An LMHP is a Licensed Mental Health Professional. It is an umbrella term that encompasses several licensed professions within the mental health sphere. This page will help you determine if your license qualifies as an LMHP. If you’re considering becoming a mental health professional, you may also use this page to help determine which profession is right for you. This page will not help you find a provider if you are looking for mental health services.
LMHP At a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What does LMHP stand for? | Licensed Mental Health Professional. |
| Is LMHP a specific license you can earn? | No, it’s an umbrella term for several different licensed professions in the mental health field. |
| Which professions can be called an LMHP? | Counselors, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists, depending on the state. |
| Does CACREP accreditation apply to every LMHP path? | No, CACREP applies only to the counseling-specific path. |
| Can an LMHP practice in another state? | Depends on the profession, covered in the “Can an LMHP Practice in Another State?” section. |
| How do I know which license I actually need? | Depends on your career goals, covered in the “Which Licenses Count as an LMHP?” section. |
What Does LMHP Mean?
“LMHP” stands for “Licensed Mental Health Professional.” It’s an umbrella term that refers to several different but related licensures within the mental health field. The term is used in two ways:
- As an informal, umbrella term to refer to any person licensed in a mental health field, including social workers, professional counselors, and psychologists. This meaning is used most frequently in job postings for mental health positions that require a license of some sort. You may also see this term used by insurance to refer to qualifications required to provide a specific mental health service.
- In Nebraska only, “LMHP” is a specific, protected license title (see the “LMHP vs. LIMHP” section for more details).
This page will detail what an LMHP encompasses, how to find out if your license qualifies you as an LMHP, and can help you determine which degree to pursue if you’re interested in becoming a mental health professional. Again, this page will not help you find a provider if you are looking for mental health services.
Which Licenses Count as an LMHP?
Several distinct professions can be called an LMHP. Because their day-to-day scopes overlap heavily, a catch-all term is useful for showing that a role could be filled by any of them. Below are the professions that may qualify.
- Professional counselors and mental health counselors. These professionals generally hold a master’s degree in counseling. Protected titles may include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA). Titles and license levels vary by state, so LPCC should not be treated as a universal associate or candidate-level credential. Learn more about the different counselor license titles and CACREP-accredited counseling programs.
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers. These professionals generally hold a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Protected titles may include Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). The exact titles, license levels, and scopes of practice vary by state. ASWB provides a general overview of how to get your first social work license, but applicants must confirm the requirements with their state licensing board.
- Marriage and family therapists. Marriage and family therapists generally hold a master’s degree and receive relational, systems-based training that focuses on couples and families as well as individual clients. MFT programs may be accredited by COAMFTE or, in some cases, MPCAC. Protected titles may include Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA).
- Psychologists. Psychologists generally hold a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD). “Psychologist” is a protected professional title, although education and licensure requirements vary by state. Psychology programs use APA accreditation rather than CACREP, CSWE, or COAMFTE. Depending on the state and the role, LMHP may also refer to
- Medical Professionals in Psychiatry, including an MD specializing in psychiatry, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, or a Physician’s Assistant. These professionals typically do not receive training in counseling or therapy, but are instead medical professionals trained in psychiatric medicine and psychopharmacology. These professionals are able to prescribe psychiatric medications.
LMHP vs. LIMHP
The names for professional licenses in mental health can be confusing, given that the protected titles for these professions vary state to state. One example (and common source of confusion) is professional counselors; in some states the title for a counselor is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), in others it is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
Nebraska is unique as it is the only state where “LMHP” is an actual professional license title. In Nebraska, professional counselors and marriage and family therapists can practice under the LMHP license and add a certification in professional counseling or marriage and family therapy in addition to their LMHP title, for a fee. However, adding the certification does not change the licensed provider’s duties or scope of practice. Here is a table giving a brief overview of the LMHP titles in Nebraska (DHHS).
| License Title | Scope |
|---|---|
| Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) | Can practice in mental health services under the supervision of an LIMHP, psychologist, or physician. |
| Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) | Can independently provide mental health services but cannot diagnose mental illnesses without consultation with an LIMHP, psychologist, or physician. |
| Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) | Can independently provide mental health services and diagnose mental illnesses. |
Does CACREP Accreditation Matter for LMHP Licensure?
CACREP accreditation applies specifically to the counseling profession. If you are enrolled in a counseling program, or have a master’s degree in counseling, then yes, CACREP or MPCAC accreditation will matter for your licensure. (If you are enrolled in an MPCAC program, double check that your state allows for MPCAC accreditation as some do not.) However, if your degree is in social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology, your profession has a different accrediting body. CACREP does not apply to these professions.
