Counseling Licensure in North Dakota
North Dakota licenses counselors at three levels: the Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The path starts with a 60-credit master’s degree, a 700-hour internship, and the National Counselor Examination. From there, supervised experience under an approved supervisor advances you to full LPC status.
Most states have two counselor license levels. North Dakota has three. That distinction matters when you’re planning your career path, because each level comes with different practice rights, different exam requirements, and a different timeline to reach it. The North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners (NDBCE) governs all three and sets the rules for education, supervision, and renewal.
Here’s what you need to know at each stage.
The Three License Levels at a Glance
Before getting into the step-by-step requirements, it helps to understand what each credential actually means for your practice.
| License | Practice Rights | Key Exam | Supervised Hours | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAPC | Limited; supervised practice only while completing post-master’s experience | NCE | N/A (this is the supervised experience period) | $150 |
| LPC | Full independent practice as a professional counselor | NCE | 400 hours direct client contact; 100 hours supervision over 2 years | $100 (advancement) |
| LPCC | Clinical mental health practice, including diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders | NCE + NCMHCE | 3,000 hours post-master’s clinical experience over 2 years | $150 |
Educational Requirements
All three license levels start with the same academic baseline. You need a master’s degree in counseling of at least 60 semester credits from a regionally accredited institution. Effective July 1, 2017, the 60-credit requirement applies to all applicants. A degree with fewer credits won’t qualify.
The NDBCE also requires that your program include coursework in 10 core content areas, including counseling theories and techniques, human development, group counseling, multicultural counseling, career development, and counseling-related research methods. Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) are the most straightforward path, since accreditation signals that these content areas are built into the curriculum. Rehabilitation counselors may use a program accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) instead.
In addition to coursework, your degree must include at least 700 hours of supervised practicum or internship experience completed during your graduate program. This is distinct from the post-master’s supervised experience you’ll complete as an LAPC. Both are required.
The NCE and NCMHCE Exams
Before you can apply for the LAPC title, you’ll need to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). You apply to the NDBCE first, and once they approve your academic credentials, they’ll send you instructions to register with NBCC. The exam fee is $195.
If your goal is the LPCC, you’ll also need to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). This exam uses 11 clinical case studies to assess your ability to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions. You can sit for the NCMHCE during your second year as a clinical LAPC. If substance abuse counseling is your primary focus, North Dakota also licenses counselors at a separate credential level. See our North Dakota substance abuse counseling certification guide for details.
Applying for Your LAPC
The Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) is your entry point into supervised practice. You can’t move toward LPC status without it. To apply, you’ll submit proof of your master’s degree (transcripts sent directly from your institution), your NCE scores (sent directly from NBCC), a criminal background check, and a completed two-year Plan of Supervision that outlines how you’ll fulfill your supervised experience requirement.
Supervision cannot take place in a setting where you hold ownership or an interest, such as a private practice you own. Your application must be notarized and mailed to the NDBCE office in Mandan. The application fee is $150.
Supervised Experience Requirements
The supervised experience period under your LAPC spans two years. During that time, you need to accumulate at least 400 hours of direct client contact and complete 100 hours of supervision. At least 60 of those supervision hours must be individual, face-to-face sessions with your supervisor. The remainder can be completed in group supervision formats such as case conferences.
Your supervisor must hold a current North Dakota license. Approved supervisor credentials include LPC, LPCC, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or a related mental health professional with at least a master’s degree in their field. The NDBCE periodically updates supervisor requirements, so confirm current criteria on their website before finalizing your supervision arrangement.
If you’re pursuing the LPCC, the experience requirement increases substantially. You’ll need 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical experience in a clinical setting, completed over two years, with 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (at least 60 individual). The clinical work must begin at a defined start date, and your LPCC application clock starts from that point.
Applying for Your LPC or LPCC
Once you’ve completed the supervised experience requirement, you’re ready to apply for your full LPC license. The NDBCE requires proof of your completed supervision hours, your LAPC documentation, and your NCE scores on file. The advancement fee is $100.
