How to Get a Certification to Practice Counseling

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of counselors may grow up to 18 percent between 2008 and 2018--faster than average. Counselors work in diverse practice environments to provide support services, counseling and sometimes rehabilitation to children, adults or families. Getting a certification to practice counseling is not a complicated process, but it does take time, as most certification and licensing bodies have specific requirements.

Instructions

• 1

  Complete a master's degree in a specific area related to counseling, such as elementary or secondary school counseling, education, marriage and family therapy, substance abuse or addictions counseling, community counseling or mental health and behavioral counseling. Accredited master's programs in counseling are searchable by using resources developed by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, which lists all of the accredited master's-level counseling programs in the U.S.

• 2

  Get hands-on counseling experience. All certification and licensing bodies mandate specific requirements for supervised counseling experience and hands-on practice. Certification bodies require two years or 3,000 hours of counseling experience logged after receipt of a master's degree. Most state licensing requirements also adopt this standard, but you should check with your state to be sure.

• 3

  Pass the counseling licensing examination offered by your state. All states and the District of Columbia require a license before you may set up an independent (unsupervised) practice. Contact information for state licensing boards is available on the American Counseling Association website.

• 4

  Apply to the National Board for Certified Counselors to take the national certification exam. There are four paths to NBCC certification; the shortest is by finishing a master's degree, obtaining hands-on experience and taking the state licensing examination. However, some states will waive their exams if you have passed the NBCC national exam. Check eligibility requirements by visiting the NBCC website.