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Hawaii 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 Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Program (DCCA).
A master's or doctoral degree in counseling or an allied mental health field, including or supplemented by at least 48 semester (72 quarter) hours of graduate counseling coursework with a minimum of 3 semester hours in each of nine subject areas, plus at least two terms of supervised practicum (at least 6 semester hours) including a minimum of 300 hours of supervised client contact. Verify current requirements with the Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Program (DCCA).
The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) administered by NBCC; no separate state or jurisprudence exam is required. Verify current requirements with the Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Program (DCCA).
At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience in the practice of mental health counseling, including 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision, completed in no less than two and no more than four years under a qualified licensed supervisor. Verify current requirements with the Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Program (DCCA).
A Counseling Compact bill (SB 322, 2023) was introduced in Hawaii, but its enactment could not be confirmed from an official source and the DCCA program page does not reference a compact privilege — confirm the state's compact status with the program. License portability is also available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Program (DCCA).
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Hawaii Mental Health Counselor Program (DCCA).
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Hawaii. 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.