Becoming a licensed counselor in Indiana requires navigating specific educational and professional requirements set by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. The path to licensure ensures that mental health professionals meet high standards of competency and ethical practice to serve Indiana residents effectively.
Aspiring counselors in the Hoosier State can pursue several licensure options including Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Each pathway involves completing a master’s degree obtaining supervised clinical experience and passing required examinations. Understanding these requirements is crucial for those planning their counseling career in Indiana.
Indiana Counseling Licensure Requirements
The Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board oversees counseling licensure in the state. This regulatory body establishes specific requirements for different types of counseling licenses to ensure high standards of professional practice.
Types of Counseling Licenses Available
Indiana offers multiple counseling license types for mental health professionals:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC): Focuses on individual counseling mental health services
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): Specializes in relationship counseling family systems
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Provides comprehensive social work counseling services
- Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC): Concentrates on substance use disorder treatment
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA): Entry-level license for supervised practice
Basic Eligibility Requirements
The core requirements for counseling licensure in Indiana include:
Education
- Master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program
- 60 semester hours of graduate coursework
- Specific coursework in counseling theories diagnosis methods
- 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
- 100 hours of face-to-face supervision
- 1,000 hours of direct client contact
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
- Indiana jurisprudence examination
- Passing score on all required tests
| License Type | Required Clinical Hours | Supervision Hours | Direct Client Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMHC | 3,000 | 100 | 1,000 |
| LMFT | 1,000 | 100 | 500 |
| LCSW | 3,000 | 100 | 1,000 |
| LCAC | 2,000 | 150 | 800 |
Educational Requirements for Indiana Counselors
Indiana counselors must complete a master’s degree from an accredited institution that meets specific educational standards set by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board.
Approved Graduate Degree Programs
The Indiana counseling board accepts degrees from programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Programs include:
- Master’s in Mental Health Counseling
- Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master’s in Marriage Family Therapy
- Master’s in Clinical Social Work
- Master’s in Addiction Counseling
Required Coursework and Credits
The master’s program requires completion of 60 semester hours with specific coursework distribution:
| Course Category | Required Credits |
|---|---|
| Human Growth and Development | 3 credits |
| Social and Cultural Foundations | 3 credits |
| Counseling Theory | 3 credits |
| Counseling Techniques | 3 credits |
| Group Dynamics | 3 credits |
| Assessment and Testing | 3 credits |
| Research and Program Evaluation | 3 credits |
| Professional Ethics | 3 credits |
| Psychopathology | 3 credits |
| Practicum/Internship | 9 credits |
| Specialty Track Courses | 24 credits |
- Diagnostic assessment techniques
- Treatment planning methodologies
- Clinical problem-solving approaches
- Legal aspects of counseling practice
- Cross-cultural counseling strategies
- Crisis intervention protocols
- Evidence-based treatment modalities
- Professional documentation practices
Supervised Clinical Experience Requirements
Licensed counseling professionals in Indiana must complete specific supervised clinical experience requirements set by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. The requirements encompass both pre-graduate practicum hours and post-graduate supervised practice.
