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Oregon licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). 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 Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
A graduate degree of at least 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours in mental health counseling or a related behavioral science from a CACREP/CORE-accredited program or regionally accredited institution, including coursework across nine content areas. Verify current requirements with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
One Board-approved national examination — the NCMHCE, the NCE, or the CRC examination — plus the Oregon Law and Rules Examination (an open-book state jurisprudence exam). Verify current requirements with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
At least three years (36 months) of supervised clinical counseling experience including no less than 1,900 supervised direct client contact hours under a qualified supervisor; Oregon defines the requirement by the 36-month period and 1,900 direct-contact hours rather than a single total-hour figure. Verify current requirements with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Oregon has not enacted the Counseling Compact (compact legislation was unsuccessful in the 2025 session), so a compact privilege is not available; license portability may be available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Oregon. 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.