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Minnesota 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 Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
A master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field of at least 48 semester (72 quarter) hours plus a supervised field experience of at least 700 hours, with graduate coursework spanning the clinical content areas specified in Minn. Stat. 148B.5301 (diagnostic assessment, treatment planning, clinical intervention, evaluation methods, professional ethics, and cultural diversity). Verify current requirements with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by NBCC, along with the Board-prescribed ethics/situational examination. Verify current requirements with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
4,000 hours of post-master's supervised professional clinical practice in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, including at least 1,800 hours of direct client contact, with two hours of supervision per 40 hours of practice (at least half individual); LPCs with 2,000 documented supervised hours document an additional 2,000 hours. Verify current requirements with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Minnesota participates in the Counseling Compact. It was enacted effective August 1, 2024, but per the Board the compact is still in the implementation phase and not yet issuing privileges to practice. License portability is also available by reciprocity. Verify current requirements with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Minnesota. 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.