How to Become a Licensed Counselor in Michigan
To become a licensed counselor in Michigan, you need a master's degree in counseling (minimum 60 semester hours as of June 2023) with a 600-hour supervised internship, pass the NCE, NCMHCE, or CRCC exam, obtain your Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) status, then complete 3,000 post-degree supervised hours over 2+ years to qualify for full Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure. The complete process typically takes 8-9 years from a bachelor's degree to full licensure, with 2024 median salaries of $59,530.
Michigan's mental health landscape continues to evolve as demand for qualified counselors grows across the state. Whether you're a prospective student considering a counseling career or a professional from another state looking to practice in Michigan, understanding the licensure pathway is your first step toward helping Michigan residents navigate mental health challenges.
The Michigan Board of Counseling oversees professional licensure through a structured two-tier system designed to ensure counselors gain both educational foundations and real-world clinical experience before practicing independently. This comprehensive guide walks you through every requirement, timeline, and consideration for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan.
Table of Contents
- What is a Licensed Professional Counselor?
- Michigan's Two-Tier Licensing System
- Education Requirements
- Supervised Internship Experience
- Examination Requirements
- Applying for Your LLPC License
- Post-Degree Supervised Experience Requirements
- Applying for Full LPC Licensure
- Choosing the Right Master's Program
- Career Paths and Specializations
- Salary Expectations in Michigan
- Continuing Education and License Renewal
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Licensed Professional Counselor?
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is a mental health professional who provides counseling services to individuals, couples, families, and groups dealing with various mental health concerns. LPCs work in diverse settings, including private practice, community mental health centers, hospitals, schools, and substance abuse treatment facilities.
In Michigan, LPCs are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. They help clients work through challenges such as depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, grief, trauma, and life transitions. The Michigan Board of Counseling establishes the educational, experience, and ethical standards that ensure all licensed counselors meet professional competency requirements.
Michigan's Two-Tier Licensing System
Michigan uses a progressive licensing approach that allows new counselors to gain supervised clinical experience before practicing independently. Understanding this two-tier system is essential for planning your career timeline.
Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC)
The LLPC is your entry-level license immediately after completing your master's degree and internship. As an LLPC, you can provide counseling services under the supervision of a fully licensed professional. This provisional period allows you to build clinical skills while working toward full licensure. You can't practice independently as an LLPC, but you can work in various mental health settings under appropriate supervision.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
The LPC is Michigan's full, independent practice license. Once you earn your LPC, you can practice counseling without supervision, open a private practice, accept insurance reimbursement directly, and supervise LLPC candidates. This license requires substantially more post-degree clinical experience than the LLPC.
| Requirement | LLPC (Limited License) | LPC (Full License) |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Master's in Counseling | Same |
| Internship Hours | 600 supervised clinical hours | Same |
| Licensing Exam | NCE or CRCC passed | Same |
| Post-Degree Experience | None required | 3,000 hours (2+ years minimum) |
| Direct Supervision | Completed during internship | 100 hours during post-degree work |
| Independent Practice | No - must be supervised | Yes - fully independent |
| Insurance Billing | Through supervisor/employer only | Direct billing allowed |
Education Requirements
Your path to counselor licensure in Michigan begins with earning the right educational credentials. The Michigan Board of Counseling requires a master's degree specifically in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Master's Degree Requirements
Michigan requires a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution with specific coursework and credit hour requirements. As of June 2023, all new applicants must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours (or 72 quarter hours) in counseling-related coursework. Programs completed before June 2023 with 48 semester hours may still qualify, but current students should plan for the 60-hour requirement.
While Michigan doesn't mandate CACREP accreditation (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), CACREP-accredited programs typically meet or exceed Michigan's requirements and may offer advantages for licensure in multiple states. Non-CACREP programs must demonstrate substantial equivalence through a program evaluation.
