- Bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field
- A master's degree in counseling - The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits over 2,000 master's degree programs; attending a CACREP-accredited school can make it easier to obtain licensure after finishing your degree.
- 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience - Some states may require additional experience
Licensure Requirements
Counselors must be licensed in order to practice in most states.
- Licensing requirements vary by state, but generally include:
- Passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE) - Administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- Completing any additional requirements set by the state in which you wish to practice
- Continuing education credits are often required to maintain licensure