This is an overview of Illinois counselor licensure. Illinois has two levels of licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC). For additional information, please refer to information below.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
The LPC is the provisional license in Illinois, meaning that they may not practice independently under any circumstances. They must practice under a qualified supervisor according to the Illinois General Assembly (licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed psychiatrist).
Education Requirements: Rules
Exam Requirements: To become an LPC in Illinois, you must take and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE). If you have not taken this exam prior to applying for the LPC license, you will need to indicate this in your application. In Illinois, you will need to be approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to sit for the exam. Once you have been approved to sit for the exam you will be directed to the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) who administers the exam. Once you have scheduled, taken and passed your NCE exam, the NBCC will provide your scores to the IDFPR who will administer your LPC license.
Supervision Requirements: A specific number of supervision hours is not required to apply for the LPC, although you will have to practice under a qualified supervisor until you earn your independent license (LCPC).
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC)
The LCPC is the clinical counselor license in Illinois. This license allows you to practice independently, opening the possibility to starting your own practice!
Education Requirements: Rules
Exam Requirements: To become an LCPC in Illinois, you are required to take and pass both the NCE and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination (NCMHCE). In Illinois, you will need to be approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to sit for the exam. Once you have been approved to sit for the exam you will be directed to the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) who administers the exam. Once you have scheduled, taken and passed the NCE and NCMHCE, the NBCC will provide your scores to the IDFPR who will administer your LCPC license. For individuals who are already licensed as LPC's, they will only need to take the NCMHCE.
Supervision Requirements: To qualify for the LCPC license in Illinois, you are required to earn a number of supervision hours. "A person holding a master's degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, psychology or similar degree program shall have completed the equivalent of 2 years of full-time satisfactory supervised experience working as a clinical counselor in a professional capacity under the direction of a qualified supervisor subsequent to obtaining the degree." According to the Illinois General Assembly, one year of supervision is 1,680 hours, with at least 50% being direct face to face with clients, which includes telehealth methods. In total, to qualify for LCPC licensure you must earn 3,360 hours of supervision in no less than 2 years. The full rules from the Illinois General Assembly can be found HERE.
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