LPCC stands for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. It is a professional license awarded to master’s level counselors. The exact title of licensed professional counselor varies by state, which will be addressed below. It is related to LPC and LMHC, and this difference will also be addressed below. The LPCC is not a degree or credential, but a state-issued license to practice clinical mental health counseling.
LPCC at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What does LPCC stand for? | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor |
| Is an LPCC different from an LPC? | Sometimes, depends on the state, covered in Section 3 |
| Is LPCC a higher credential than LPC? | Not universally, it depends on the state |
| Can an LPCC prescribe medication? | No, never, that requires a separate medical credential |
| Which states use the LPCC title? | Varies by state, see the state-by-state map in Section 4 |
| Does LPCC qualify for the Counseling Compact? | Yes, wherever it’s the state’s independent, top-tier counseling license |
What Is an LPCC?
An LPCC is a licensed counselor who helps people understand and manage emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns. Clients may work with an LPCC for issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or other challenges affecting daily life.
In practice, an LPCC meets with clients, evaluates their concerns, establishes counseling goals, and uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches to support progress. The exact title, license level, and permitted responsibilities depend on the state, so readers should not assume that LPCC means the same thing everywhere.
What does “Clinical” mean in the title?
In the LPCC title, “clinical” means the counselor is trained and licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions within the scope allowed by state law. That is, it is a state-issued professional license to clinical practitioners who practice counseling, have a National Provider Identifier (NPI), and have completed clinical training as a part of their graduate and post-graduate experience.
There isn’t a non-clinical counseling license, but some states do not use the term “clinical” in their license. For instance, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) is a clinical license equivalent to LPCC, but does not use the word “clinical” in the license title. What it designates is that the individual has accumulated a certain number of supervised clinical hours during their graduate practicum and internship years as well as a certain number of supervised clinical hours after their master’s program.
Training and education to become an LPCC means that a professional has undergone the foundations in clinical counseling, and this provides the legal and ethical basis of their practice. This does not necessarily signify that the counselor is trained in any specialty (e.g., trauma or addiction counseling). Professional counselors often pursue specialized clinical training later in their career. The LPCC ensures that the public, and the client, can ensure that the professional has received and understands the training and professional responsibilities of professional counseling.
LPCC vs. LPC: What’s Actually Different
The short answer is: sometimes LPC is the same as LPCC, and sometimes they are different tiers. What differentiates an LPCC and an LPC varies by state, and can get tricky, so it’s worth spending some time on it here. Each state has their own regulatory and licensing boards with their subsequent requirements for becoming a licensed counselor. There is often quite a bit of overlap, but there is also quite a bit of difference. It is not on the fault of the inquirer that this question comes up. The structural inconsistencies of the field as far as licensure goes varies considerably from state to state, and the field of professional counseling has not been as diligent at maintaining unity and coherence as other related fields, such as clinical psychology and social work.
In many states, LPCC stands for, as mentioned, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor. The key insight here is whether the state we are looking at considers LPCC or LPC the terminal (that is, highest tier) degree for master’s-level clinicians.
For instance, in Colorado, LPCC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, which is the temporary (around two years) license individuals have in the state under which they practice clinical mental health counseling. Once an LPCC completes their 2,000 supervised hours, they are eligible to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which is the terminal license in Colorado.
However, in other states, like California or Kentucky, LPCC is the terminal license, while the LPC doesn’t exist in their state at all.
| State | What LPCC means | What LPC means | Independent license |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate | Licensed Professional Counselor | LPC |
| California | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | Not used as the state counseling license title | LPCC |
| Kentucky | Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor | Not used as the independent counseling license title | LPCC |
So, the difference between LPC and LPCC isn’t a flat answer applicable to the entire U.S. It really depends on the state under consideration. In some states, they are equivalent; in others, there is a genuine difference in terms of tiers. It’s best to recognize that, no matter the name of the tiers, each state has two levels of licensure for master’s-level professional counselors. The first is the associate, provisional, conditional, or candidacy license, and this is conferred upon graduation from the master’s degree program. The second, higher or terminal tier is conferred upon completion of exams and supervised hours.
The importance of tiers matters tremendously, however. The lower, provisional tier, is a more limited license. The provisionally licensed counselor must practice under a supervisor, cannot diagnose or treat independently, and cannot bill insurance independently. Once this professional has shifted into the level two tier, which is an independent license, these activities become available for the counselor. Provisional license is temporary, and only passed through one time, following completionof graduate school.