Practicum and Internship Hours
The pre-graduate supervised experience includes 1,000 hours of practicum and internship requirements:
- 100 hours of practicum experience in a counseling setting
- 600 hours of direct client contact during internship
- 300 hours of indirect services including case notes documentation case conferences
- Weekly supervision meetings with a qualified supervisor for 1 hour per week
- Group supervision sessions conducted in groups of 2-8 students for 1.5 hours per week
- 3,000 total hours of supervised clinical experience
- 1,500 hours of direct client contact through face-to-face sessions
- 100 hours of face-to-face supervision with a qualified supervisor
- Maximum of 40 hours of group supervision counted toward the requirement
- Weekly supervision sessions of at least 1 hour
- Supervision must occur over a minimum of 21 months but not exceed 48 months
- Documentation of all supervision hours using board-approved forms
- Supervisors must be licensed mental health professionals with 3+ years post-licensure experience
| Experience Type | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Total Clinical Experience | 3,000 |
| Direct Client Contact | 1,500 |
| Face-to-Face Supervision | 100 |
| Duration | 21-48 months |
Examination and Application Process
The Indiana counseling licensure process requires candidates to pass specific examinations and submit comprehensive documentation. Licensed counselors in Indiana must complete both examination requirements and application procedures through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Required Examinations
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) serves as the primary licensing exam for Indiana counselors. Candidates register for the exam through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) after receiving approval from the Indiana Board. The exam consists of 10 clinical simulations testing clinical problem-solving abilities. Additional exam requirements include:
- Jurisprudence examination covering Indiana mental health laws regulations
- NCE examination for temporary permits practicing under supervision
- Special examinations for specific credentials (LMFT AMFTRB exam LCAC NAADAC exam)
- Official transcripts from CACREP-accredited graduate programs
- Criminal background check results from Indiana State Police
- Verification of supervised clinical experience hours (Form 2)
- Professional references from licensed supervisors (Form 3)
- Passport-style photograph taken within 8 weeks
- Application processing fee of $50
- Initial license fee of $50
- Background check fee of $39.50
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Processing | $50 |
| Initial License | $50 |
| Background Check | $39.50 |
| NCMHCE Exam | $275 |
| Jurisprudence Exam | $50 |
License Maintenance and Renewal
Indiana licensed counselors maintain active licenses through ongoing education and regular renewals with the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. The board establishes specific requirements to ensure counselors stay current with professional standards and best practices.
Continuing Education Requirements
Licensed counselors in Indiana complete 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. The requirements include:
- 20 hours of face-to-face instruction from approved providers
- 2 hours focused on ethics and professional conduct
- 1 hour covering human trafficking awareness
- Up to 20 hours through distance learning programs
- Maximum of 10 hours from teaching-related activities
Approved CE activities include:
- Workshops from NBCC-approved providers
- Graduate-level coursework (1 credit = 15 CE hours)
- Professional conference presentations
- Publication of professional articles or books
- Clinical supervision activities
License Renewal Schedule
The Indiana license renewal process follows a structured timeline:
- Licenses expire on April 1st of odd-numbered years
- Online renewal opens 90 days before expiration
- Renewal fee: $50 for active status
- Late renewal fee: Additional $50 if submitted within 90 days after expiration
- Licenses lapsed beyond 90 days require reinstatement
Required documentation includes:
- Completed renewal application
- CE documentation verification
- Current professional liability insurance proof
- Updated contact information
- Disciplinary disclosure statements
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard Renewal | $50 |
| Late Renewal | $100 |
| Reinstatement | $150 |
| Inactive Status | $25 |
Reciprocity and License Transfer
Indiana’s counseling board evaluates out-of-state licenses through a comprehensive reciprocity process that enables licensed counselors from other jurisdictions to practice in Indiana. The board assesses each application based on equivalency standards for education training supervision experience.
Out-of-State License Requirements
Licensed counselors seeking reciprocity in Indiana must:
- Hold a current active license in good standing from another state
- Complete a master’s degree with 60 semester hours from a CACREP-accredited program
- Document 3,000 supervised clinical experience hours
- Submit verification of passing the NCMHCE or equivalent examination
- Provide license verification from all states where previously licensed
- Complete Indiana’s jurisprudence examination with a passing score
- Pay a $50 application fee plus additional processing fees
- Counseling Compact membership enables multistate practice privileges
- Recognition of the National Counselor Certification (NCC) for expedited licensure
- Acceptance of the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) scores from other states
- Participation in the Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) reciprocity programs
- Implementation of temporary permits for out-of-state counselors during the application process
| Reciprocity Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Processing Time | 4-6 weeks |
| Temporary Permit Duration | 180 days |
| Required Documentation Review | 10-15 business days |
| License Verification Fee | $25 per state |
Counseling Licensure in Indiana
Becoming a licensed counselor in Indiana requires dedication commitment and careful attention to detail. The comprehensive requirements ensure that counselors are well-prepared to serve their communities with the highest standards of professional care.
Aspiring counselors should carefully plan their educational and professional journey while staying informed about current licensure requirements. With proper preparation and understanding of the state’s guidelines they’ll be well-positioned to achieve their career goals in the counseling field.
Those interested in pursuing counseling licensure in Indiana should connect with the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board for the most up-to-date information and guidance throughout their licensure journey.