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Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
At least 60 semester credit hours of graduate coursework in mental health counseling or a closely related field, including a master's degree of at least 48 semester hours, with a supervised pre-master's practicum (at least 100 hours) and internship (at least 600 hours) per 262 CMR 2.00. Verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by NBCC; no separate Massachusetts state examination is required. Verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
At least 3,360 total hours of post-master's mental health counseling experience, including at least 960 hours of direct face-to-face clinical counseling and at least 130 hours of supervision, completed over no less than two and no more than eight years. Verify current requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
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 Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Massachusetts. 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.