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Continuing Education

Alaska Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Agents of Change
Agents of Change Published October 1, 2024
⏱️ 10 min read

Navigating the renewal process for professional licensure as a counselor or therapist in Alaska can be complex but is essential for maintaining your practice. As a licensed mental health professional, staying up to date with state-specific requirements ensures that you remain compliant with legal and ethical standards. In Alaska, the renewal dates and continuing education (CE) requirements are designed to keep counselors and therapists knowledgeable and skilled, ensuring they provide high-quality care to their clients.

Alaska’s licensure renewal process typically operates on a biennial basis, meaning licensed professionals must renew their credentials every two years. The exact renewal deadline varies depending on the type of counseling or therapy license you hold, but all professionals must complete a set number of continuing education hours before submitting their renewal application.

These CE requirements are intended to promote ongoing learning and professional development, allowing practitioners to stay current with the latest practices, techniques, and industry standards.

Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet your state’s requirements for Continuing Education credits.

We’ve helped thousands of Counselors and Therapists with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 FREE CEs!

1) Key Alaska Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In Alaska, counselors and therapists must meet specific educational, clinical experience, and examination requirements to be licensed. There are two primary types of licenses for mental health professionals in the state: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Alaska working with the community outside in a small group. The background should clearly convey the state through architecture or nature displayed, high quality faces.

Below are the details of credentialing and licensure requirements, including renewal details and associated fees.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Educational Requirements:
To become an LPC in Alaska, applicants must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution. The program must include at least 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits.

Clinical Experience:
LPC candidates are required to complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Of these, 1,000 hours must be in direct client contact, and at least 100 hours should be face-to-face supervision by an LPC or another qualified supervisor.

Examination:
Applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Licensure Renewal and CE Requirements:
LPCs must renew their license every two years. The renewal requires the completion of 40 continuing education (CE) hours, with at least three hours in ethics. CE credits must be earned from approved providers.

Renewal Fees:
The renewal fee for an LPC in Alaska is $500 every two years.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Educational Requirements:
LMFT candidates must have a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from an accredited institution. The degree program must consist of at least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of coursework.

Clinical Experience:
LMFT applicants must complete 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 200 hours of supervision, with at least 100 hours in individual supervision and the rest in group supervision. The supervisor must be a licensed marriage and family therapist or another qualified mental health professional.

Examination:
Candidates must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.

Licensure Renewal and CE Requirements:
Like LPCs, LMFTs are required to renew their licenses every two years. They must complete 40 hours of continuing education during this period, with at least three hours specifically in ethics.

Renewal Fees:
The renewal fee for an LMFT license in Alaska is $500.

Additional Fees and Details

  • Initial Application Fee for LPC: $200
  • Initial Application Fee for LMFT: $200
  • Temporary License Fee (for both LPC and LMFT): $100
  • Examination Fees: Applicants are responsible for the cost of their licensing exams. The NCE fee is around $275, while the AMFTRB exam costs approximately $355.
  • Late Renewal Fees: If you miss the renewal deadline, there is a $100 late fee in addition to the standard renewal fee.

Sources:

  1. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development – Board of Professional Counselors
  2. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – National Counselor Examination
  3. Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB): https://www.amftrb.org/

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Alaska requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) Alaska Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Alaska, continuing education (CE) is a key requirement for the renewal of licenses for counselors and therapists, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).

The purpose of CE requirements is to ensure that mental health professionals continue to stay current with best practices, ethics, and new developments in the field, which enhances the quality of care they provide to clients. Below are the detailed CE requirements for counselors and therapists in Alaska.

General Continuing Education Requirements

For both LPCs and LMFTs in Alaska, the state mandates that licensed professionals complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years before their license renewal. These 40 hours must meet specific criteria:

  • At least 3 hours must be dedicated to ethics training. This can cover topics like confidentiality, professional boundaries, and other ethical standards that govern the mental health profession.
  • Continuing education courses must be approved by a recognized provider or organization. This typically includes national organizations such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and other relevant accrediting bodies.

Specific CE Requirements for LPCs

Licensed Professional Counselors must meet the general CE requirements outlined above, but they also have additional guidelines regarding the types of educational activities that can count toward their CE hours. LPCs can earn credits through a variety of methods, including:

  • Workshops and seminars approved by a state or national mental health organization.
  • Online courses from accredited providers, as long as they meet the educational standards outlined by the Alaska Board of Professional Counselors.
  • Academic courses that are relevant to counseling, taken at accredited colleges or universities.
  • Presentations or publications: Counselors can receive CE credits by presenting professional workshops or publishing research in peer-reviewed journals, though there are limits on how many hours can be earned through these activities.