To recap: LPCC and LPC are sometimes equivalent tiers, and sometimes not. It depends on the state.
States That Use LPCC Title
Below is a list of states in which LPCC is used as a terminal license for professional counselors:
| State | Notes | Licensing Board |
|---|---|---|
| California | Independent license for professional clinical counselors. Established relatively recently (2009). | https://www.bbs.ca.gov/applicants/lpcc.html |
| Kentucky | Uses LPCC for the fully licensed independent counselor; associates are LPCA. | https://lpc.ky.gov/ |
| Minnesota | Has both LPC and LPCC. The LPCC is the higher-level clinical license that allows independent diagnosis and treatment. | https://mn.gov/boards/behavioral-health/applicants/apply/apply-for-lpcc.jsp |
| New Mexico | Uses both LPC and LPCC. LPC is the supervised license; LPCC is the independently licensed clinician. | https://www.rld.nm.gov/boards-and-commissions/individual-boards-and-commissions/counseling-and-therapy-practice/ |
| North Dakota | Uses LPCC as the independent clinical license. | https://www.ndbce.org/index.shtml |
| Ohio | Uses both LPC and LPCC. LPC is the initial provisional license; LPCC is the advanced independent clinical license. | https://cswmft.ohio.gov/preparing-for-a-license/counselors/LPCC-LICENSURE |
Updated July 13, 2026
LPCC vs. LMFT
With all the four-letter acronyms out there in the field of clinical mental health, you may have come across LMFT. How is this different from LPCC? LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and, while it also involves a master’s-level degree, clinical training, and licensure hours, the track is different from that of the LPCC. LMFT education and training prepares people to work with systems (couples and families) as well as individuals, whereas LPCC specializes in individual counseling. People with the LMFT license learn to see issues from a systemic perspective, meaning they take into account the behaviors and relational dynamics of the group that the individual is involved in, whether that is a family of six or a couple of two.
In addition to the theoretical and clinical differences between LMFT and LPCC, the professional identities differ. Master’s programs leading to LPCC are accredited by CACREP or MPCAC, while LMFT’s are accredited by COAMFTE. LMFT’s also have a different master’s degree, which is usually called Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling. Both licenses require the degree, professional licensing exam, and supervised hours.
LPCC vs. LCSW
Another professional license in the field is the Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or LCSW. Similar to LMFT’s, social workers are trained to see systems when looking at issues, but on a broader scale, including programs, hospitals, cities, and agencies. In addition to their education in systems, LCSW’s can also work with individual clients in a clinical capacity.
Social workers typically work in a broader variety of settings than professional counselors, including governmental agencies, institutions, and larger groups. They receive training and education in identifying systemic problems and systemic solutions. LCSW’s have the same level of clinical capacity as LPCC’s: they can diagnose, create treatment plans, treat, and bill insurance for mental health disorders.
The major difference between LPCC and LCSW as far as licensure goes is the educational track and accreditation body. LCSW’s are also master’s-level clinicians, but their program is called Master’s in Social Work (MSW). Master’s programs leading to the LCSW are accredited by the CSWE, which is entirely separate from CACREP and MPCAC. Both licenses require the degree, professional licensing exam, and supervised hours.
The LPCC professional track, in particular, focuses on individual and group psychotherapy and counseling. An LPCC student can expect the majority of their coursework to be centered around the history, theories, research, and ideas which drive the modern practice of professional counseling. There is some education around systems (larger systems like government and communities as well as smaller systems like families and couples), but without sustained attention or detail.
What Can an LPCC Do? Scope of Practice
LPCC’s are trained, educated, and licensed in a large scope of clinical practice. This primarily includes diagnosis, treatment planning, assessment, and treating of mental health disorders or mental illness. LPCC’s use the diagnostic system in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) to diagnose psychiatric disorders (or mental health disorders) ranging from Major Depressive Disorder to Antisocial Personality Disorder to Schizophrenia. The diagnosis then allows the LPCC to create a treatment plan, submit to insurance companies for reimbursement, and treat the individual using therapeutic modalities and techniques, of which there are countless.
The details of the day-to-day work of an LPCC may differ vastly from another LPCC in the same state or even region. For instance, some LPCC’s work only as a clinician, providing a treatment like Psychodynamic Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to individual clients who come to see them in their office. In the same city, another LPCC is working as a crisis clinician with the police department, helping de-escalate high-risk situations where mental illness is involved. No matter the specific role, LPCC’s share the orientation of diagnosis and treatment of mental health concerns.
