supervision verification and the application fee.
Licensure by Reciprocity
Kansas doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements with any specific state, but it offers licensure by reciprocity/endorsement based on substantially equivalent requirements. Your out-of-state license must reflect requirements comparable to Kansas standards. LCPC-level applicants must also show a history of clinical practice that includes diagnosing and treating mental disorders. The BSRB reviews each application individually, and requirements have been updated in recent years, so contact the Board directly to confirm your eligibility before applying.
Continuing Education
Kansas requires license renewal every two years for both LPCs and LCPCs. During each renewal period, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education. Six of those hours must cover mental disorder diagnosis and treatment, and three must address professional ethics. The BSRB maintains an approved provider list on its website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LPC and an LCPC in Kansas?
An LPC is Kansas’s entry-level counseling license, allowing practice under the direction of a qualified supervisor. An LCPC is the advanced clinical license that permits independent diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Most candidates earn the LPC first and then advance to the LCPC through additional supervised experience and a second licensing exam.
How long does it take to become an LCPC in Kansas?
Plan on at least eight years from the start of your undergraduate education: four years for a bachelor’s degree, roughly two years for a qualifying master’s program, and then a minimum of two years of post-degree supervised experience before you’re eligible for the LCPC exam.
What exam do I need for the LPC in Kansas?
The National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). For the LCPC, you’ll take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), also through the NBCC. Both require BSRB application approval before you can register. Check current scheduling and lead times with the BSRB and NBCC directly.
Can I transfer my counseling license to Kansas from another state?
Kansas offers licensure by reciprocity/endorsement based on substantially equivalent requirements rather than formal state-to-state agreements. Your existing license must reflect requirements comparable to Kansas standards, and you must have practiced for the required period. Contact the BSRB directly to confirm your eligibility before applying.
How much does it cost to apply for a Kansas counseling license?
Application fees apply at both the LPC and LCPC levels, and the NBCC charges a separate exam registration fee. Fees are subject to change, so verify current amounts with the BSRB and NBCC before applying.
Key Takeaways
- Kansas has two counseling licenses: the LPC for supervised practice and the LCPC for independent clinical work. Most candidates earn the LPC first and advance from there.
- Both require a 60-credit master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program or equivalent. LCPC candidates also need 15 credits covering mental disorder diagnosis and treatment.
- LCPC candidates must complete 3,000 supervised hours over at least two years, including 1,500 in direct client contact and sufficient individual supervision per BSRB requirements.
- Two exams are required: the NCE for the LPC and the NCMHCE for the LCPC, both administered by the NBCC.
- Kansas offers licensure by reciprocity/endorsement for counselors already licensed in states with substantially equivalent requirements.
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