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Kentucky licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). 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 Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
A master's, specialist, or doctoral degree in counseling (a degree title that includes 'counseling') from a regionally accredited institution of at least 60 graduate semester hours, with at least 3 semester hours in each of nine required content areas and a supervised practicum/internship (CACREP standard under 201 KAR 36:070). Verify current requirements with the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
A passing score on either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) under 201 KAR 36:070; no separate Kentucky jurisprudence examination is required. Verify current requirements with the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
A minimum of 4,000 hours of post-master's experience in the practice of counseling under board-approved supervision (KRS 335.525; 201 KAR 36:060), with supervision three times per month at one hour per meeting for full-time practice. Verify current requirements with the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
Kentucky participates in the Counseling Compact. It was enacted in 2022 (KRS 335.560) and the Counseling Compact Commission has adopted operational rules. License portability is also available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Kentucky. 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.