Steps to Becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Published on: November 5, 2025

Choosing a career as a mental health counselor is a powerful way to support individuals, families and communities through some of their most challenging moments. The path to gaining licensure is structured and intentional, with each stage designed to build your knowledge, skills and confidence. This guide will walk through the key steps of becoming a mental health counselor, from completing supervised clinical experience to preparing for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). We’ll also highlight how Husson University’s mental health counseling program can support you at each step toward licensure and long-term professional growth. 

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What Is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)? 

A licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) is a trained professional who provides psychotherapy, assessment and support to people dealing with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges and everyday stress. LMHCs use evidence-based counseling approaches to help clients understand their emotions, build coping skills and make meaningful changes in their lives.  

They often work in settings such as community clinics, private practices, hospitals, schools and integrated healthcare teams. Because they are licensed statewide, LMHCs must meet specific standards for education, testing and clinical training. Ultimately, this credential represents both a professional milestone and a commitment to ethical, person-centered mental health care. 

How to Become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor 

If you are exploring how to become a licensed mental health counselor, it helps to think of the process as a series of clear, structured milestones. In most states, you will move from your undergraduate studies into a counseling-focused master’s program, gain clinical experience, pass a national exam and then continue building your skills through ongoing professional development. 

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree 

The first step in becoming a mental health counselor is earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While specific majors are not always mandated, degrees in psychology, human services, social work or related behavioral sciences are strongly recommended, as they introduce you to key topics like human development, abnormal psychology and research methods. They also help you build a foundation in understanding behavior and mental health, making it easier to succeed in graduate-level counseling coursework and clinical training later on.  

Step 2: Complete a Master’s in Counseling or Related Field 

Next, you will need a counseling-focused graduate degree that meets your state’s LMHC licensure steps. Most states require a master’s in clinical mental health counseling or a closely related field. Many also expect a curriculum aligned with accreditation standards such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), including coursework in:  

• Counseling theories 

• Assessment 

• Diagnosis 

• Ethics 

• Multicultural counseling 

• Group counseling  

In addition, a strong curriculum should include practicum and internship experiences. These field experiences let you apply theory with real clients under supervision, which is critical for building practical counseling skills and preparing for post-graduate clinical hours and licensure. 

Step 3: Accumulate Post-Graduate Supervised Experience 

After completing your master’s degree, most states require you to complete a certain number of post-graduate supervised clinical hours before you can practice independently. Depending on the state, this can range from roughly 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised work over two to three years, often with requirements for both direct client contact and regular supervision by a qualified professional. Clinical training helps ensure you can apply your learning safely and effectively in real-world settings while receiving guidance on case conceptualization, ethics and professional decision-making. 

Step 4: Pass the National Licensing Exam 

Another key step to becoming a licensed mental health counselor is passing a national exam, most commonly the NCE or a similar test accepted by your state. The NCE typically covers areas such as human growth and development, counseling theory, group work and professional ethics, assessing whether you have the knowledge needed for entry-level practice. Many candidates prepare by reviewing their graduate coursework, using official study guides and taking practice exams, which can help build familiarity with the question format and reduce test anxiety. 

Step 5: Apply for State Licensure 

Once you have met the mental health counselor education requirements, completed your supervised hours and passed the licensing exam, you can apply for state licensure. This process usually involves:  

• Applying to your state licensing board 

• Providing transcripts and documentation of your clinical experience  

• Verifying your exam scores  

• Completing a background check  

• Paying any required fees 

Some states may also require additional forms or attestations from supervisors, so it’s important to review your state board’s instructions carefully and ensure all materials are complete before you submit. 

Step 6: Maintain and Renew Your License 

Earning your license is not the final step in your journey as a counselor. To maintain licensure, states typically require periodic renewal and completion of continuing education (CE) hours in topics such as ethics, diagnosis or specialized treatment approaches, often on a one- to three-year cycle depending on the state.  

Staying current with CE requirements not only keeps you in compliance with licensing laws but also supports continued growth as a clinician, so you can provide effective, up-to-date care throughout your career.  

Step 7: Consider Specializations and Career Advancement 

After meeting the core LMHC licensure steps, many counselors choose to specialize in areas such as:  

• Marriage and family counseling 

• Substance use counseling 

• Trauma-focused work 

• Child and adolescent counseling  

• School-based services  

Specializing may involve advanced training, certifications or post-graduate certificates that deepen your skills with specific populations. It can also open doors to leadership roles, supervisory positions or niche private practices. A clear specialty can help you build a strong professional identity aligned with the clients and communities you most want to serve. 

Job Outlook for LMHCs 

The job outlook for LMHCs is strong, reflecting growing awareness of mental health needs and ongoing demand for accessible services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034, driven by factors such as expanded insurance coverage and increased emphasis on integrated care in hospitals, schools and community settings.  

This positive trend means that LMHCs may find a wide range of opportunities in outpatient clinics, private practices, residential facilities and telehealth-based roles. For students who meet mental health counselor education requirements through a strong graduate program like Husson’s, the combination of solid preparation and a favorable job market can help support a sustainable, meaningful counseling career. 

Take Your Next Step Toward LMHC Licensure With Husson University 

If you are serious about becoming a mental health counselor, you now know the core milestones: earning a bachelor’s degree, completing graduate-level training, gaining supervised clinical experience, passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and following any state requirements. Each stage builds on the last, developing a foundation that prepares you to serve clients with skill and compassion.  

Husson University’s mental health counseling program is designed to support you through these stages with rigorous coursework, hands-on training and faculty who understand what it takes to grow into a confident licensed mental health counselor. If you are ready to turn your interest in helping others into a meaningful counseling career, explore Husson’s graduate programs and take your next step toward licensure today.