Required coursework areas include:
- Counseling theories and techniques - Foundational approaches to therapeutic practice
- Human growth and development - Lifespan development and developmental psychology
- Social and cultural foundations - Multicultural counseling and diversity awareness
- Group counseling - Theory and practice of group dynamics
- Career and lifestyle development - Vocational counseling and career theory
- Assessment and testing - Psychological evaluation and measurement
- Research and program evaluation - Research methods and evidence-based practice
- Professional orientation and ethics - Counseling ethics and professional standards
Program Format Options
Michigan accepts both on-campus and online master's programs, provided they're from regionally accredited institutions. Many prospective counselors balance their education with work and family responsibilities through hybrid or online programs. When considering online counseling degrees, verify that the program requires in-person practicum and internship experiences, as clinical skill development requires face-to-face supervision and client contact.
Supervised Internship Experience
Your master's program must include a supervised clinical internship where you provide direct counseling services to clients. The Michigan Board of Counseling requires a minimum of 600 hours of supervised clinical experience during your degree program.
What Counts as Clinical Experience
Clinical hours must involve direct client contact, providing counseling services. This includes individual counseling, group counseling, couples therapy, and family counseling. Administrative tasks, case note documentation, and observation hours don't count toward your 600-hour requirement, although they're valuable learning experiences.
Supervision During Internship
Throughout your internship, you'll work under a qualified site supervisor who holds appropriate Michigan licensure (LPC, LMSW, LMFT, or psychologist). Your supervisor provides regular individual and group supervision, reviews your clinical work, and helps you develop professional counseling skills. Most programs require weekly supervision meetings where you discuss cases, receive feedback, and process your clinical experiences.
Examination Requirements
Before applying for your LLPC license, you must pass a nationally recognized licensing examination. Michigan accepts three different exams, giving you flexibility to choose the option that best aligns with your career goals and testing preferences.
National Counselor Examination (NCE)
The National Counselor Examination, administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), is the most commonly chosen exam for general counseling licensure. The NCE consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering eight content areas: professional practice, intake and assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling process, diversity issues, career development, and helping relationships.
You receive your score within eight weeks of taking the exam. The NBCC offers study guides and preparation materials to help you succeed. Many master's programs incorporate NCE preparation into their curriculum or offer dedicated exam prep courses.
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination, also from NBCC, takes a different approach by using case simulations instead of traditional multiple-choice questions. The NCMHCE consists of 10 clinical simulations with approximately 100 scored items that assess your ability to apply counseling knowledge to realistic client scenarios.
This exam measures clinical decision-making, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment planning skills through practical case studies. You have 4 hours to complete the examination. If you're specifically pursuing clinical mental health counseling, the NCMHCE may better align with your training and career focus.
Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification Examination (CRCC)
The CRCC examination is designed for counselors specializing in rehabilitation counseling. If you plan to work with clients with disabilities or in rehabilitation settings, the CRCC may be more relevant to your career path. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions across ten knowledge domains specific to rehabilitation counseling.
You should receive your test results within five weeks of your examination date. The CRCC provides detailed candidate handbooks and study resources to guide your preparation.
| Feature | NCE | NCMHCE | CRCC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | General counseling knowledge | Clinical mental health application | Rehabilitation counseling |
| Format | Multiple-choice questions | Case simulations | Multiple-choice questions |
| Number of Items | 200 questions | 10 simulations (~100 items) | 175 questions |
| Testing Time | 4 hours | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| Score Report Timeline | 8 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 5 weeks |
| Best For | Mental health, school, and career counseling | Clinical mental health counseling | Rehabilitation, disability services |
Submitting Your Scores to Michigan
After passing your exam, you must request that the testing agency send your official scores directly to the Michigan Board of Counseling. You can't submit scores yourself - they must come directly from NBCC (for NCE or NCMHCE) or CRCC. Keep this in mind when planning your application timeline, as score transfers can take several weeks. Michigan accepts scores from only one exam - you don't need to take multiple tests.
Applying for Your LLPC License
Once you've completed your master's degree, finished your 600-hour internship, and passed either the NCE or CRCC exam, you're ready to apply for your Limited Licensed Professional Counselor status. This license allows you to begin working as a counselor under supervision while accruing the experience needed for full licensure.
Application Process
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs handles all counselor applications. You'll submit a complete application packet that includes:
- Completed LLPC application form
- Official graduate transcripts showing your master's degree in counseling
- Verification of your 600 supervised internship hours
- Official exam scores sent directly from NBCC or CRCC
- Application fee (check current fee schedule on the board website)
- Criminal background check
Processing times vary, but you should expect 4-8 weeks from when the board receives your complete application. Don't begin working in a counseling role until you receive your official LLPC license number.
