LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor, and it designates an individual who has completed a certain amount of education and kind of training who practices counseling or psychotherapy at a clinical, professional level. The meaning of this license can vary by state as well as what constitutes a licensed counselor. In this article, the meaning of LPC will be clarified for people who are interested in becoming a professional counselor as well as for clients of counselors who are seeking clarification on the professional identities of their providers.
What does LPC stand for?
LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. The LPC is a state-issued license conferred upon individuals who have met certain requirements for the practice of counseling and psychotherapy within their state. As such, it is not a degree or a certification, but rather a professional license, much like an attorney’s Bar number or a medical license for a physician. Each of these licenses are conferred upon an individual who has completed specific training and education requirements, maintains good standing with the regulatory board of the state of their unique profession, and actively practices their profession.
LPCs practice psychotherapy or counseling, terms which can be used interchangeably. An individual who has an LPC after their name has achieved at least the following: completion of a masters degree in clinical mental health or a related field (e.g., clinical psychology), completion of supervised clinical hours following completion of the masters degree, and passing of necessary testing requirements for their state, including a national examination for counselors and a state jurisprudence exam.
Is an LPC a therapist? What an LPC is and is not
The short answer is yes: an LPC is a licensed therapist. This is different from a licensed physician. As such, LPCs cannot prescribe medications as physicians can.
I have noticed among friends as well as clients that the titles of Therapist, Counselor, Psychotherapist, etc., are often confused. It is understandable that, for a client, these titles sound remarkably similar, and that only professionals within the field are particularly familiar with the differences and similarities among titles and licenses. Let’s clarify these terms.
Therapist, Psychotherapist, and Counselor all roughly point to the same clinical practice, and they are not specific professional or legal designations. Some states used to have Registered Psychotherapists in the past for unique cases, but this is increasingly rare. These three titles are general terms, and are not usually directly regulated by any organization or board. They are not legal identifiers for a professional.
An LPC is a specific license regulated by a state board. An LPC may call themselves a psychotherapist or a counselor, for instance, but this refers more to the kind of work they do rather than their professional or legal identification. On the other hand, a Licensed Psychologist or even a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can practice psychotherapy or counseling, and may even refer to themselves as such, but this does not mean that they possess an LPC.
Therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling are words that all refer to the profession of mental health consultation, in which the diagnosis and treatment of mental health difficulties are practiced.
The difference between these titles and the LPC is therefore one of specificity. Many different licensed individuals can practice and call themselves any of these titles, but the LPC is a very particular track of education and training.
What does an LPC do?
Services an LPC provides
The work and professional life of an LPC is fairly broad and diverse. Though, generally speaking, LPCs work in a clinical capacity. That is, they work with people and treat mental health concerns. This can be referred to in numerous ways: psychotherapy, counseling, therapy, consultation, and so on.
Can an LPC diagnose?
An LPC’s authority to diagnose independently varies by state and license level. In a clinical capacity, the work of an LPC is grounded in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health concerns. What this looks like practically is that an individual is referred or comes on their own accord to consult with the LPC.
After some discussion and assessment (the assessment could be structured, as in an evaluation with specific questions, or unstructured, as in a conversation in which the therapist is listening for certain dynamics they are trained to listen for), the LPC may come up with a diagnosis, which represents their understanding of what the person is suffering from. Diagnoses can vary drastically, and there are literally hundreds, so knowing the diagnostic system well is crucial for this step in the therapeutic process.
After diagnosis, the LPC may work with the client to come up with a treatment plan, which includes specific therapeutic interventions to help the client with their troubles, all oriented toward the diagnosis. From there, the LPC may refer out (e.g., to a psychiatrist or other specialist) or work with the client either short term or long term to help the person resolve or come to terms with the difficulties of their life.
When written out, the process looks very clean and straightforward. But in practice, this work is very dynamic, with changing parts at every step of the way.
In addition to the dynamic aspect of psychotherapy, there are other kinds of clinical work that LPCs can and do practice. The process above is emblematic of individual counseling, where one client comes in and works with one therapist. But LPCs also often work with couples or even families. They may work with even more people at once in a group setting, and conduct therapy with six, eight, or even more people at a given time.