Most LPCC’s work as psychotherapists (or counselors, which is the same thing) with individuals who are seeking relief and support for mental illness concerns. This kind of work is done in outpatient private practice or group practice settings or higher levels of care, such as intensive outpatient (IOP) or hospital settings. Some LPCC’s work in managerial or administrative roles upon completing clinical training, preferring to think and work at the systems level rather than the individual level. Still others work as professors or consultants in educational and professional settings.
A note on supervision: In most states, LPCC’s can only supervise other LPCC’s. However, LCSW’s can supervise LPCC’s and LCSW’s. This is something to be aware of, regardless of whether it is an important part of the decision making process.
LPCC’s cannot prescribe medication under any circumstances in any state. Prescribing is allowed only by psychiatrists (MD’s or DO’s), nurse practitioners (NP’s) and, in some states, psychologists (PhD’s or PsyD’s).
Is an LPCC the same as a Therapist?
The term “therapist” is an extremely broad and unregulated term. There are massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and so on. Included under this informal umbrella are mental health therapists, which is also an unregulated title. Psychotherapy, however, is a specific regulated service performed by individuals who are licensed as any of the following: LCSW, LMFT, LP (Licensed Psychologist), and LPCC.
So, while LPCC is not equivalent to the title of “therapist”, it allows individuals to practice psychotherapy or mental health therapy in a professional capacity. Often, LPCC’s will refer to themselves, shorthand, as therapists or as counselors. Therapist is not in itself a regulated or professional title.
How to become an LPCC: Education, Supervision, and Exam
The path to becoming an LPCC has multiple important steps to be taken in order. First, one must complete a master’s degree. The degree titles vary by name: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Health Psychology, etc. The important point is to make sure that the degree prepares the student to work towards the LPCC track. This can be confirmed by speaking with advisors or reading on the university’s website. Master’s degrees in these areas usually take 2.5 to 4 years to complete, taking the student through coursework and into practicum and internship, where students begin to see clients under supervision at the university and at local sites.
After completing the master’s degree, the student must sit for one or two exams, and technically these can be completed in the last phase of the degree (internship). Which exams are required depends on the state, per National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) standards.
The first exam is jurisprudence, which varies by state. This exam ensures that the student has a grasp of the legal, professional, and ethical domains of professional counseling.
The second exam is the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). The NCE and the NCMHCE are exams which test the student’s theoretical and clinical knowledge of the field of counseling. Different states have different requirements for these exams. For instance, in Colorado, counselors take the NCE; in Indiana, the NCMHCE is required. It is not uncommon for counselors to take both at some point in their professional lives to gain larger interstate reciprocity (which is becoming increasingly null as the Counseling Compact takes effect in more states) or move states. University professors and administrators will know and prepare students for the exam specifically required in the state of the program.
After graduation, the student becomes an associate or candidate licensed counselor. It is during this time that most counselors take the exams. The other primary focus for the budding LPCC is collecting supervised hours. This varies widely from state to state. To use Colorado again, 2,000 hours over the course of two years is required to become fully licensed. In California, 3,000 hours over 104 weeks is the requirement; and in Florida, 1,500 hours are required. These requirements also differentiate between clinical and non-clinical hours as well as how many hours of direct supervision is needed. It’s impossible to give a nationwide answer to the question of supervision, and how long this stage of licensure will take. However, most states require an average of 2,000 hours of supervised clinical work, with some outliers (ranging 1,500 to 3,000 hours). Supervision during this period looks like meeting regularly (usually weekly) with an approved supervisor to discuss cases, ethical and legal considerations, and professional development. This stage of LPCC formation is absolutely critical to the long-term success of professional counselors. Supervision is formative to any therapist, and getting solid, consistent supervision from an experienced clinician can make transition into independent practice significantly more manageable and professionally grounding.
Before enrolling in a program, it is important to view the entire process of education, practicum, and internship, and how these processes align with state regulations and accreditation standards in the industry.
At this point, the prospective LPCC has acquired a master’s degree, completed jurisprudence and the NCE or NCMHCE, and completed the supervised hours required by their state. The last step is simply to accumulate all of the required paperwork (transcripts, signed hours, etc.) and submit it to the state’s regulatory board. Turnaround of this material varies by state, but expect up to a month or so to receive the license, which will come as an email, in the physical mail, or in the government portal used to apply. Once you have a copy of this license, nothing more is needed, and you can begin practicing as an LPCC in your state. Keep an eye on the expiration date, however, as this timeline varies from state to state. Counselors must renew their licenses according to their state board’s schedule and complete any continuing-education requirements established by that board. As a gentle suggestion, it is helpful to keep meticulous track of all of the steps in one file somewhere safe. The entire process of becoming an LPCC can last four or more years. A lot of life happens in four years, so it is good practice to maintain consistent records of everything, and you might thank yourself for doing so when it is time to submit everything to the state board!