Post-Degree Supervised Experience Requirements
The journey from LLPC to full LPC licensure requires substantial clinical experience. Michigan mandates 3,000 hours of post-degree counseling practice completed over a minimum two-year period. This requirement ensures you develop seasoned clinical judgment before practicing independently.
What Qualifies as Post-Degree Experience
Your 3,000 hours must involve direct clinical work providing counseling services to clients. This includes individual therapy, group counseling, couples counseling, family therapy, and crisis intervention. Time spent in administrative tasks, supervision meetings, case documentation, or professional development doesn't count toward your 3,000 hours, although these activities remain important parts of professional practice.
You can accrue hours in various settings, including community mental health centers, hospitals, private practices, school counseling programs, substance abuse treatment facilities, or correctional institutions. What matters is that you're providing counseling services under appropriate supervision.
Critical Timeline Requirement
Michigan requires that you spread your 3,000 hours across at least two years. Even if you work full-time and could technically accrue 3,000 hours in less time, you must wait the full two-year minimum before applying for your LPC. This regulation ensures you gain experience across diverse situations and seasons of clinical practice. The timeline remains the same whether you work full-time or part-time, making this one of the longest supervised experience requirements nationwide.
Doctoral Degree Holders
If you completed a doctoral degree in counseling, Michigan's post-degree requirement is reduced to 1,500 hours (instead of 3,000) of supervised counseling experience. However, you still must complete this experience over a minimum two-year period. The supervision requirements remain the same, with at least 100 hours of clinical supervision from a qualified supervisor.
Supervision Requirements During Post-Degree Work
Throughout your 3,000 hours of post-degree work, you must receive 100 hours of clinical supervision from a Michigan-licensed supervisor. This supervision occurs in addition to any administrative supervision your employer provides. Your supervisor must hold either an LPC, LMSW, LMFT, or psychology license in Michigan and should meet the board's supervisor qualification requirements.
Supervision typically occurs weekly or biweekly, with sessions focused on your clinical development, case consultation, ethical decision-making, and professional growth. Your supervisor reviews your clinical work, provides feedback on therapeutic interventions, and helps you navigate complex cases. Many supervisors charge fees for their supervision services, so factor this into your financial planning during your LLPC years.
Important Restrictions
Only experience gained after receiving your LLPC license counts toward your 3,000 hours. If you worked in counseling roles during your master's program beyond your required internship, or if you worked in related fields before earning your LLPC, those hours don't apply to your LPC requirements. The clock starts when you receive your official LLPC license number.
Applying for Full LPC Licensure
After completing your 3,000 supervised hours over at least two years, you're ready to apply for full Licensed Professional Counselor status. This license removes all practice restrictions and allows you to function as an independent mental health professional.
LPC Application Requirements
Your LPC application must include:
- Completed LPC application form
- Verification of 3,000 post-degree clinical hours documented on board-approved forms
- Verification of 100 hours of supervision signed by your qualified supervisor(s)
- Proof that hours were accrued over a minimum two-year period
- Current LLPC license verification
- Application fee
- Updated criminal background check if required
Your supervisor must complete detailed verification forms confirming your hours and supervision. Keep meticulous records throughout your LLPC years, including detailed logs of your clinical hours, supervision dates, and case activities. Poor documentation is one of the most common reasons for application delays.
Choosing the Right Master's Program
Selecting a quality master's program is one of your most important decisions on your path to licensure. The right program provides not just academic knowledge, but also practical clinical training, professional connections, and preparation for successful licensure.
Accreditation Considerations
While Michigan doesn't require CACREP accreditation, CACREP-accredited programs meet rigorous educational standards and often prepare students thoroughly for licensing exams. CACREP programs also may offer advantages if you plan to pursue licensure in multiple states, as some states give preference or expedited processing to CACREP graduates.
More important than specific accreditation is ensuring your program is from a regionally accredited institution and covers all the required coursework areas Michigan mandates. Review the curriculum carefully to confirm it includes the eight core content areas the Michigan Board expects.
