LICENSURE PROCESS

Licensure Applying

Below is general information about FL clinical mental health counseling licenses and the Florida American Board of Certified Professional Counselors (ABOCPC) application processes.

You must have an active license in order to practice counseling in the state of Florida.

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Licensure Overview

Available Licenses:

  1. Licensed Christian Clinical Counselor (LCCC)
  2. Licensed Christian Counselor (LCC)
  3. Licensed Christian Marriage and Families Counselor (LCMFC)
  4. Licensed Christian Clinical Psychology (LCCP)
  5. Licensed Christian Psychology (LCP)
  6. Licensed Pastoral Counselor (LPC)
  7. Licensed Biblical Counselor (LBC)

All applications include an administrative fee of $25. Application fees are non-refundable.

Florida does not have reciprocity with other states. Actively licensed clinical mental health counselors in other states can apply for the license by endorsement.

ABOCPC does not regulate members of other regulated professions who do counseling in the normal course of the practice of their profession. 

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) restricted license
  • The LCMHCA license is a pre-requisite for  LCMHC license for new graduates and/or new counseling professionals.
  • Must complete all requirements before licensure can be issued.
  1. Application
  2. Education and Official Transcript(s)
  3. Exams
  4. Professional Disclosure Statement, including disclosure of supervision arrangements
  5. Criminal Background Check
  6. Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience
  • This is a restricted license.
  • CAN NOT work unless an approved supervision contract is on file with the Board Office.
  • License number starts with A Example: A0000
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
  • License for persons with supervised professional. counseling experience.
  • Must complete all requirements before licensure can be issued.
  1. Application.
  2. Education and Official Transcript(s).
  3. Exams.
  4. Professional Disclosure Statement.
  5. Criminal Background Check.
  6. Verification of Supervised Professional Practice.
  • This is an independent licensure (non-restricted).
  • Same license number with no letter at the beginning Example: 0000.
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS) supervision credential
  • License for persons engaged in the practice of counseling who holds a license as a licensed professional counselor and is approved by the Board to provide clinical supervision.
  • Must complete all requirements before credential can be issued.
  1. Application.
  2. Active & unrestricted LCMHC license from (ABOCPC).
  3. Additional education/training specific to clinical supervision.
  4. Professional Disclosure Statement for Supervision.
  5. Criminal Background Check.
  6. Verification of Professional Counseling Experience.
  • License number with S at the beginning Example: S0000.

Application Review Process Overview

This information is being provided to answer frequently asked questions about what happens to the application once it reaches the Board office. Please review the following before calling the Board office.

(ABOCPC) is pleased to offer the online application process, ensure your application is received.

1-  Gathering your Documents.

  • Identification: Drivers License, Passport, State ID or equivalent government issued identification document.
  • CV or Resume (Professional and Ministerial)
  • Titles, Certificates or Degrees awarded.
  • Transcripts
  • Ministerial Credentials
  • One (1) Pastoral or Ministerail Reference Letter
  • Two (2) Personal or Professional Reference Letters
2-  Submitting your application.
  • The first step in the application process is the initial application. All areas of the application that pertain to the license you are applying for must be completed. This completed application, is to be sent to the Board office with payment of fees. 
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all materials have reached the Board office by deadlines established by the Board. 
  • Applications not meeting the standard of completion could be delayed in Board approval for licensure.
  • When the completed application (application, fees, transcripts, references, etc.) is received by the Board office, it undergoes an initial review.
  • If the applicant answers Yes to any item listed in Legal and Ethics section of the application and/or if the criminal section, this becomes part of the Board’s consideration process.
  • If the applicant does not meet the educational requirements as set by the Board, the applicant may be asked to submit additional information such as course descriptions and syllabi. Once the supporting documentation is received, it will be reviewed by the Board’s Educational Reviewer for the next scheduled Board meeting. Once the Board reaches a decision regarding the applicant’s education, he/she will be notified in writing.
  • Applicants can call us to check on their applications status at any time.
  • Applications are valid for 1 year from the date of receipt by the Board Office. Receipt is defined as: Application shall be deemed received by the board office when the office receives the application and processes the applicable fee.

3-  After Initial Review

  • From this point forward, the Board office compiles and verifies all information received for applicants.
  • Once applicant has provided all required documents, the applicant is presented to the Board for review at the next scheduled Board meeting. Please note, going before the Board does not guarantee licensure.
  • At the next scheduled Board meeting, Board members review the candidates, determine if the candidates have met all requirements, and make a decision on licensure. If the candidate has met all requirements, the Board will license the candidate as appropriate.
  • All Board decisions will be sent to the applicant 10-15 business days after the meeting. Do not call the Board office to request information regarding a Board decision immediately following a Board meeting. During this time Candidates for Licensure may check the email on file to learn if a license has been issued.
4-  Once licensed, applicants will need to update their professional disclosure statement. A current copy of this statement must be provided to each client prior to the performance of clinical mental health counseling services. The counselor must retain a file copy of the Professional Disclosure Statement signed by each client.
 
5-  Applicants may not use the term LCCC, LCC, LCMFC, LCCP, LCP, LPC, LBC, or any variation of the term until they have received notice from the Board stating that they may do so.

Disclaimer: All information provided by the Florida American Board Of Certified Professional Counselors (hereafter “the Board”) on this web site is made available to provide immediate access for the convenience of interested persons. While the Board believes the information to be reliable, human or mechanical error remains a possibility, as does delay in the posting or updating of information. Therefore, the Board makes no guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, currency, or for any errors or omissions, or for the use or results obtained from the use of this information. All access to and use of this web site is governed by the Disclaimers as set forth by the Board.