LPCC and the Counseling Compact
LPCC’s are uniquely privileged within the Compact. If an LPCC clinician lives and practices in a state which is actively participating in the Compact, they can use their license to gain privilege to practice in another state which is participating in the Compact.
Other licenses (LMFT, LCSW, school counselors, etc.) do not qualify for the Compact. Additionally, license-holders who are still in the process of accumulating supervised hours do not qualify for the Compact, even if their license title is “LPCC”. In Colorado, an associate is LPCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate), but does not qualify because it is not the terminal license.
Currently, the states which are live in the Compact are Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana, and Georgia. If you are an LPCC in any of these states, you can gain privilege to practice in any of the other states listed here. Note that “live” is not the same as “enacted” in terms of legislation. Many states have enacted the Compact which are not yet live, which is the final stage of the process in which the Compact becomes functional.
List updated on 07/17/2026
Advisor’s Perspective
If licensing titles seem confusing from the outset, particularly if you are looking at interstate reciprocity, you are not alone. I am currently an LPCC, but the provisional type. I live and work in Colorado, so my LPCC is Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, which is not the terminal version of LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor). Indeed, in my state, the terminal license I will acquire once I complete supervised hours is LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). What a mess! When I am looking into moving or interstate reciprocity, and even in the writing of this article, I have had to carefully consider what I understand when I read “LPCC”, which depends on the context.
Thankfully, the emergence of the Counseling Compact is modernizing and unifying the field of professional counseling. Until recently, each state’s counseling profession felt very isolated from its neighbors. And if a counselor was moving or seeking to work with telehealth across state lines, there would undoubtedly be an administrative burden to ensure that education and training would be equivalent across state lines. I always joked that it must be that human psychology in Texas is vastly different from human psychology in Colorado, otherwise the profession wouldn’t be as insistent as keeping them separate and independent!
The unification of the field under the Compact allows the LPCC title to gain a little more of a universalizing status which is recognizable by professionals and administrators across the country. Until this process is complete, we must cope how we can with the seemingly infinite acronyms in our field!
Pursuing an LPCC (LPC in my state) is a long but rewarding path. If your end goal is clinical work in the counseling profession, it’s worth looking into all of the options available. It made sense for me because I was more interested in doing individual and group therapy and less interested in working with families, couples, or systems. I envisioned myself in a private office setting, practicing psychotherapy with one person at a time, exploring their issues in-depth over a long period of time, and offering some assistance to help them find some relief. In hindsight, this option worked out well for me, and the path to licensure has been fairly straightforward, if a little tiring at times. It has allowed me flexibility in how and where I work, all with a focus on clinical psychotherapy. I have also additionally obtained a terminal license specialized in addictions counseling (Licensed Addiction Counselor, or LAC). I do not believe these are present in all states and, if they are, there is very little professional cohesion in the field of addiction counseling. This additional license has both honed my clinical skills for a highly needed area of client care as well as opened professional doors that otherwise would have been closed for many more years into my career. There are some programs in the U.S. which offer dual-track licensure. You may want to consider this if it is a possibility for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
LPCC stands for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. In some rare cases (e.g., Colorado), it stands for Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate.
If the program is accredited by a major accrediting body (e.g., CACREP or MPCAC), then you can become an LPCC after completing an online or hybrid master’s program. Especially since COVID, programs have increasingly embraced a flexible learning environment, which works especially well if counseling is a second career, and schedule flexibility is a priority.
No. While every state offers some form of licensure for master’s-level professional counselors, the LPCC license is only in certain states (listed under section 4 of this article).
LPCC is portable if it is maintained in a state which is in the Counseling Compact. See section 10 of this article for details.
Not necessarily. Some states use LMHC or LPC to refer to the same tier of licensure as LPCC. There are exceptions, however. For instance, in Colorado, LPCC is a lower tier than LPC.
Kind of. It isn’t really a question of “moving” licenses. It is possible to gain another license, or gain reciprocity in another state, or gain privilege to practice in another state through the Compact. However, there isn’t a need to complete a new master’s degree.