How do I get supervised hours to get LPC license?

I have a Master's degree in professional counseling. I worked as an intake counselor at a nonprofit agtency from 2007 to 2008, but the position ended when funding for the position ran out. I want to get my LPC license. I've already finished the coursework and credit hours, but I need supervised hours. Most of the counseling positions I'm considering applying for require licensure. But I need the supervised hours as part of getting a license. Also, I don't drive or own a car. Can someone give me advice where to apply with the experience I do have? Please help.

Eolyn in Columbia, Maryland said: I have a Master's degree in professional counseling. I worked as an intake counselor at a nonprofit agtency from 2007 to 2008, but the position ended when funding for the position ran out. I want to get my LPC license. I've already finished the coursework and credit hours, but I need supervised hours. Most of the counseling positions I'm considering applying for require licensure. But I need the supervised hours as part of getting a license. Also, I don't drive or own a car. Can someone give me advice where to apply with the experience I do have? Please help.

Did you take your NCE exam yet? If not, you'll need to take the NCE exam and pass it, so you will be considered an LPC-I [Intern]. You will need to get a job working under a LPC-S [supervisor] to sign off on your hours after that. Depending on which state you live in, depends on how many hours you need. In SC we need 150 supervised hours. You can work at any clinic, hospital, etc under a LPC's, Doctors, etc in order to get the rest of your hours needed. Most LPC-I work in the field. Depending on where you live will depend how not driving or having transportation will affect your job.

Here's a great site for NCE test prep... it's a simulation software program which draws on a huge bank of test questions to create exams from: www.cca-licensereview.com/

Good luck!

Eolyn in Columbia, Maryland said: I have a Master's degree in professional counseling. I worked as an intake counselor at a nonprofit agtency from 2007 to 2008, but the position ended when funding for the position ran out. I want to get my LPC license. I've already finished the coursework and credit hours, but I need supervised hours. Most of the counseling positions I'm considering applying for require licensure. But I need the supervised hours as part of getting a license. Also, I don't drive or own a car. Can someone give me advice where to apply with the experience I do have? Please help.

I paid someone to supervise my post master's hours because no one wants to do it for free and even if you find a job and someone promises they can sign for your hours, if they leave, you are stuck. I had to quit many jobs post grad school to try to find someone qualified to supervise me, but then I realized paying someone would be the only way to complete my required hours. I now have my LPC and it has helped some in finding jobs, but the market in our area is saturated and not easy to find good pay.

Does anyone know if working as a behavioral specialist consultant (Bsc) or mobile therapist counts as the clinical experience hours needed to become an lpc?

CR in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: Does anyone know if working as a behavioral specialist consultant (Bsc) or mobile therapist counts as the clinical experience hours needed to become an lpc?

In most cases, an LPC Supervisor is going to want you to have well rounded experience during your supervision: assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, crisis management, individual/group/family therapy, etc. So, depending on the supervisor you choose, you'll have to let them take a look at your job description and job duties and decide if they're willing to supervise you and then recommend you to the board for licensure.

Does anyone know if I can be supervised by an out-of-state LPC (by phone/Skype) as I work toward my LPC in Pennsylvania? I need 3600 hours of supervised post-Master's work experience, 1,800 of which need to be supervised by an LPC. But I'm unclear whether that LPC needs to be PA licensed.

Thanks so much.

I realized paying someone would be the only way to complete my required hours. I now have my LPC and it has helped some in finding jobs, but the market in our area is saturated and not easy to find good pay.

How did you find someone and may I ask, what did you pay them?
Thanks!

Eliza in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: Does anyone know if I can be supervised by an out-of-state LPC (by phone/Skype) as I work toward my LPC in Pennsylvania? I need 3600 hours of supervised post-Master's work experience, 1,800 of which need to be supervised by an LPC. But I'm unclear whether that LPC needs to be PA licensed.

Thanks so much.

No the supervisor does not have to be licensed in PA I know the application is not an easy read but it does state that information some where on the application I live in PA also and looking for supervision myself.

