The California Board of Behavioral Services (BBS) is responsible for issuing the Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials. Registering as an APCC allows you to complete a two-year period of supervised work experience that you need to qualify for LPCC licensure. Once you become a full LPCC you also have the option to use additional education and supervised experience to add marriage and family counseling to your scope of practice. Show
Steps Towards Counseling Licensure in CaliforniaThe general steps towards becoming a fully-licensed LPCC primarily include:
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC)Application process:
Renewing the APCC registration: Licensed Professional Clinical Counseling (LPCC)Application process:
Gaining authorization to treat couples and families as an LPCC: Renewing Your LPCC LicenseThe LPCC license expires every two years. To be eligible for renewal you must attest to completing 36 hours of continuing education, however it’s only 18 hours for your first renewal. A six-hour law and ethics course must be completed for each renewal. You can renew your license by mail with this form or online. The renewal fee is currently $195. If you have authorization to treat couples and families then you must complete six hours of continuing education in this subject area for each renewal period. How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in California?From the time you graduate from high school it takes approximately six years –four years in a bachelor’s program and two years in a master’s program– to fulfill the education requirement to register as an APCC. From that point it takes at least another two years to complete the supervised experience requirement needed to become an LPCC, marking a total of eight years. If you plan ahead, it needn’t take any additional time to become authorized to provide services for couples and families. ReciprocityYou can qualify for licensure via reciprocity, also referred to as licensure by credential, if you’ve held an LPCC-equivalent license in another state for at least two years. It must be current and unrestricted, and it must be a license for the highest level of independent clinical practice in the state. You will also have needed to complete education requirements for your out-of-state license that are similar to California’s. Before you can become licensed by credential, you’ll still need to pass the California Law and Ethics Exam and complete the following coursework:
Use this application to apply and include an out-of-state license verification form. If you don’t meet the requirements for licensure by credential, it’s possible to apply through the step-by-step process detailed above and qualify using education and supervised experience that was obtained out-of-state. Here is a detailed guide on how to qualify for the California LPCC license as an out-of-state candidate. Practicums and InternshipsTo meet the education requirement for APCC registration and LPCC licensure, your degree program must include a qualifying supervised practicum, internship, or field study experience that’s at least nine quarter (six semester) credits. It must involve direct client contact in a clinical setting, including at least 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling groups, families, and individuals. The experience you gain in your practicum or internship must provide experience in these topics:
Required ExamsOnce the BBS notifies you that your application for LPCC licensure is complete it will send you information on how to register with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for its National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). The exam is administered by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE), and the CCE manages the online ProCounselor portal used to register for the NCMHCE. The NCMHCE is computer-based and tests your knowledge using clinical simulations. You can find more information about this exam in the NCMHCE Handbook. Required Education and DegreesThe education requirement to qualify for registration as an APCC and subsequently become an LPCC is a master’s or doctoral degree with a counseling or psychotherapy focus, from a regionally or nationally-accredited institution. This must be at least 90 quarter (60 semester) credits. The degree must include 22.5 quarter (15 semester) credits of advanced coursework focusing on knowledge development of special populations or specific treatment issues. It must additionally include four quarter (three semester) credits in each of the following:
If you’re lacking qualifying coursework then in some cases you can make up for this by completing additional qualifying study. Within the context of the above courses, these topics must also be addressed:
You must also complete seven contact hours of child abuse reporting and assessment training. Additionally, your degree must include a qualifying internship or practicum. The BBS maintains a list of California schools on its website that offer qualifying LPCC education programs. Currently there are 50. Salary InformationCalifornia offers some of the best average annual salaries for counseling occupations in the nation, according to the following state-specific US Department of Labor data released in 2020. Of all states, California offers the highest average salary for educational, guidance, and career counselors, and the second-highest average salary for occupational therapists.
Types of Counseling CareersThe professionals listed above are 128,120-people strong in total. From that number:
ResourcesCalifornia Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) – It’s not every state that has a professional organization specifically dedicated to LPCCs, but California is one of them. Working through legislative advocacy, this organization works to uphold the credibility and effectiveness of LPCCs throughout the state. California Counselor Association (CCA) – This non-profit professional association serves its members hailing from the broad counseling areas of mental health, education, and career guidance. Benefits of joining include extensive networking opportunities, leadership and professional development, and a member directory. Founded in 1967, the CCA serves as an umbrella organization for 10 divisions and affiliates. California Association of School Counselors (CASC) – The mission of this professional organization is to provide advocacy and leadership for the school counseling profession throughout the state; to promote excellence. The CASC hosts conferences and other activities that are great for networking and gaining insights into this field. California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) – The 32,000 members of CAMFT include LPCCs, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, those in training, and students. This organization seeks to advance the cause and profession of marriage and family therapy, or which LPCCs can be a part. California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) – Serving as a hub for several types of professionals affiliated with addiction treatment, this organization provides opportunities for continuing education, networking, leadership development, and annual conferences covering a range of important issues. Career OpportunitiesMedi-Cal Behavioral Health Division (MCBHD) – Under the umbrella of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), counselors throughout the state are very familiar with the programs and services provided in partnership with the MCBHD, especially those through its Mental Health Services Division (MHSD). Felton Institute – For 131 years this organization has been proud to be the oldest nonsectarian, nonprofit social services provider in San Francisco. It centers evidence-based mental health services in order to provide an excellent response to the demand of human needs. UCLA Health – As the operator of an extensive clinic and primary care network for healthcare in the greater Los Angeles area, including several hospitals, this healthcare provider is particularly proud of its team of Behavioral Health Associates. Serving clients from seven locations, BHA’s services include psychotherapy and group psychotherapy. Summit Estate Recovery Center – Billing itself as a luxury drug and alcohol rehab center based in Silicon Valley, this company offers detox programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and rehab programs. Clients can choose from residential and outpatient options. Southern California Counseling Center – Founded in 1966 on the belief that no one should be denied mental health counseling services, this agency lives up to its original mission today from two LA locations. Every year it provides more than 40,000 hours of counseling services to nearly 5,000 clients at an average of $22 per session. How long does it take to become a counselor in California?Becoming a professional counselor in California requires 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience as a Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI) registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. PCCI registration requires completion of the LPCC education requirements above.
How much do licensed mental health counselors make in California?While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $143,493 and as low as $34,259, the majority of Licensed Mental Health Counselor salaries currently range between $61,070 (25th percentile) to $100,791 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $131,078 annually in California.
What qualifications do I need to be a mental health Counsellor?Your core practitioner training should be at the minimum level of a diploma in counselling or psychotherapy, but could be a bachelor's degree, master's degree or doctorate. These courses usuall run at further or higher education colleges or universities.
Can I be a counselor without a degree?Counseling is a growing field with a variety of job settings. Some counseling jobs require a degree, but not all. There are many continuing education opportunities available in the field of counseling. Joining a professional organization can help you hone your skills throughout your career.
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