How to Become an LMHP: Education, Supervision, and Exam
The requirements to become an LMHP vary depending on the state and the professional license. You will need to check with your state’s licensing board to find out exactly what is required for your profession. If you are currently enrolled in a mental health program, your instructors or advisors may be able to help you understand your state’s requirements.
In general, licensing for mental health professionals follows the same path. An LMHP will be required to obtain a graduate degree in a relevant field, pass a licensing exam, and complete a certain number of supervised practice hours. You will likely be required to pay an application fee when you apply for licensure, as well as a reapplication fee each year.
The differences in licensure are typically in the number of supervision hours you must complete, and there may be some differences in when you take exams and which exams you take. For example, in Colorado, LCSWs must pass a Colorado jurisprudence exam in order to become licensed. (Department of Regulatory Agencies)
The number of supervised hours, the ratio of clinical supervision to work hours, and the exams required all vary by state and license, and there is no single national figure. To show what this looks like in practice, here is what I had to complete for my LCSW in Indiana:
- Complete a master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
- Pass the ASWB Clinical exam
- Complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience in clinical social work, under the supervision of an LCSW
- Complete at least 4 hours of face-to-face supervision with an LCSW per month for at least 24 months. (Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, 2026)
Is an LMHP the Same as a Licensed Counselor?
No. This is similar to how every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. LMHP is an umbrella term under which licensed counselors fall. However, there are other professions that also fall under this umbrella. You are only a licensed counselor if you completed a master’s degree in counseling AND have met all of the requirements for an LPC or LMHC in your state.
Can an LMHP Practice in Another State?
In short, if you want to practice in a state, you must have a license to practice in that state. Mental health professionals can hold licenses in multiple states. Additionally, some states are part of interstate licensure compacts, which allows practitioners with specific licenses in those states to practice in the other states in the compact. However, you may still need to apply for a multi-state license in order to practice in other states in the compact. If you are interested in practicing in other states, check if your state is part of the interstate compact for your profession.
- Counselors – Counseling Compact
- Psychologists – PsyPact
- Social Workers – Social Work Licensure Compact
- Marriage and Family Therapists – no interstate compact exists at this time.
Separate from the interstate compacts, a professional may also apply for licensure by reciprocity or endorsement in another state. If you are interested in practicing in multiple states, but your state is not part of any interstate compact, you may still apply for license reciprocity. Essentially, you submit your license in your home state as evidence that you have completed the requirements for licensure. You may still be required to meet any additional requirements for the second state’s licensure. For example, I applied for license reciprocity in Colorado. In order to receive my Colorado license, I also had to pass a Colorado jurisprudence exam and submit this along with my Indiana license. Neither of these states is in the Social Work Licensure Compact.
Advisor’s Perspective
For practical purposes, unless you live in Nebraska or are planning to work there, an LMHP is a very general, catch-all term that is used to show that a job could be held by someone with any of the LMHP licenses. In the mental health field, the day-to-day responsibilities of most counseling or therapy jobs could be held by someone with any one of these licenses. There is a lot of overlap in the scope of mental health professions, particularly between counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. In all of my workplaces as an LCSW, I have had colleagues in the same role as me who hold LPC/LMHC or LMFT licenses. If you hold one of these licenses and find a job posting requiring an LMHP, if you are interested in the job, you should apply for it!
When it comes to insurance, LMHP means much the same thing: you must hold one of these qualifying licenses in order to provide (and be reimbursed for) specific mental health services. Depending on the state, Medicaid, Medicare, and Tricare may have more specific requirements for certain services. Double check the requirements for your state’s public health insurances to be sure if your license type can provide the specific services you’re interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unless you live in Nebraska, no, it’s just a description of what you do. Put your actual license title (LCSW, LPC, etc.) on your business card instead. If you live in Nebraska, and you hold an LMHP license, then yes.
No. It just tells you that the provider holds a license in one of several mental health professions, and that they’re therefore qualified to provide mental health treatment services.
This is completely dependent on your state and your license. You will need to check your state’s licensing requirements.
This may depend on the employer. Read the job description carefully to see if your license applies. If it mentions providing counseling sessions, it’s more likely that an LPC/LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or Psychologist license is required. If it mentions prescribing powers, then it is probably only referring to a psychiatrist, NP, or PA, as these are the only professions that can prescribe medications. If you think your license qualifies, and you’re interested in the position, go ahead and apply! If it’s not a fit, the employer will tell you.
No, not necessarily. In order to prepare you to become an LMHP of any variety, the program needs to meet the state’s requirements for one of the licenses under the umbrella. This is where accreditation is important. If you are in a counseling program, it needs to be CACREP or MPCAC accredited (double-check with your state, though, as some states will only accept CACREP-accredited programs). If you are in a social work program, it needs to be CSWE-accredited. If you are in a marriage and family therapy program, it needs to be COAMFTE-accredited. Psychology programs need to be accredited by the APA.