Clinical Training Opportunities
Strong programs offer robust practicum and internship placements that expose you to diverse client populations and treatment settings. Ask about the program's relationships with local agencies, whether they help place students in quality internship sites, and what supervision model they use during clinical training.
Programs with on-site counseling clinics often provide excellent training opportunities, allowing you to see clients while receiving intensive supervision from faculty members. These experiences can be particularly valuable for building confidence before entering your LLPC years.
Financial Investment
Master's in counseling programs vary widely in cost. In-state public university programs typically offer the most affordable option, while private institutions and specialized programs may cost significantly more. Consider the total investment, including tuition, fees, books, living expenses during reduced work hours, and potential student loan interest.
Research assistantships, graduate assistantships, and counseling traineeships can help offset costs while providing valuable professional experience. Some agencies and mental health organizations offer tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness programs for counselors who commit to working in underserved areas after graduation.
Career Paths and Specializations
Once licensed, Michigan counselors work in diverse settings and specialize in various clinical populations and treatment approaches. Understanding your career options helps you make informed decisions about your training focus and professional development.
Community Mental Health
Community mental health centers provide counseling services to diverse populations, often serving clients with serious mental illness, trauma histories, and co-occurring disorders. These positions offer broad clinical exposure, opportunities to work with multidisciplinary teams, and often provide supervision for LLPCs working toward full licensure. Many community mental health counselors develop expertise in crisis intervention, case management, and working with underserved populations.
Private Practice
Licensed Professional Counselors can open private practices after earning their full LPC. Private practice offers autonomy over your schedule, client population, and therapeutic approach. Success requires not just clinical skills but also business acumen, including marketing, insurance credentialing, billing, and practice management. Many counselors start private practices part-time while maintaining other employment for financial stability.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Counselors specializing in substance abuse and addiction treatment work in detox facilities, residential treatment programs, outpatient clinics, and recovery support services. This specialty requires an understanding of addiction as a disease, motivational interviewing techniques, family systems approaches, and relapse prevention strategies. Michigan faces ongoing challenges with opioid addiction and substance abuse, creating a strong demand for qualified addiction counselors.
School Counseling
While school counselors typically hold specific school counseling credentials, some LPCs work in school settings, providing mental health services. These roles focus on students' emotional and behavioral needs, crisis intervention, and connecting families with community resources. School-based counseling offers regular schedules, summers off, and the opportunity to make lasting impacts on young people's lives.
Marriage and Family Therapy
Many LPCs develop expertise in couples counseling and family therapy, helping clients navigate relationship conflicts, communication challenges, and family dynamics. While Michigan has a separate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist credential, LPCs can also practice couples and family counseling within their scope of practice.
Trauma and PTSD Treatment
Counselors specializing in trauma work with clients who've experienced abuse, violence, accidents, combat, or other traumatic events. This specialty requires additional training in trauma-focused therapies such as EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, or somatic experiencing. Michigan's veteran population and urban violence create an ongoing need for trauma-informed counselors.
Salary Expectations in Michigan
Understanding realistic salary expectations helps you make informed career decisions and plan financially during your education and early career years. Counselor salaries in Michigan vary based on setting, experience level, specialization, and geographic location.
2024 Michigan Salary Data
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2024, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Michigan earn:
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,200 | Entry-level or part-time positions |
| 25th Percentile | $42,480 | Early career counselors, LLPCs |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $59,530 | Mid-career LPCs with specialization |
| 75th Percentile | $74,360 | Experienced clinicians, supervisors |
| 90th Percentile | $89,170 | Senior clinicians, private practice owners |
| Mean (Average) | $61,960 | Average across all experience levels |
Factors Influencing Counselor Salaries
Several factors significantly impact counselor earnings in Michigan. Geographic location matters, with metropolitan areas like Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids typically offering higher salaries than rural regions, though cost-of-living differences partially offset this advantage. Your work setting influences income, with private practice offering the highest earning potential for established counselors, while community mental health and nonprofit settings generally pay less but often provide better benefits and work-life balance.
Experience level substantially affects compensation. As an LLPC starting your career, expect earnings toward the lower percentiles. As you gain experience, develop specializations, and take on supervisory responsibilities, your earning potential grows considerably. Counselors with established private practices or those in administrative leadership roles often earn at the highest percentiles.
