How to Become a Licensed Therapist
How to Become a Licensed Therapist
A Comprehensive Guide & Resource List
How to Become a Licensed Therapist: Getting Started
If you’re considering becoming a licensed therapist, there are a few things to know:
There are many different paths to doing this work, and there is no “correct” path. It just depends on your career goals, preferences, and on the type of work you want to do.
Different states have different requirements for various licensure types, so it’s good to research what’s available in your state in terms of license type and educational programs.
There is no one way to enter this work, and you can take it at your own pace.
With that, let’s dive into how the demand for mental health services has changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss what’s required of mental health professionals to practice therapy.
The Rising Demand of Mental Health Services
The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it lots of challenges, one of them being a huge rise in demand for mental health services. Spending on mental health services is reported to have risen as much as 53 percent, according to RAND Corporation and Castlight Health research teams.
The American Psychological Association (APA) reported from a 2022 survey that demand for anxiety and depression treatment, as well as demand for trauma- and stress-related disorders, rose for a third consecutive year. Significant percentages of clinicians reported that they no longer had any available openings for new clients and/or their waitlists for new clients grew.
Even setting this explosive demand in mental health services aside, becoming a licensed mental health clinician is a fulfilling and impactful career choice. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the steps involved in becoming a licensed clinician, focusing on both national and California-specific requirements.
Educational Requirements to Become a Mental Health Clinician
The journey to becoming a licensed therapist begins with the right education. Most states, including California, require a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Here are the typical educational paths:
Bachelor's Degree: Start with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field. Ensure your coursework includes relevant prerequisites.
Master's Degree: Pursue a master's degree in a specific field, such as clinical psychology, counseling, social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Accredited programs ensure you meet state requirements.
Doctoral Degree (optional): Some therapists choose to further their education by obtaining a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D. These programs provide advanced training and research opportunities.
Clinical Experience Required to Become a Clinician
Gaining clinical experience is a critical step towards becoming a licensed therapist. The specific requirements varies between states. In California, the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) governs these requirements. California mandates the following:
a. Hours: For LMFT or LPCC, complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience, with 104 supervised weeks. LCSWs require 3,200 hours.
b. Supervision: Your supervisor must be a licensed clinician. The BBS mandates one hour of individual supervision per week and one and a half hours of group supervision.
How to Get Licensed
Obtaining a license is the next crucial step for a therapist. In California, the process involves the following:
Pass the State Exam: To become an LMFT or LPCC, you must pass the California Law and Ethics Exam and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Apply for Licensure: Submit an application for your specific license type along with the required fees and documentation.
Background Check: A fingerprint and background check are mandatory.
Supervision Verification: Provide verification of your supervised hours.
Continuing Education: After becoming licensed, therapists must continue their education through regular courses and workshops to maintain their license.
National Resources for Future Mental Health Clinicians
National resources are invaluable for aspiring therapists across the United States:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers resources for exam preparation, continuing education, and information about NCMHCE and NCE exams.
American Psychological Association (APA) provides information on accredited programs, licensing requirements, and career development resources for psychologists.
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the accrediting body for counseling and related educational programs, ensuring high-quality educational standards. Here you can browse CACREP accredited programs around the country if you’re still unsure where you’d like to apply.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) offers information on licensing for social workers, including exam preparation and study resources.
California-Specific Resources for Future Mental Health Clinicians
For those pursuing therapy licensure in California, state-specific resources are crucial:
Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) is the primary regulatory body for therapists in California. Their website offers comprehensive information on licensing requirements, exam details, and application processes.
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) provides support (even legal resources for members if necessary), networking opportunities, grant and scholarship opportunities, and continuing education resources.
California Association of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) offers support and resources for LPCCs, including licensure and professional development information.
The California Board of Psychology oversees licensing and regulation for psychologists.
Preparing for Licensing Exams
After you complete the required education (in the section noted above) and you’ve obtained your supervised therapeutic hours, you are eligible to take the licensing exams. The required exams differ by state. To practice therapeutic services in a state, you must pass the exams for that state.
Mental health clinicians can practice in multiple states, but they must pass the exam for each state where they’re aiming to practice. Preparing for exams is highly recommended, as taking and retaking the exam if you fail can be costly. There are several resources available to help you prepare:
Next Steps: Where to Start
How do you feel after reading about all of these steps to becoming a licensed therapist? There are so many ways to do it, it can become overwhelming and even confusing to learn about all of the different types of clinicians. And knowing exactly where to start on your journey can be overwhelming as well.
The Benefits and Rewards of Volunteer Experience
One great way to start on this path is to research organizations in your local area for volunteer opportunities. There are most likely volunteer roles right under your nose that need your help right now. Several organizations need extra help with peer counseling, answering helpline or hotline calls, or a wide variety of social work services.
Many nonprofit organizations doing wellness, social work, or mental health related work often are run on a shoestring and would happily accept extra help. Don’t be shy about calling, emailing, or connecting with them on social media, introducing yourself, and asking about volunteer opportunities. Many organizations have already existing volunteer programs where you can apply. The benefit of volunteering is not only that you’re helping your community or another community, but you’ll gain very valuable insight into the kind of work you’d like to do in the future, and whether or not this work is for you.