The LPCC application has additional requirements. You’ll need to submit three professional letters of recommendation from mental health professionals who have worked with you, with one letter coming from your clinical supervisor. You’ll also need to provide a videotaped counseling session that is at least 30 minutes in length, along with written consent from all participants and a written self-critique addressing the competencies outlined in the application packet. The NDBCE notes that it’s normal to record multiple sessions and select the strongest one.
Continuing Education and License Renewal
North Dakota counselor licenses expire every two years. LPCs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period. LPCCs must complete 40 hours total, with at least 10 of those hours specifically focused on clinical counseling.
Regardless of your license level, at least 3 CE hours must address professional ethics. No more than 15 hours per period can come from a single source, event, or topic. North Dakota places limits on acceptable CE formats, so verify current rules regarding online coursework directly with the NDBCE before registering for online programs.
Reciprocity for Out-of-State Counselors
North Dakota offers reciprocity at the LPC level and evaluates applications on an individual basis. If you hold an active LPC license in good standing from another state that has requirements equal to or stricter than North Dakota’s, you can apply. You’ll need to provide proof of degree completion, a license in good standing, documentation of completed supervision hours, a passing NCE score, and a statement of professional intent.
For LPCC or equivalent clinical license holders from other states, there is currently no formal reciprocity pathway. Contact the NDBCE directly for guidance on clinical licensure transfer.
Counselor Salary in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in North Dakota earn a median annual salary of $66,450. The lower half of earners in the state bring in between $42,520 and $66,450, while those in the top quarter earn $75,120 or more. Nationally, the median for this occupation is $59,190.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an LPC and an LPCC in North Dakota?
An LPC is licensed to provide counseling and therapeutic services independently. An LPCC holds an additional clinical designation that authorizes diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. You must hold an LPC before applying for the LPCC, and the LPCC requires additional supervised hours, a second exam (the NCMHCE), and a videotaped session review.
How long does it take to become an LPC in North Dakota?
Most candidates take 2 to 3 years to complete a master’s degree, followed by 2 years of supervised practice as an LAPC. From start to LPC license, plan for roughly four to five years. The LPCC adds at least two more years of supervised clinical experience on top of that.
What exam do I need for LPC licensure in North Dakota?
You need to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). If you’re pursuing the LPCC, you’ll also need to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE). Both exams require a $195 registration fee paid to NBCC.
Does North Dakota offer counselor license reciprocity?
Yes, at the LPC level. If you hold an active LPC license in good standing from another state that has requirements equal to or stricter than North Dakota’s, you can apply for reciprocity. There is currently no formal reciprocity pathway for the LPCC credential. Contact the NDBCE directly for guidance.
How do I contact the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners?
The NDBCE is located at 2112 10th Avenue SE, Mandan, ND 58554. You can reach them by phone at 701-667-5969 or visit their website at ndbce.org for current application forms, fee schedules, and rule updates.
Key Takeaways
- Three license levels: North Dakota licenses counselors as LAPC, LPC, and LPCC, each with distinct practice rights and requirements.
- Education baseline: A 60-credit master’s degree in counseling plus 700 hours of practicum or internship is required for all three levels.
- LAPC first: You can’t advance to LPC without first holding the LAPC, which gives you the supervised practice period needed to qualify.
- LPC supervised experience: 400 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of supervision over two years, with at least 60 individual supervision hours.
- LPCC is a clinical specialty: It requires 3,000 post-master’s clinical hours, the NCMHCE exam, a videotaped session review, and three reference letters.
- Renewal every two years: LPCs complete 30 CE hours. LPCCs complete 40, with at least 10 in clinical counseling.
Ready to take the next step? Explore counseling programs in North Dakota and identify which are CACREP-accredited. If you’re also considering a career in social work, see our North Dakota social work licensure requirements.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and 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.