Additional Income Considerations
Many counselors supplement their primary income through supervision fees (supervising LLPCs working toward full licensure), teaching adjunct courses at local colleges, conducting workshops or training sessions, consultation work with agencies or organizations, or writing and speaking engagements in their area of expertise.
Continuing Education and License Renewal
Michigan's continuing education requirements for LPCs are notably different from many other states. Understanding these requirements ensures you maintain your license in good standing.
License Renewal Requirements
Michigan LPC licenses renew every three years. As of 2024, Michigan does not require general continuing education hours for LPC renewal. However, you must complete specific mandatory training requirements that apply to all Michigan health professionals.
Mandatory Training Requirements
All Michigan counselors must complete these training requirements:
Human Trafficking Training (One-Time Requirement): Before your first license issuance or renewal, you must complete approved training in identifying victims of human trafficking. This one-time requirement covers understanding types and venues of human trafficking in the United States, identifying victims in healthcare settings, recognizing warning signs in adults and minors, and resources for reporting suspected trafficking victims.
Implicit Bias Training (Ongoing Requirement): Effective May 2024, Michigan requires implicit bias training for all health professionals. New applicants must complete a minimum of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5 years immediately before initial licensure. For each renewal cycle thereafter, you must complete 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of your license cycle (3 hours total for the 3-year LPC renewal period). This training must be synchronous/interactive or an asynchronous teleconference or webinar format.
Renewal Process
The Michigan Board of Counseling mails renewal notices approximately 90 days before your license expiration date. You must renew online through the Michigan eLicense portal. Current renewal fees are $198.45 for the three-year period. Michigan allows a 60-day grace period after expiration, but late fees apply. If you don't renew within this grace period, your license becomes inactive and requires a relicensure process.
Voluntary Professional Development
While Michigan doesn't mandate general continuing education, maintaining professional competency through ongoing learning is essential for ethical practice and career growth. Many Michigan counselors voluntarily pursue continuing education through workshops, conferences, webinars, and training programs. The Michigan Counseling Association offers professional development opportunities and keeps members informed about regulatory changes and best practices.
Supervision and Training Credits
As you advance in your career, you may become eligible to provide supervision to LLPC candidates. Becoming an approved supervisor requires meeting specific qualifications set by the Michigan Board of Counseling, including holding your LPC for a minimum period and completing supervisor training. Providing supervision opens opportunities to mentor emerging professionals while earning supplemental income through supervision fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed counselor in Michigan?
The complete timeline from starting your bachelor's degree to earning your full LPC typically takes 8-9 years minimum. This includes four years for a bachelor's degree, 2-3 years for your master's in counseling (now 60 semester hours as of June 2023, which may extend program length), time to pass your licensing exam, and a mandatory minimum of two years accruing 3,000 supervised hours as an LLPC. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can complete the process in 4-5 years. The timeline can extend if you study part-time or work reduced hours during your LLPC years.
What's the difference between LLPC and LPC in Michigan?
An LLPC (Limited Licensed Professional Counselor) is Michigan's provisional license for new counselors who've completed their master's degree but haven't yet accrued the required post-degree supervised experience. LLPCs must work under supervision and can't practice independently. An LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the full license that allows independent practice after completing 3,000 supervised hours over at least two years. Only LPCs can open private practices, bill insurance directly, and supervise LLPC candidates.
Do I need a counseling degree specifically or will a psychology degree work?
You need a master's degree specifically in counseling or a closely related field that meets Michigan's curriculum requirements. A master's in psychology may qualify if it includes all required counseling coursework (career development, consulting, counseling techniques and theories, group techniques, professional ethics, research methodology, multicultural counseling, testing procedures) and the required practicum and 600-hour internship. However, many psychology programs don't meet Michigan's specific counseling curriculum requirements. Programs not accredited by CACREP must undergo a program evaluation to demonstrate substantial equivalence. The safest path is a master's degree with "counseling" in the program title from a regionally accredited institution, preferably CACREP-accredited.
Can I get licensed in Michigan with an online master's degree?
