Maine LPC License: Requirements for the LPC and LCPC
To get your Maine LPC license, you need a master’s degree in counseling or a related field that meets Maine Board requirements, 2,000 hours of supervised experience, and a passing score on the NCE exam. From there, you can pursue the higher-tier Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with additional supervised hours and a second exam. Many candidates complete the full LCPC path in roughly three to five years post-graduation, depending on workload and supervision pace.
Maine licenses counselors at two levels: the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). The LPC allows licensed practice but does not permit independent clinical diagnosis or treatment without meeting LCPC requirements. The LCPC qualifies you to diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently. If you’re weighing this path against social work, our Maine social work licensure requirements guide covers how those credentials compare. Both counseling licenses require a master’s degree, but the supervised hours, exam, and supervision requirements are different enough that it’s worth understanding the full path before you start. For a broader look at how these credentials stack up nationally, see our guide comparing LCSWs and LPCs.
You’ll want to bookmark the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals website. Requirements can change, and the board is the authoritative source for current rules, forms, and fee schedules.
LPC vs. LCPC: How the Two Licenses Compare
Maine’s two counseling licenses aren’t interchangeable. The LPC is the foundational credential that qualifies you for licensed counseling practice. The LCPC is the advanced credential that allows you to practice independently and provide clinical mental health services, including diagnosis. Here’s how the requirements break down side by side:
| Requirement | LPC | LCPC |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Master’s degree meeting Maine Board requirements (CACREP or equivalent) | Same (LPC required first) |
| Supervised hours | 2,000 hours | 3,000 hours (4,000 without internship) |
| Client contact hours | 1,000 hours | 1,500 hours of mental health therapy |
| Supervision hours | 67 hours (34 individual, 33 group) | 100 hours (50 individual, 50 group) |
| Exam | NCE (National Counselor Examination) | NMHCE (National Mental Health Counselor Examination) |
| Continuing education | 55 hours every two years | 55 hours every two years |
Educational Requirements
Both licenses start with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field that meets Maine Board requirements. CACREP-accredited programs meet this standard, as do equivalent programs that satisfy the board’s coursework criteria. If you’re pursuing a rehabilitation counseling specialty, a Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited program also qualifies.
Your undergraduate degree doesn’t need to be in counseling specifically. Still, a bachelor’s in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related behavioral science field gives you the strongest foundation for graduate-level work.
Graduate training must include supervised clinical experience (typically a practicum/internship). If you’re planning to pursue the LCPC, make sure your program includes a 600-hour internship with at least 360 hours of direct client contact. If you didn’t complete that internship during your graduate studies, you’ll need to add 1,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience to your LCPC path.
Supervised Experience: LPC
After completing your master’s degree, you’ll need to accumulate supervised work experience before you can apply for your LPC. Here’s what Maine requires:
- 2,000 total hours of supervised experience
- 1,000 hours of direct client contact in a mental health context
- 67 hours of supervision total: 34 hours of direct, face-to-face individual supervision and 33 hours of group supervision
- Pass a criminal background check
Your supervisor must be a board-approved licensed professional: an LCPC, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or a Certified Social Worker – Independent Practice.
LPC Exam and Application
Once you’ve completed your supervised hours, you’re ready to sit for your licensing exam.
The NCE Exam
Apply through the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) as administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). You’ll need to pass with a score acceptable to the board.
Applying for Your LPC
With your NCE score in hand, you can apply to the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals for your LPC title. The LPC application form is available on the board’s licensing page.
Supervised Experience: LCPC
The LCPC requires that you already hold your LPC. Once you do, you’ll need to apply for a conditional LCPC title and then accumulate the following supervised experience:
- 3,000 hours of supervised experience (or 4,000 hours if you didn’t complete the 600-hour graduate internship)
- 1,500 hours providing direct mental health therapy, including diagnosis and treatment of disorders
- 100 hours of clinical supervision total: 50 hours of face-to-face individual supervision and 50 hours of group supervision
- At least 1 hour of supervision for every 27 hours of experience (within the required 100 total supervision hours)
Your LCPC supervisor should preferably be an LCPC. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Certified Social Workers – Independent Practice are also approved supervisors.
The conditional LCPC application is available on the board’s licensing page.
LCPC Exam and Application
The NMHCE Exam
To advance to the LCPC, you’ll sit for the National Mental Health Counselor Examination (NMHCE), also administered by the NBCC. Apply through the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals and pass with a score the board accepts.
Applying for Your LCPC
Once you’ve passed the NMHCE, gather your documentation and submit your LCPC application to the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals.
Continuing Education
Maine requires license renewal every two years. To renew, you must complete 55 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period. Keep an eye on the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals’ applications and forms page for any changes to renewal requirements.
Maine Counselor Salary
Salary is a reasonable thing to factor in when you’re investing years in supervised experience and exam prep. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Maine earned a median annual salary of $60,970 as of May 2024. The mean wage was $64,050. Counselors at the 75th percentile earned $73,510, while those in the 90th percentile reached $93,070.
The LCPC credential, which qualifies you for independent clinical practice, often opens doors to higher-paying positions in private practice, hospital settings, and clinical leadership roles. If you’re also considering a specialty in substance abuse counseling, see our guide to Maine substance abuse counseling certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an LPC and an LCPC in Maine?
The LPC allows licensed counseling practice in Maine but does not permit independent clinical diagnosis or treatment. The LCPC is the advanced clinical license that allows you to diagnose and treat mental health conditions independently. You must hold the LPC before pursuing the LCPC.
How long does it take to get an LPC in Maine?
After completing your master’s degree, you’ll need to accumulate 2,000 supervised hours before sitting for the NCE. Depending on your work setting and schedule, most candidates complete the LPC process within 1 to 2 years of graduation.
What exam do you need for the Maine LPC?
The LPC requires the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). The LCPC requires a separate exam: the National Mental Health Counselor Examination (NMHCE), also through the NBCC.
How many CE hours are required to renew a Maine counseling license?
Maine requires 55 hours of continuing education every two years for both the LPC and LCPC. Check the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals website for the most current renewal requirements and approved CE providers.
Who can supervise my hours for the Maine LPC?
Your supervisor must be a board-approved licensed professional. Approved supervisors include LCPCs, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Certified Social Workers – Independent Practice.
Key Takeaways
- Maine has two counseling license tiers. The LPC allows licensed practice, and the LCPC adds independent clinical authority, including the authority to diagnose and treat.
- Both licenses require a qualifying master’s degree. Your program must meet Maine Board requirements. CACREP-accredited programs qualify, as do equivalent programs.
- The LPC requires 2,000 supervised hours and the NCE exam. You must complete 1,000 of those hours in direct client contact in a mental health setting.
- The LCPC requires an additional 3,000 supervised hours and the NMHCE exam. You must hold your LPC before beginning this process.
- Maine counselors earn a median salary of $60,970. BLS May 2024 data shows that clinical licensure typically opens the door to higher-paying roles.
Ready to find a counseling program in Maine? Browse accredited master’s programs that meet Maine’s LPC and LCPC education requirements.
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.