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Delaware licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH). Applicants generally complete a qualifying graduate degree, accrue post-degree supervised clinical experience, and pass a national examination. Verify current education, supervised-experience, examination, renewal, and continuing education requirements directly with the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
A master's or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution in clinical mental health counseling (or a Board-acceptable equivalent) with a minimum of 60 graduate semester credits; non-CACREP programs require an Evaluation of Coursework. Verify current requirements with the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
A passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), or another Board-acceptable exam; no separate Delaware jurisprudence exam is published. Verify current requirements with the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
At least 3,200 hours of post-master's professional experience over two to four consecutive years, of which at least 1,600 hours must be supervised clinical experience and at least 1,500 hours face-to-face direct counseling (at least 750 individual), with at least 100 hours of face-to-face direct supervision. Verify current requirements with the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
Delaware participates in the Counseling Compact. It is codified at Title 24, Chapter 30A of the Delaware Code (83 Del. Laws, c. 395); the national compact has surpassed its ten-state activation threshold. License portability is also available by reciprocity. Verify current requirements with the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Delaware. Each links to its own full state guide — always verify current requirements with the relevant official board.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, licensing, or employment advice. Counselor licensing laws, board rules, education and supervised-experience requirements, examinations, and renewal requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the official state counseling licensing board or applicable regulatory agency.