Please review the pa board web site. LPC supervision must be in person. It is not allowed to do it by phone nor Skype which is not even HIPAA compliant.
Www.debowens.com

if you are an LPC-Intern in Texas can you get your hours in another state and still have that count as supervision for licensure in Texas?

Latifa in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania said: No the supervisor does not have to be licensed in PA I know the application is not an easy read but it does state that information some where on the application I live in PA also and looking for supervision myself.

The PA Counseling Association (PCA) has on their website a listing of available, qualified LPC supervisors. I do supervision for LPC, and honestly, it's just as hard to find people to supervise! The people I have supervised have been friends of collegues.

M Hess in Palmyra, Pennsylvania said: I realized paying someone would be the only way to complete my required hours. I now have my LPC and it has helped some in finding jobs, but the market in our area is saturated and not easy to find good pay.

How did you find someone and may I ask, what did you pay them?
Thanks!

The PA Counseling Association (PCA) has on their website a listing of available, qualified LPC supervisors. I do supervision for LPC, and honestly, it's just as hard to find people to supervise! The people I have supervised have been friends of collegues. Rates vary depending on the clincian. Some will consider doing a sliding fee, some have set rates. I've heard of people paying as much as $150 per hour for supervision. You can also obtain up to half of the supervisised hours in a group setting, which usually costs less per hour. Often groups meet once a month for 3 hours. PA stipulates a maximum of six supervisees per group.

Does anyone have a template for tracking clinical hours necessary for LPC licensure?

Claudia in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania said: The PA Counseling Association (PCA) has on their website a listing of available, qualified LPC supervisors. I do supervision for LPC, and honestly, it's just as hard to find people to supervise! The people I have supervised have been friends of collegues.

I think if you market to the graduate schools as well as mental health clinics that hire non lpc's you will be surprised how many graduates will be delighted to have your services. Maybe contacting the career intern placement person

Thanks for your suggestions!

Does anyone know if it is possible to accumulate hours towards licensure (LPC) in the state of Ga while working in the UK? I may be overseas for a year and was wondering if I had online/skype supervision from someone in Ga if I could work in the UK and accumulate hours towards my LPC. I'd love any feedback anyone may have on this! Thank you so much!

Michael Courtney in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania said: Does anyone have a template for tracking clinical hours necessary for LPC licensure?

I do I provide u with a copy tomorrow.

Eliza in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: Does anyone know if I can be supervised by an out-of-state LPC (by phone/Skype) as I work toward my LPC in Pennsylvania? I need 3600 hours of supervised post-Master's work experience, 1,800 of which need to be supervised by an LPC. But I'm unclear whether that LPC needs to be PA licensed.

Thanks so much.

My guess is no.

CR in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: Does anyone know if working as a behavioral specialist consultant (Bsc) or mobile therapist counts as the clinical experience hours needed to become an lpc?

I will advice is to check with the licensure board in your state.

anar in Gresham, Oregon said: My guess is no.

the supervision must be a PA licensed professional counselor (as states have different requirements for LPC in the first place) and the supervision must be face to face.

Thank you for all the input everyone has offered!

anar in Gresham, Oregon said: I do I provide u with a copy tomorrow.

I have not received the copy as yet. E-mail at oneleader@comcast.net and thanks.

anar in Gresham, Oregon said: I do I provide u with a copy tomorrow.

I have not received this as yet. Send to oneleader@comcast.net and thanks.

I have a waiting list for my potential supervisees since my group is currently full. it is an honor and privilege to do this work. while i appreciate this forum ill restate the obvious that any questions that pertain to what the expectations are should be directed to your specific state board. in Pennsylvania the board has a terrifc web site and if anything is unclear you can call or email the board for clarification. they exist to assist you through this maze as well as to protect the public and maintain professional standards.

for instance, ive seen some supervisors in my state advertise that they will meet in a public area like a book store coffee shop or offer phone or skype supervision when they must know or should know that only F2F counts in our state. it is very important to follow your state guidelines to the letter to avoid any misunderstandings.

the quality of the supervision is more important than just racking up the hours and i turn down a lot of folks who seem to want to do supervision just to get their paperwork signed. ive even seen supervisors highlight that piece in their descriptions which to me is not a good sign. supervision is where all your grad studies and work comes together and pre licensed supervision can be the foundation of your success as a professional in our field. it is well worth the time and effort and like all things you get back what you put in and then some.