All of this, however, varies by state. While there is a broad consensus as to what LPCs are trained for and legally allowed to practice, there are differences between states.
Can an LPC prescribe medication?
One of the many things that may help people struggling with mental illness is medication. Medications are prescribed by psychiatrists (MDs or DOs) and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) and, in some states, psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs) who are appropriately trained and have obtained additional prescribing authority. In no state, and in no case, can an LPC prescribe medication to their clients. It is best practice for therapists to work closely with prescribing clinicians to best support their clients, however.
Where LPCs work
The environment is also highly variable. Many LPCs work in private practice, talking with clients in individual consultation rooms or remote from their computers at home. They may work in an ER at a hospital doing crisis evaluation and stabilization, or at an inpatient clinic like a psychiatric hospital or drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. The scope of the work environment of LPCs is getting increasingly broad, and you will even find that many major cities have hired LPCs to work with police on patrols to help de-escalate or assess for mental health concerns.
Independent, associate, and provisional licensure
There are different levels in the clinical licensure of counselors. It gets confusing to keep track of because there are different licensure titles for the same profession which differ by state. We have been discussing the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), but many states call this same level of licensure Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).. LPC, LPCC, LMHC, LCPC, and related titles are used differently by different states, and the same title may represent an independent or provisional license depending on the jurisdiction.
There are also some states (for example, Ohio) where the LPC is the dependent, provisional tier, and the LPCC the independent tier. However, this is uncommon.
But there are also associate-level and provisional licensure designations in each of these states. In states where the LPC is the independent license, non-independent licenses include Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) and Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC).
So, is the LPCC or LPC higher in this tiered system? Well, it depends on the state. In Colorado, for instance, LPCC is the provisional license and LPC is the independent license. In California, where LPCC is the highest license, LPC does not exist.
How do you become an LPC?
The path to becoming an LPC has multiple steps. First is the degree. LPCs must complete a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling or counseling psychology or a related title. Most masters-level programs in this field are oriented toward a specific license, so it’s always good to confirm with the program being considered which independent license it prepares students to acquire.
In the masters program, you will take a number of courses on a variety of topics: ethics, theoretical models, techniques, addiction, career counseling, research, and more. This is the time in one’s education to really dig into interests, talk with professors about their experience and knowledge, and work with peers in a lively environment.
There is also the question of accreditation when looking at masters degree programs. There are different kinds of accreditations out there in the field, all prioritizing different things. The two most popular and respected are the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the newer Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). While accreditation is not required in all circumstances, it makes the journey to acquiring an LPC overall more smooth.
After acquiring the masters degree comes the supervised hours. These hours are accumulated post-grad, and consist of direct clinical and indirect work under the supervision of an independently licensed clinician, typically an LPC. In some states, an LPC-S is required, the “S” meaning “Supervisor”. The number and type of supervised hours required vary by state, including direct and indirect clinical contact. Direct includes face-to-face clinical work (groups, individuals, families, etc.). Indirect includes writing treatment plans, attending consultations, collaborating with other professionals, and so on. On average, these hours take two to three years to complete.
During this time, the provisionally licensed counselor will be working on completing the necessary exams to practice in their state. This includes the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), and in some cases both. This, too, varies by state, and the exams are developed and administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).Depending on the state, applicants may also have additional state-specific testing or jurisprudence requirements.
When all of this is complete, the counselor will complete the state-specific application and be granted the LPC.. Once the counselor has acquired the LPC, it needs to be maintained until retirement by completing Continuing Education (CE) credits and renewing it every few years, and this timeline depends on the state.
The total timeline varies considerably depending on the graduate program, state requirements, supervised experience, and individual circumstances. . Of course, all of this comes after a bachelors is acquired, which can add up to four years on the front end!
LPC vs. other credentials
There is no shortage of credentials out there in the world of mental health and counseling. There is overlap between them sometimes (e.g., the same individual can have LPC and NCC), and there are incompatible or unrelated titles at other times (e.g., LCSW and LPCC). Let’s clarify how the LPC stands in relation to the other popular credentials.
