Are you aspiring to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Montana? Navigating the licensing process can seem daunting, but with the right information and preparation, you can achieve your goal. Here’s a concise guide to help you understand the essential steps and requirements.
License Requirements for LCPC Not Currently Licensed in Another Jurisdiction
To become an LCPC in Montana, you must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Graduate Degree: You must have a graduate degree with a minimum of 60 semester hours from a CACREP-accredited college or a program that contains the CACREP core competencies. [ARM 24.219.601]
- Supervised Counseling Experience: Proof of completion of 3,000 hours of supervised counseling experience that meets the criteria in [ARM 24.219.604].
- Fingerprint and Background Check: Submit fingerprints to the Montana Department of Justice for a fingerprint and background check. [MCA 37-39-202]
- National Exam: Pass one of the following national exams administered by the National Board of Counselor Certification (NBCC):
- National Counselor Examination (NCE)
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
License Requirements for LCPC Currently Licensed in Another Jurisdiction
If you are currently licensed in another jurisdiction, you must meet all the criteria above for applicants not currently licensed, or:
- Hold a current, active license in good standing in another state or jurisdiction with substantially equivalent licensing requirements to Montana standards.
- Have completed supervised post-degree work that meets the requirements in [MCA 37-39-309] and [ARM 24.219.604].
- Have passed one of the exams described above [ARM 24.219.403].
- Submit fingerprints to the Montana Department of Justice for a fingerprint and background check. [MCA 37-39-202(1)]
Checklist of Required Documents
Here is a checklist of documents and additional forms you need to submit for your LCPC application:
- Official license verification from states and jurisdictions where you hold or have ever held a professional license.
- If you answered yes to discipline questions, include a detailed explanation and documentation from the source.
- Certified education transcript(s) sent directly to the department from the college or university.
- Completed fingerprint and background check results sent directly to the department from the Montana Department of Justice.
- Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Rights form.
- Academic Summary form.
- Proof of passage of one of the NBCC exams sent directly to the department from the NBCC.
- Proof of completion of 3,000 hours of supervised experience which meets the requirements in [ARM 24.219.604].
- Applicants currently licensed in another jurisdiction may submit that jurisdiction's documentation showing completion of those hours; or complete the Montana Evaluation of Supervisory Experience form if that jurisdiction's supervisor(s) is available to sign the form. [ARM 24.219.421]
- Applicants not currently licensed in another jurisdiction who previously obtained hours in another jurisdiction may submit that jurisdiction's documentation showing completion of those hours; or complete the Montana Evaluation of Supervisory Experience form if that jurisdiction's supervisor(s) is available to sign the form. [ARM 24.219.402]
Application Fee
The application fee for LCPC is $200. You can apply for a license online at https://ebiz.mt.gov/POL/. Make sure to include a valid e-mail address with your application, as e-mail is the department's primary form of communication.
If you have any questions about the application process or the licensing requirements, please contact the Department of Labor and Industry Professional Licensing Bureau using the contact information at the top of the checklist.
For more information, please follow this link.
