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Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.
At least a master's degree in professional counseling (or equivalent) from an approved program of at least 60 semester credit hours, including a supervised practicum (at least 100 hours, 40+ face-to-face) and internship (at least 600 hours, 240+ face-to-face). Verify current requirements with the Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.
A national examination — the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) — plus the Wisconsin statutes and rules (jurisprudence) examination. Verify current requirements with the Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.
At least 3,000 hours of supervised professional counseling practice after the qualifying degree, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, completed while holding a Professional Counselor training (LPC-IT) license, with supervision averaging one hour per week. Verify current requirements with the Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.
Wisconsin participates in the Counseling Compact. It was enacted via 2023 Wisconsin Act 55; confirm whether the privilege-to-practice mechanism is operational. License portability is also available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the Wisconsin Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in Wisconsin. 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.