LPC vs. LPCC, LCPC, LMHC, and LCMHC
LPCC, LCPC, LMHC, and LCMHC all indicate professional counseling licenses, as LPC does. However, the exact meaning and level of each title varies by state. That is, they are not nationally recognized or regulated credentials, but state-bound professional licenses.
LPC vs. LMFT
The difference between LPC and LMFT is not a matter of state differences for the same professional identity, but the difference between professions. An LPC credential designates a professional counselor, and an individual who is specifically trained to work with individuals and groups. An LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) is a professional who has specialized training in working with couples and families. The masters degree is different, the clinical training is different, and the licensing body is also different, from LPC.
LPC vs. NCC
While LPC is a state-regulated license to practice counseling and psychotherapy, the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential is a nationally recognized credential which has no bearing on the clinician’s capacity to practice counseling and psychotherapy. The NCC is a voluntary national certification. It does not itself provide legal authority to practice counseling.
LPC vs. LCSW
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) is a different profession altogether from the LPC and the profession of counseling. Social workers get a different master’s degree, receive different training, and follow different licensing requirements. While LCSWs can and often do practice psychotherapy, the professional license is different.
LPC vs. psychologist and psychiatrist
A psychologist holds a doctorate degree (either a PhD or PsyD) and a psychiatrist is a physician and holds a medical degree (MD or DO). Psychiatrists can prescribe medication in all states, and psychologists can prescribe in some states. Both of these professions can and often do practice psychotherapy as well.
LPC careers and salary
As mentioned above, the work life and environments of LPCs can vary tremendously. As such, so does their salary and pay. It is also very costly (both in financial terms and in terms of time and energy) to obtain an LPC and work as a therapist, so it is important to be familiar with job and salary outlooks.
Common work settings include community mental health settings, hospitals, rehab centers and inpatient centers, schools, colleges, and private practice. It is very common for practitioners early in their careers to begin in community health settings or hospitals and make their way to private practice later on.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks salaries for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, not LPCs in particular. These are the salaries from the BLS as of May 2024, and the following numbers should be taken very generally. The median annual wage is $59,190, with the lowest tenth below $39,090 and the highest tenth above $98,210.
In reality, the salary depends on area of living (e.g., salaries in NYC are higher than, say, Omaha, NE), license (e.g., LPCs are typically paid more than bachelors-level mental health technicians), and setting of work (e.g., private practice can range wildly depending on how many clients seen per week and what the LPC’s hourly rate is, while community mental health centers are usually paying around the $50-60k range).
Can an LPC practice in another state?
The LPC is a state-bound and state-regulated professional license. This means that, typically, acquiring an LPC in one state does not qualify a clinician to practice in another state. If a counselor is in the process of moving or would like to expand their telehealth practice by working across state boundaries, the options available will depend on the states involved.
One option is to acquire the LPC-equivalent license in the other state. For instance, if an LPC in Colorado will be moving to live and work in Florida, they must acquire the LMHC.
Another option is to join the Counseling Compact. This allows counselors in certain states (not all 50 are active participants in the Compact) to expand their “privilege to practice” (note: this is not another professional license, but a privilege added on to the LPC) in other states. In this case, an LPC from Indiana can remain in their home state, gain privilege to practice in Georgia using their Indiana-based LPC to work with Georgia-based clients via telehealth.
So, in short: an LPC by itself does not allow professionals to practice in other states. Another license must be obtained for another state, or the LPC can gain privilege to practice from the Counseling Compact.
How to verify an LPC’s license and choose a counselor?
For a multitude of reasons, transparency and accountability being the two most important, any LPC’s license number can be searched on their state’s database. This allows clients to verify if a license is active, file a grievance if needed, or verify the practitioner’s identity or disciplinary history. To get this information, simply visit the state’s licensing board website and there are usually fairly straightforward pathways to get to the license lookup. If it isn’t so straightforward (each state has a different website layout), the search bar will likely take you where you need to go.