I've found local community organizations where you can volunteer hours under the supervision of an LPC (or other eligible supervisor) to work towards licensing. But the places I've found typically have long wait lists, or no open positions. These can take some digging to find, but worth it! I know that people getting their post-Master's LPC hours are sometimes called "externs", or do "externships", so you could try doing an internet search with those terms. Another option is to look into local mental health counselor directories - sometimes, a professional will indicate that they supervise post-Master's people, and you can touch base with them. It's not uncommon to pay a fee for this, and the rates can vary GREATLY.

But for anyone starting this process, DEFINITELY look into your state's regulations about the LPC supervision. Like Deborah said, some states ONLY count face-to-face (no phone, no webcam, no Skype, etc.) contact with a supervisor as eligible. Or, if you're doing group supervision, there may be limits on how many supervisees can be in the group, or a cap on the total number of supervision hours you can get in a group setting.

If anyone knows of any Milwaukee, WI area opportunities for LPC supervision (for fee, or for volunteering), feel free to email me! My address is misk88an@gmail.com .

I am so confused as to whay I need to do once I graduate in 3 months. I think I have to take the NCE first, but do I need a certain number of hours to take that? then , the LPC, and how many hours for that? I have people willing to supervise me , but I feel and sound like an idiiot because everything I read just gets me more and more confused!!!! I have over 600 hours already and counting. By the time, I finish, I will have 1200. I plan to stay in South Carolina.....

Deborah in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: I have a waiting list for my potential supervisees since my group is currently full. it is an honor and privilege to do this work. while i appreciate this forum ill restate the obvious that any questions that pertain to what the expectations are should be directed to your specific state board. in Pennsylvania the board has a terrifc web site and if anything is unclear you can call or email the board for clarification. they exist to assist you through this maze as well as to protect the public and maintain professional standards.

for instance, ive seen some supervisors in my state advertise that they will meet in a public area like a book store coffee shop or offer phone or skype supervision when they must know or should know that only F2F counts in our state. it is very important to follow your state guidelines to the letter to avoid any misunderstandings.

the quality of the supervision is more important than just racking up the hours and i turn down a lot of folks who seem to want to do supervision just to get their paperwork signed. ive even seen supervisors highlight that piece in their descriptions which to me is not a good sign. supervision is where all your grad studies and work comes together and pre licensed supervision can be the foundation of your success as a professional in our field. it is well worth the time and effort and like all things you get back what you put in and then some.

I agree, I am working with LPC's who are not as smart as I thought when it comes to being theraputic

well i wasnt saying that at all so sorry if it seemed that way. my pont was just that even some supervisors dont seem to understand their state regs so always best to contact ones state board for direction. supervision should occur in a private setting due to confidentiality.

www.debowens.com

Melissa in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I paid someone to supervise my post master's hours because no one wants to do it for free and even if you find a job and someone promises they can sign for your hours, if they leave, you are stuck. I had to quit many jobs post grad school to try to find someone qualified to supervise me, but then I realized paying someone would be the only way to complete my required hours. I now have my LPC and it has helped some in finding jobs, but the market in our area is saturated and not easy to find good pay.

Does anyone know how saturated the counseling arket is across the US? A federal department statistic predicted more jobs than student between 2008-18

I am trying to find out exactly what the regulation is for counting the 3,500 supervised hours required to obtain a LPC in NJ.

Do we start counting the 3,500 hours as soon as we get our Master's Degree (mine is in Professional Counseling) May 2011, or do only start counting the hours as of when I finally obtained my LAC, which was November 2011. I have been working at a non-profit since May, and thought I couldn't count those hours between May and November and only could count the hours earned after November, once I had the LAC? There are many "stories" out there, and last summer, the person at the state said "after the LAC" and now the person at the state said, "She thinks the
hours count as soon as you get your Masters Degree??" I need SOMEONE WHO KNOWS to clear this up for me...the differenc for me is about 700 hours!! Thanks.

