How to Become a Counselor in Maine
How Do I Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Maine?
Similar to Illinois and Tennessee, the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals offers a two-tiered system for professional counselors: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). These licenses represent two unique disciplines with several areas of overlap. While the two licenses share much of the same emphasis, the requirements for education and supervision are more advanced for the clinical license. Either way, future counselors are required to practice with a conditional license under supervision before they can apply for full licensure as either an LPC or LCPC. The Maine Board of Counseling Professionals FAQ can help you decide which license is right for you.
What Are the Requirements to Become a Counselor in Maine?
Whether a future counselor in Maine will be dealing with the increasing gambling problem plaguing the state, doing social work on the streets of Portland, or family therapy in Kennebunkport they’ll need all the education and experience required of them by the Maine Board of Counseling Professionals. As the Maine Clinical Counselors Association states, counselors in Maine are proud to maintain a holistic and collaborative approach in helping the people they serve.
Whether pursuing the LPC or the LCPC, future counselors are required to complete graduate coursework, receive a passing score on the National Counselor Exam(NCE), and complete the necessary supervised experience. This mixture of a qualified degree, from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or a degree in rehabilitation counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with supervised experienced gives a future counselor the skills and experience they’ll need to best serve the people of Maine.
What Are the Supervised Experience Requirements to Become a Counselor in Maine?
Applicants pursuing either the LPC or LCPC license must acquire a conditional license (LPC-C & LCPC-C) before obtaining board approved supervision. Future counselors are then required to complete at least two years’ counseling experience under the supervision of a senior clinician in order to receive their full license. The supervisor must be an LCPC, LMFT, Licensed Pastoral Counselor, LMSW-CC, LCSW, CSW-IP, licensed psychologist, or licensed psychiatrist and fulfill the board's requirements for either years of licensure experience or supervisory training.
LPC Requirements
2000 hours of which 1000 hours must be acquired during direct counseling with individuals, couples, families or groups. In addition, a minimum of 67 hours of supervision with at least 34 hours of individual supervision.
LCPC Requirements
3,000 supervised hours of which 1,500 hours must be acquired during direct client contact. In addition, a total of 100 hours of individual supervision is required. Of the 100 hours, 50 hours are allowed in a group setting.
In either case, commitment on the part of the supervisor and the licensee to keep good records will ensure accuracy and a well-documented application for a full license.
What Are the Examination Requirements to Become a Counselor in Maine?
Maine’s Office of Licensing and Registration’s Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure requires a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), for either a conditional or full licensure.
The NCE consists of 200 multiple choice questions designed to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities of licensure candidates. You will receive your score within 8 weeks of the examination. Study guides are available via the NBCC.
Note: For more information on how to become a counselor in the state of Maine, please visit the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure.
Counseling Career Outlook In Maine
According to Education News, between 2006 and 2010 professional counselors in Maine realized a 22% increase in salaries. Salaries ranged from $27,998 per year to $72,312. The Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers reveals an average income of between $35,000-$44,000 per year for professional counselors in Maine. Salaries vary greatly depending on the level of education, specialization, location, licensing, and the type of counseling provided.
