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Florida licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). 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 Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
A master's degree of at least 60 semester (80 quarter) hours from an accredited mental health counseling program, including at least 700 hours of university-sponsored supervised practicum/internship with at least 280 hours of direct client services. Verify current requirements with the Florida Board.
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE); within six months of licensure applicants must also complete board-approved courses (8-hour laws and rules, 3-hour HIV/AIDS, 2-hour domestic violence). Verify current requirements with the Florida Board.
Two years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience — at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy over no fewer than 100 weeks, with at least 100 hours of supervision. Verify current requirements with the Florida Board.
License portability may be available by endorsement/reciprocity and, where the state participates, through the Counseling Compact. Verify Counseling Compact participation and endorsement eligibility with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Florida. 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.