Choosing a counselor can be a major step towards mental health and psychological growth. It is largely agreed that the relationship and feeling of comfort up front should be prioritized, and you can’t entirely predict that by looking at online profiles. However, there are some things a client can look for to help narrow their search.
First thing to note is that it isn’t uncommon to spend some time having consultations with different counselors to “get a feel” for the “right fit”. Counselors are aware of this during their consultations with new clients, and won’t take it personally if a client does not move forward with scheduling with them.
The next thing to do when choosing a counselor is reading a little about their history, education, style, and theoretical models of therapy. This is usually listed on their websites, professional directories (like Psychology Today or ZocDoc), or they can be asked in the initial consultation.
An advisor’s perspective
There is a lot to be said about the process of working towards and obtaining an LPC, and it can be a very unique journey for each person given the very nature of the work (mental health). I want to provide some of my unique perspectives as an LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate) and an LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor) in Colorado.
First, this work is often talked about as a kind of vocation or calling rather than a job, and there is some truth to that. It takes a certain kind of conviction and interest to want to pursue the long and costly education and licensing voyage to sit with and listen to people talk about their lives, their pains, their anxieties and losses, all day. But it can also be deeply rewarding work. There are many licenses which arrive at this kind of work (clinical mental health), and LPC is only one of them. In my experience, it is kind of the middle ground as far as cost and time. Many of the people I know who have worked towards LCSWs have completed their licensure requirements in a much shorter amount of time due to the nature of social work graduate school and accumulation of hours. On the other extreme is a doctorate, which can easily take six to seven years for just the graduate school alone.
Second, when I was entering into the field and starting my education, I had certain ideas about what it meant to be a therapist and hold an LPC license. First off, I thought the journey would be much more straightforward. There are, as in any area of life, twists and turns and unexpected curve balls. A necessary class may not be offered due to university funding cuts and the degree lengthens from three to three and a half years; an internship site is unable to bring in enough clients to reach those supervised hours in the two semesters they have to do so; there is a lot more case management work at the front end of the LPC career, and it isn’t all cushy private practice psychotherapy like we see in the movies. There is nothing wrong with having ideas about entering into the profession and LPC-formation, but it is important to temper those expectations. It is my only piece of straightforward advice to talk with provisionally licensed professional counselors to get an understanding of the first few years of their experience. Often, LPCs who are decades into their careers have mostly forgotten the nuances of early career LPC work.
Just as important as whether or not someone has an LPC is the kind of therapy they practice and how they carry themselves. An LCSW or LMFT can make just as effective a therapist as any LPC. What matters is their perspective on therapy, what modalities they use, and your comfort, as a client, with them in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many independently licensed professional counselors can become credentialed to bill insurance, depending on their license, state, insurer, and plan requirements. But that doesn’t mean every LPC does bill insurance. It is impossible to generalize and say that therapy is usually covered with an LPC, as it is the decision of each individual practitioner to use insurance. If you are a client looking to use insurance to help pay for therapy, ask the therapist or their front office what insurances, if any, they accept.
This varies by state and individual LPC. Generally, LPCs charge $100-250 depending on area, specialization, and experience. But it can easily dip below $50 on a sliding scale or above $350 for specialized treatment. Cost may vary by geography, specialization, experience, practice setting, and sliding-scale availability.
An LPC is clinically trained and their professional work is regulated by the state. Additionally, the services of a life coach cannot be covered by insurance.
Yes, but confidentiality has legal and ethical exceptions. These may include certain risks of serious harm, mandatory reporting requirements, court or legal requirements, and other circumstances defined by state law.
Yes, an LPC can provide a letter in support of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), but they are not required to if a specific counselor does not consider this within their scope of practice. This can be discussed with each individual provider.
Yes.
LPCs can accept and bill Medicaid or Medicare, but they do not do so necessarily. This should be discussed with each individual provider.
In the world of clinical mental health, it is ethical for therapists (including LPCs) to regularly seek supervision by more experienced clinicians to work through cases. In some states, supervisors are required to obtain an additional credential, after which their license becomes LPC-S, as in “Supervisor”.