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Rhode Island licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). 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 Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
A master's or higher degree from a CACREP-accredited program (or equivalent master's in mental health counseling) of at least 60 semester (90 quarter) credit hours, including the required core content, 12 semester hours of supervised practicum, plus a minimum of one year of supervised internship at 20 hours per week. Verify current requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by NBCC; no separate state jurisprudence exam was identified. Verify current requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
A minimum of two years of postgraduate experience including at least 2,000 hours of direct client contact and a minimum of 100 hours of post-degree supervised case work over the two-year period. Verify current requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Rhode Island participates in the Counseling Compact. It was signed into law in August 2024 (H.7141/S.2183); the interstate privilege becomes usable once the national Counseling Compact Commission's data system is operational. License portability is also available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Rhode Island. 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.