How to Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kentucky

How Do I Become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kentucky?

In the state of Kentucky, to practice any professional counseling, you will need to obtain a license. By successfully completing all educational requirements, you can be a licensed professional counselor associate. Once you reach the Kentucky state requirements, you will be able to earn an even higher rank of the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. You will be required to make sure you have all the education requirements completed, as well as the supervised experience.

What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Counselor in Kentucky?

To obtain a professional counseling license, you are required to have a Master’s Degree, Doctoral, or a specialist degree. You will need a minimum of 60 hours. Your specific degree must be in reference to counseling or any related field. You should have had the following coursework:

• Helping Relationship
• Lifestyle/career development
• Group Dynamics
• Human Growth/development
• Social/cultural foundations
• Individual Assessment, testing, and appraisal
• Professional Orientations
• Research/ Program Evaluation
• Emotional Disorders
• A minimum of 400 hours must be completed in internship or practicum

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

In the state of Kentucky, you will need a minimum of 4,000 hours completed in a supervised practice that is post-degree prior to attaining a professional license. You also will be required to have a minimum of 1,600 directed professional counsel work hours. The Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors urges you to gain ten hours of face to face direct counseling at any correctional institution while you are considered an associate.

The amount of time you will be required to individually with direct, face- to-face professional supervision is a minimum of 100 hours. Your supervisor must be a professional; clinical social worker, a licensed professional counselor, psychologist, master’s level nurse, or family and marriage therapist.

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

You are required to successfully complete the licensing examination as well as pass it prior to applying to the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor credential. The National Board for Certified Counselors is who will administer The National Counselor Exam, also known as NCE. You can obtain a downloadable form for registration from NBCC. You will then mail it to National Board for Certified Counselors with a fee of $185. An original transcript will also need to be sent in a sealed, secured envelope. You should have a waiting period of approximately four weeks. Once you receive the application, you will be able to call the testing center and schedule your exam.

When you are applying for an LPCC license, you will need to fill out all necessary paperwork and attach the licensing fee. You will need to have all experience verified. The professional supervisor that can vouch for your experience will be required to sign a notarized document stating your experience.

If you live in another state and your current license is still in good standing, you may be eligible to receive a reciprocity license. You will need to have met Kentucky’s education requirements to be considered. Practicing for five years with experience as a professional or certified counselor will also boost your chances for the licensure.

Counseling Career Outlook In Kentucky

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral disorder counselor in Kentucky is $45,340. The average hourly wage is $23.70. The top 10% of this type of counselor earn $78,240 and more. The wage and the salary will vary depending on which type of licensure is held. The specific type of counseling will play a major role in the annual salary as well. The benefits and any other extra information depend on your license and job title. There are different licenses that can be provided for any type of counselor. Any information does not entirely match every professional counselor license.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends 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.

Schools with Degree Programs Accepting Students from Kentucky:

Additional Resources for Kentucky Applicants:

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