Yes, Michigan accepts online master's degrees provided the program is from a regionally accredited institution and meets all curriculum requirements, including the minimum 60 semester hours (as of June 2023) and all required content areas. However, your program must include in-person practicum and internship experiences where you provide direct client services under supervision - the 600-hour internship cannot be completed entirely online. Fully online programs without face-to-face clinical training don't qualify for Michigan licensure. When considering online programs, verify that they require on-site clinical placements and can arrange supervision in Michigan or your location.
How much does the NCE exam cost?
NCE exam fees vary based on when and how you register. As of 2024-2025, the standard NCE fee is approximately $335 for state licensure candidates, though fees periodically change. Some students take the exam during their final semester of graduate school at a reduced rate through their program. Budget for the exam fee plus study materials (official NBCC study guides cost around $120), potential preparation courses ($200-500), and retake fees if needed (same as initial fee with a mandatory 90-day waiting period between attempts). Check the NBCC website for current fee schedules and registration information.
What counts as supervised clinical experience for my 3,000 hours?
Your 3,000 hours must involve direct client contact, providing counseling services. This includes individual therapy, group counseling, couples therapy, family counseling, and crisis intervention. Administrative time, documentation, staff meetings, and personal therapy don't count toward your hours. However, the 100 required supervision hours occur in addition to your 3,000 clinical hours.
How do I find a qualified supervisor in Michigan?
Many employers who hire LLPCs have supervisors on staff or can connect you with qualified supervisors. The Michigan Counseling Association often maintains supervisor directories. You can also reach out to local counselors in private practice who may offer supervision services for a fee. Ensure any supervisor you work with holds appropriate Michigan licensure and meets the board's supervisor qualification requirements.
Does Michigan accept counseling licenses from other states?
Michigan evaluates out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis through its reciprocity process. If you hold an active counseling license in good standing from another state and meet Michigan's education and experience requirements, you may qualify for licensure by endorsement. Contact the Michigan Board of Counseling directly to discuss your specific situation and required documentation.
What continuing education is required to maintain my LPC license?
Michigan does not require general continuing education hours for LPC license renewal. However, you must complete mandatory training requirements: a one-time human trafficking identification training (before first renewal) and ongoing implicit bias training (2 hours before initial licensure, then 1 hour per year of each renewal cycle, totaling 3 hours per 3-year renewal period starting May 2024). While not required, many counselors voluntarily pursue continuing education to maintain competency, learn new therapeutic approaches, and stay current with best practices. License renewal occurs every three years online through the Michigan eLicense portal.
Can I open a private practice immediately after getting my LPC?
Technically yes, as the LPC license permits independent practice. However, starting a successful private practice requires business skills, established professional networks, insurance credentialing, and financial reserves for startup costs. Many new LPCs work in agency or group practice settings initially while building their private practice part-time. This approach provides income stability while you establish your practice foundation.
Key Takeaways
- Michigan uses a two-tier licensing system requiring you to first obtain an LLPC (Limited Licensed Professional Counselor) before working toward full LPC licensure through supervised practice.
- As of June 2023, Michigan requires a minimum of 60 semester hours for a master's degree in counseling (increased from 48 hours), plus a 600-hour supervised internship during your degree program.
- Michigan accepts three national exams for licensure: the NCE, NCMHCE, or CRCC - you only need to pass one of these examinations to qualify.
- You must complete 3,000 hours of post-degree clinical work as an LLPC under 100 hours of supervision before qualifying for full LPC licensure - and these hours must be spread across at least two years (doctoral degree holders need only 1,500 hours).
- The complete education and licensure timeline typically spans 8-9 years minimum, including your bachelor's degree, master's program, passing the licensing exam, and completing supervised post-degree experience.
- Michigan mental health counselors earn a median salary of $59,530 as of 2024, with experienced clinicians and private practice owners earning up to $89,170 or more annually.
- Michigan does not require general continuing education for LPC renewal, but does mandate one-time human trafficking training and ongoing implicit bias training (1 hour per year of license cycle).
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Additional Resources for Michigan Counselors
- Michigan Psychologist Licensing Requirements
- Michigan Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing
- Michigan Social Work Licensing
- Explore Additional Counseling Career Paths
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job growth projections for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are based on national and state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2025.
