Credentialing Skill Development Activity--Part III: Understanding Licensure Requirements B

Credentialing Skill Development Activity

 

Part III: Understanding Licensure Requirements B

 

There are two primary types of post-graduation credentials in the counseling profession-- licenses and certifications.  Both types of post-graduation credentials are extremely important in the counseling field.  Analyzing licensing and certification rules, regulations, and laws is a skill set necessary for you to achieve your professional post-graduation goals.  As counselor educators, we are responsible for assisting students in gaining the practical skills to analyze rules, laws, and regulations.  It is the licensing boards, credentialing boards, and your responsibility to use your analytical skills to support achieving your professional post-degree goals. We will help you find the information, but you will have to determine your professional path. You will use state licensing laws, rules, and regulations to complete this activity.  The skills you will gain by completing this activity can be applied to certifications as well.

 

Student Electronic Signature Printed Name:        I acknowledge that every state may have different licensure requirements.  I acknowledge that Walden does not have authority over state licensure requirements and that I must confirm any requirements with my state.  I recognize that state boards may change licensure requirements and it is my responsibility to remain current regarding any and all licensing requirements in my state.  I acknowledge that Walden University cannot provide a definitive listing of additional required courses in any particular state and that Walden University cannot guarantee that any degree program will lead to licensure in any particular state.   Student email address (provides authentication for electronic signature and thus must match the email address on file with Walden University):       Today’s Date:

 

 

 

Analyzing Skills for Credentialing

 

Counselor licensure occurs after students have completed a counseling master’s degree, passed state-specified examination(s), and accrued post-master’s supervised clinical experience. Each state or district (in the case of Washington, DC) regulates its own counselor licensure requirements.  As Walden does not have the authority to confirm the applicability of its courses to your state licensing board standards, it is your responsibility to confirm that you understand the requirements for the licensure you seek.

 

The purpose of the following activities is to assist you in building the necessary professional skills to analyze state licensing requirements.  You will analyze preselected diverse states with varying licensure requirements.  The goal of these activities is to expand your skills in analyzing state rules, laws and regulations regarding licensure as a counselor.

Through the process of examining multiple state licensure regulations, you will be able to apply the same examination for understanding your specific state’s requirements. Additionally, it is the intention of this activity to note the variability that exists between states regarding licensure requirements.

 

Website and contact information for state licensure boards can be accessed via the following link available through the American Counseling Association: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/state-professional-counselor-licensure-boards.

 

Website and contact information for state licensure boards can be accessed via the following link available through the American Counseling Association: http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/state-professional-counselor-licensure-boards.

 

Post-Master’s Supervised Clinical Experience:

 

 

Students are responsible for analyzing all post-degree criteria.  We do not keep track of this information.  We are willing to help you find the information, but you are ultimately responsible for knowing the criteria.  State licensing boards and credentialing boards are the ONLY authority that can accurately provide consultation on credentialing requirements. 

 

Post-Master’s Supervised Clinical Experience involves the work you do as a master’s level clinician. You should be in a part or full time paid counseling position while accruing these hours. The required number of hours will differ from state to state. Some states allow for the hours gained during practicum and internship to be applied toward the total hours, some states do not. Many states have specific requirements regarding WHO can provide your supervision, with most states requiring supervision from a licensed counselor with a supervisory credential.

 

 

Complete this chart for the states identified:

 

	EX: AL http://www.abec.alabama.gov/	EX: VA http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/	LA http://www.lpcboard.org/	IN http://www.in.gov/pla/3032.htm
Number of direct client hours required	2,250	2,000
Number of indirect hours required	750	~1,400
Total number of counseling-related hours required	3,000	3,400 hours of postgraduate supervised counseling experience, including 2,000 hours of direct client contact.
Can you use hours from your Field Experience during your master’s training? (Yes or No.)	no	Graduate-level internship hours may count toward the 4,000 hours.
Can you substitute any post-master’s supervised hours for additional coursework? (Yes or No/How much?)	Yes/1,000 hours for every 15 semester hours of post-master’s counseling related instruction - up to 2,000 hours total	Not specified
Minimum number of years of supervised practice (if noted)	Indicates 3,000 hours so no minimum year requirement	Not specified
Number of supervision hours required (weekly, monthly, etc)	50 hours per year of face-to-face and 50 hours per year of “other”	200 hours of supervision required
Supervisor’s required level of licensure (LPC, LCPC, etc.)	Supervising LPC	(100 hours must be under the supervision of an LPC approved by the board).		.