Mental health counselor requirements: from degree to licensure

It's no secret that the United States is in the middle of a mental health crisis. In 2023, almost one in four American adults and one in three youth experienced mental illness.¹ U.S. workers also feel more burned out and stressed than before the COVID-19 pandemic, which takes a toll on their mental well-being.²

Professionals in mental health are undeniably in demand. If you want to help people feel their best, consider a career as a mental health counselor. You can diagnose, create treatment plans, and provide valuable support to clients, whether they have anxiety about public speaking or a more severe issue like schizophrenia.³ Someone who's addicted to online sports betting, for instance, may visit a mental health counselor for cognitive behavioral therapy.⁴

Before joining this rewarding field, however, you need the right credentials and expertise to offer professional guidance and treatment. This post breaks down the necessary degrees, licenses, and other important considerations for fulfilling all mental health counselor requirements.

Mental health counselor educational requirements 

While you may enjoy offering advice to friends and family members in need, taking the step toward working professionally in mental healthcare starts with acquiring at least a bachelor's degree. Professionals often major in fields like psychology and social work. If you want to become a mental health counselor or clinical psychologist, you'll need a master's degree.³

Every program has its own curriculum, but master's students typically study these core subjects:

• Assessment 
• Evidence-based counseling theories 
• Family and group interventions 
• Human development 
• Professional identity and ethics 
• Research methods 

Accredited programs 

Learning how to become a licensed mental health counselor starts with choosing the right master's program. Look for programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This external organization checks that counseling programs meet certain educational standards, such as teaching students about ethical behavior and inclusion.⁵

Accredited programs come in many formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid. You may prefer an in-person program if you live near campus or enjoy mingling with peers face-to-face. For people with busy work schedules or family responsibilities, online and hybrid programs might offer the perfect amount of flexibility.

No matter the format, choosing an accredited program gives you more professional credibility. Potential employers and clients can trust that you've received a high-quality education that covers all the foundations. Also, you may not be able to get licensed as a professional counselor without a degree from an accredited program, which means all your hard work wouldn't help advance your career.⁶

Supervised clinical experience 

Mental health counselor education requirements usually include supervised fieldwork. These experiences allow you to practice applying all the knowledge and skills you've learned with real patients.

You're not flying solo, though. Faculty and clinical supervisors oversee all your appointments and offer guidance as necessary. If a client asks you on a date, for instance, you may ask a professor for advice about handling the awkward situation ethically. Or if you're not sure about the right intervention for someone with severe depression, you can talk through the options with a supervisor.

These supervised experiences can take place in many settings, including hospitals and private practices. The number of required hours varies by state, so check with your state board ahead of time.⁷

Licensure process 

Getting licensed is one of the main requirements for mental health counselor jobs. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), you can diagnose people and provide counseling. However, you aren't authorized to prescribe medication–only a psychiatrist can do that.⁸

All 50 states require mental health counselors to pass an exam to get licensed. There are two options: the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Some states require you to pass both exams, while others mandate a specific exam or allow aspiring counselors to pick one.⁹

You may also need to pass a background check and take additional coursework or exams. For example, you must pass the California Law & Ethics Exam to practice in that state.¹⁰ Always check with your state to make sure you're completing all the necessary mental health counselor requirements.

Additional certifications

Your educational journey doesn't have to stop when you meet the minimum mental health counselor degree requirements. Many professionals earn specialty credentials from the National Board for Certified Counselors and other organizations. For example, National Certified School Counselors support at-risk youth and families in school settings.¹¹ Meanwhile, Master Addictions Counselors focus on people with substance use disorders and other addictions.¹²

These credentials can help you gain more specialized knowledge and unlock new career opportunities. If you're passionate about working with young people, for instance, earning a school counseling certificate may be a logical next step.

Continuing education 

Fulfilling the mental health counselor education requirements isn't a one-and-done situation. You need to continually grow your knowledge and skills to keep up with changes in the field. Without this training, you might use outdated treatment options or miss out on new tools, like AI software for writing case notes.

Every state has continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain your counseling license. You can earn CE credits for many activities, such as volunteering your services for a nonprofit organization or taking seminars.¹³

Resist the urge to meet your requirements with easy or random CEs. Instead, look for opportunities that will support your professional growth and goals.

Step into your future as a licensed mental health counselor 

With mental health issues on the rise, there's no time like the present to start a counseling career. You can make a real difference by helping people cope with addiction, depression, and other mental disorders.

It all starts with getting the proper education, including earning a master's degree and then passing a licensing exam. CACREP's directory makes it easy to find accredited programs.¹⁴ Meanwhile, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) breaks down state licensing requirements.⁷

Turn your passion for helping others into a career with Oklahoma City University's Online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. You'll expand your knowledge through rigorous coursework and hands-on skills labs. Plus, the curriculum includes practicum and internship courses, so you can gain plenty of field experience along the way. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as two years, while part-time students can move at their own pace.

Check out OCU's admissions requirements or schedule an appointment with an admissions outreach advisor today.