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Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
A planned program of 60 graduate semester hours (90 quarter hours) including a master's degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania State Board.
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by NBCC. Verify the current exam requirement with the Pennsylvania State Board.
3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience completed in no less than 2 and no more than 6 years (2,400 hours for doctoral applicants, of which 1,200 must be post-doctoral). Verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania State Board.
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 Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Pennsylvania. 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.