Specific CE Requirements for LMFTs

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists in Alaska must also complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, with the same stipulation of 3 hours dedicated to ethics training. However, LMFTs can also earn CE credits in ways specific to their field, including:

  • Marriage and family therapy-focused courses, which must address topics directly related to marriage and family therapy practices.
  • CE credits can be earned through a combination of live workshops, online webinars, and self-study programs, as long as these are provided by accredited organizations like the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) or other relevant bodies.
  • Similar to LPCs, LMFTs can earn a portion of their CE credits through teaching, research, or publication, but these activities are capped at a certain number of hours.

Acceptable CE Providers

In order to meet Alaska’s requirements, CE activities must be provided by organizations or institutions that are recognized and accredited by professional mental health bodies. Some examples of recognized providers include:

  • National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  • American Counseling Association (ACA)
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  • Accredited universities or colleges offering relevant coursework
  • State-level professional organizations related to mental health and counseling

Auditing and Reporting

Although it is not mandatory to submit proof of CE credits during the renewal application process, licensed counselors and therapists must maintain documentation of their continuing education activities for at least four years.

The Alaska Board of Professional Counselors and the Alaska Board of Marital and Family Therapy may audit licensees at random to verify that the CE requirements have been met. During an audit, professionals must provide certificates of completion or other proof of their continuing education credits.

Failure to Meet CE Requirements

Failure to complete the required 40 hours of continuing education within the renewal period could result in disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation. Additionally, the Board imposes a late renewal fee if CE hours are not completed by the renewal deadline, and professionals are not allowed to practice until their license is renewed and the CE hours are verified.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Alaska Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEs, with over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet these requirements!

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

3. FAQs – Alaska Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What happens if I don’t meet the continuing education (CE) requirements by the time my license is due for renewal?

A: If you fail to complete the required 40 hours of continuing education (including 3 hours in ethics) by the license renewal deadline, you may face penalties such as late fees or even suspension of your license. The Alaska Board of Professional Counselors and the Board of Marital and Family Therapy require that all CE hours be completed within the two-year renewal period.

Practicing without a valid license could result in further disciplinary action. It is essential to plan your continuing education well in advance to avoid these complications. If your CE credits are incomplete, your license renewal application will not be processed until you meet the requirements.

Q: Can I carry over extra continuing education (CE) hours to the next renewal period?

A: No, Alaska does not allow counselors and therapists to carry over any excess continuing education hours from one renewal period to the next. Each renewal cycle requires 40 new hours of CE to be completed within that specific two-year period.

It is important to track your hours and ensure that you do not rely on CE activities from a previous cycle to meet your current renewal requirements. Proper planning and documentation are key to staying compliant.

Q: What types of continuing education activities are acceptable for meeting Alaska’s CE requirements?

A: Alaska allows licensed counselors and therapists to earn continuing education credits through a variety of approved methods. These include attending workshops, seminars, and conferences hosted by accredited organizations, completing online courses from recognized providers, and enrolling in relevant academic courses from accredited colleges or universities.

Additionally, professionals can earn CE hours by presenting workshops or publishing research, though there are limits on how many hours can be obtained through these activities. All CE activities must be related to counseling or marriage and family therapy, and at least 3 hours must focus on ethics. Be sure to choose activities offered by accredited organizations like the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet Alaska Counselor and Therapist CE requirements. 

4) Conclusion

Maintaining licensure as a counselor or therapist in Alaska requires a clear understanding of the state’s credentialing, renewal, and continuing education (CE) requirements. By staying informed of these guidelines, professionals can ensure they meet their obligations and continue practicing without interruptions. The process may seem complex, but careful planning and proactive completion of CE credits help make license renewal smoother and more efficient.

Continuing education is not just a regulatory requirement; it is an opportunity for professional growth. By engaging in ongoing learning, counselors and therapists can stay updated on the latest techniques, research, and ethical standards in their fields, ultimately improving the quality of care they provide to clients. The emphasis on ethics, in particular, underscores the importance of maintaining high professional standards, which is essential in the sensitive field of mental health.

Resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education provide accessible and varied learning opportunities for Counselors and Therapists to meet Continuing Education requirements. Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education.

We’ve helped thousands of Counselors and Therapists with their Continuing Education and want you to be next!

► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: Agents of Change Continuing Education

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

#counselor #NBCC #therapist #NBCC #continuinged #continuingeducation #ce #freeCE

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

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Agents of Change

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