Hey Everyone,

I am a recent graduate with my master's in Counseling Psychology. I wish to get my LPC. I am extremely lost and confused. As I am reading this website as well as the website for DC licensure, there are a lot of questions to ask. My first question is do I have to get all the hours before I take the exam, or can I take the exam become an LPC-Intern and then get a job and then get my hours. I have tried several times to call the office and no one picks or answers my voicemails that I leave behind or emails me back. I am having a hard time finding a job where someone can supervise me. Any suggestions or advice and guidance would be much appreciated!!!

Claudia, are you still doing supervision? I am desperately seeking someone to finish my last 1500 hours under LPC that is not going to make me broke as I am still a doc student. If anyone has other suggestions that would be helpful. I am really having a hard time finding someone despite being in such a saturated area. I can be reached at brilliantkg@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Jennifer Brady and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, as well as a Certified Psychologist and Board Certified Psychotherapist, and have a MA in Clincical Counseling and a PHD (ABD) in Human Services with a concentraion on Counseling. I fit the criteria to provide supervision to those pursuing licensure and have been doing so for the last few years. Please contact me at JJBRADYSPC@AOL.COM to discuss your needs.

Anyone know how many hours are required for licensure in Mental Health counseling when you graduate?

Anonstar in Columbia, South Carolina said: Did you take your NCE exam yet? If not, you'll need to take the NCE exam and pass it, so you will be considered an LPC-I [ Intern ]. You will need to get a job working under a LPC-S [supervisor] to sign off on your hours after that. Depending on which state you live in, depends on how many hours you need. In SC we need 150 supervised hours. You can work at any clinic, hospital , etc under a LPC's, Doctors, etc in order to get the rest of your hours needed. Most LPC-I work in the field. Depending on where you live will depend how not driving or having transportation will affect your job.

I am unclear about these 150 hours and wondering if you may be able to help. In PA we need 3000 hours of supervised clinical experience of 1500 hours MUST be under an LPC and the other 1500 can be under a licensed psychologist, social worker... BUT my confusion is then these 150 hours of direct face to face supervision- do they all have to be provided by the LPC or can some of those hours be with the other supervisor I have who is not an LPC and if so what is the breakdown of that? Thanks for ANY help!

Jenn, again you really need to email or call your state board. do not rely on this type of forum to answer such critical questions. in pa they are very helpful for clarification. its all on line on their site and last i checked it must be f2f. half of total must be with lpc.

In pa, only half if your hours of supervision can be by a licensed professional of another discipline ie pscologist or lcsw. The rest must be with an lpc

An

Claudia Arndts in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania said: In pa, only half if your hours of supervision can be by a licensed professional of another discipline ie pscologist or lcsw. The rest must be with an lpc

and yes, you need to familiarize yourself with pa regs.

Noor in Washington, District of Columbia said: Hey Everyone,

I am a recent graduate with my master's in Counseling Psychology. I wish to get my LPC. I am extremely lost and confused. As I am reading this website as well as the website for DC licensure, there are a lot of questions to ask. My first question is do I have to get all the hours before I take the exam, or can I take the exam become an LPC- Intern and then get a job and then get my hours. I have tried several times to call the office and no one picks or answers my voicemails that I leave behind or emails me back. I am having a hard time finding a job where someone can supervise me. Any suggestions or advice and guidance would be much appreciated!!!

You might want to look into getting your license in Maryland or Delaware. Look at their boards, email them, and compare. Once you get your license, it can be converted to whatever state you want pretty predictably. Maryland lets you have an intern license, so you can bill MA for the hours you spend being supervised. Pennsylvania does not. Also, I have called and emailed the PA board, and they have always gotten back to me.
Good Luck!

