How to Become a Counselor in Nevada

How Do I Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Nevada?

Nevada’s Board of Examiners for Marriage & Family Therapists & Clinical Professional Counselors license professional counselors in Nevada as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor(LCPC). The steps include completing the necessary master’s level education, passing a nationally recognized exam, and documenting 3,000 hours of supervised practice. Before receiving their full license, future counselors are licensed as a Licensed Clinical Counselor Intern. A page dedicated to Nevada’s internship requirements is available on the board’s website.

What Are the Requirements to Become a Counselor in Nevada?

The future counselor’s of Nevada will need to be prepared for some of the harsh realities facing the state. Gambling, prostitution and an influx of population from other states means a counselor’s practice in Nevada will never be dull. But it can be exhausting. That is why membership in an association, such as the Nevada Mental Health Counselors Association, is a vital component of any counselors support system and especially for those dealing with the serious issues facing the people of Nevada.

In pursuit of the LCPC, future counselors must finish the necessary graduate coursework, receive a passing score on the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE), and complete the requisite supervised experience as a registered intern. The combination of a master’s level education, the internship period with it’s critically important supervised experience, and successfully passing one of the two required exams will demonstrate to Nevada’s board that any future counselor dedicated enough to complete those steps is ready to begin what is hopefully a lifetime of helping others.

What Are the Supervised Experience Requirements to Become a Counselor in Nevada?

Registered interns must report their progress twice a year to Nevada’s board. Future counselors are required to work 3,000 hours under supervision. 1,500 of those hours must be in the capacity of direct client service work. In addition, direct supervision is required for 300 hours. At the supervisor's discretion, an intern may accrue no more than 50 hours in training and no more than 200 hours during teaching activities. Further restrictions include 20 hours of direct client work per week, 160 hours total with a primary supervisor, and no less than 40 hours total with the secondary supervisor. The supervisors are required to fill out a report every six months and the primary supervisor will fill out an evaluation at the conclusion of the supervisory period. More information can be found on Nevada’s board’s website.

With all of these specific limits pertaining to different forms of supervised practice, it is critical that the supervisor(s) and licensee do their best to keep good records, thereby ensuring a timely application process for full licensure.

What Are the Examination Requirements to Become a Counselor in Nevada?

Nevada’s Board of Examiners for Marriage & Family Therapists & Clinical Professional Counselors requires a passing score on the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE) for the LCPC license.

The NCMHCE consists of 10 simulated clinical mental health counseling cases that are designed to sample a broad area of competencies. You will receive your score within 6 weeks of the examination. Study guides are also available via the NBCC.

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 Nevada, please visit the State of Nevada’s Board of Examiners for Marriage & Family Therapists & Clinical Professional Counselors.

Counseling Career Outlook in Nevada

As of May 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Nevada have one of the highest average salaries in the nation at $64,890. The top 10% make upwards of $92,380. Ultimately, the type of counseling provided, geographic location, specialization, and level of education will influence the specific salary a future counselor in Nevada can expect. Regardless, the help provided by a counselor holding an LCPC license in Nevada will undoubtedly change lives for the better.

Schools with Degree Programs Accepting Students from Nevada

Additional Resources for Nevada Applicants:

• Nevada Psychologist Licensing
• Nevada Social Work Licensing
• Nevada Marriage and Family Therapist Licensing
• Explore Additional Counseling Careers

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2023.