I am an LPC Supervisor in Houston, TX. I offer supervision to LPC Interns through out the state of Texas via Skype because the board now allows the use of web cams. Supervision via Skype (web cams) can be used for up to 50% of supervision times. Because you need direct and non-direct contact hours, your hours can be gained in various ways. (Professional Development, i.e., coursework, workshops, independent study can count as non-direct hours.) If any potential intern in the state of TX has any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help future helpers!
Sherell Hebert, LPC
www.lpcsupervisortx.com
www,houstoncounselor.me
sherell@houstoncounselor.me

www.houstoncounselor.me

Hi Folks, I'm currently working and being supervised in Ga and I'm looking to get my license in GA and Tn (I live in TN). Anyone aware of any group supervision in the Chattanooga area? I have an opportunity to work with my GP in TN as a therapist and of course he cannot supervise me so I will need to have supervision in TN. All suggestions welcome.

Eolyn in Columbia, Maryland said: I have a Master's degree in professional counseling . I worked as an intake counselor at a nonprofit agtency from 2007 to 2008, but the position ended when funding for the position ran out. I want to get my LPC license. I've already finished the coursework and credit hours, but I need supervised hours. Most of the counseling positions I'm considering applying for require licensure. But I need the supervised hours as part of getting a license. Also, I don't drive or own a car. Can someone give me advice where to apply with the experience I do have? Please help.

In Maryland, you need to apply for LGPC (licensed graduate professional counselor) status and take the NCE (national counseling exam). Then you will be able to work through temp agencies in order to get your hours.

vhumbert1@hotmail.com in Baltimore, Maryland said: In Maryland, you need to apply for LGPC (licensed graduate professional counselor) status and take the NCE (national counseling exam). Then you will be able to work through temp agencies in order to get your hours.

Can I also do that even though I live in Washington, D.C.? If that is the case, that would help me out more than in DC. Thanks!

Anyone know the details for Massachusetts. I'm currently in graduate school in a 60 hour program, does mass require a practicum & internship and do you have to finish a set amount of hours prior to taking a test for licensure? Is there only 1 test? Thank you for the input. It's a daunting task figuring it all out!

God bless,
Melissa

If anyone in the Pittsburgh, PA region is seeking LPC Supervision services, I have a few openings available. Please contact me via my website for more information.
www.thecounselinghouse.com/PALPCSupervision.en.html
Thank you,
Jennifer Melnick Carota, MS, LPC, NCC
Owner, Director
The Counseling House

Claudia in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania said: The PA Counseling Association (PCA) has on their website a listing of available, qualified LPC supervisors. I do supervision for LPC, and honestly, it's just as hard to find people to supervise! The people I have supervised have been friends of collegues. Rates vary depending on the clincian. Some will consider doing a sliding fee, some have set rates. I've heard of people paying as much as $150 per hour for supervision. You can also obtain up to half of the supervisised hours in a group setting, which usually costs less per hour. Often groups meet once a month for 3 hours. PA stipulates a maximum of six supervisees per group.

Just curious. Does this allow the intern any income? How does the intern earn the $150 per hour to pay the supervisor? Does the supervisor require a certain amount of the hourly rate charged to the customer, leaving a difference for the intern? I'm just wondering how the interns would be able to pay their supervisors. It doesn't make sense to me unless it was a portion of the customer's hourly fee?

Please note that internships are not the same as post grad hrs toward a license. Your grad school can direct you on this but most internships occur while you are in grad school and you get credits for that experience but rarely get pd for the work however the supervison is free.

Once you hold a Masters you get a real job in the field where you are pd a salary as an emplyee (not an intern) and 99% of the time any supervsion you get there is free.
Some people do not have access to an appropriately licensed supervsior at these jobs or even if they do they want to pursue private supervision perhaps because they want to accelerate the hrs or bcause they feel they need a difference perspective.
So check with your grad school but note that pre graduation/degree internships are not the same as the hrs you'll need in your stae toward a license and that typically begins at your first job post obtaining your Masters. Hope this helps clarify. Perhaps someone from TX can chime in.
Also, post grad supervision is not necessarily 150. per hr. The range I've seen is 50-135. with 75 or so being average and group is usually 25-45 per hr.

Above is based on my state--Pennsylvania. Perhaps TX has different terminology. Good luck. I know it can be confusing thats why your grad school and state board have people to help walk you through it.

www.debowens.com