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Arizona Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Arizona Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating the licensure renewal process for counselors and therapists in Arizona can be complex, but staying informed about renewal deadlines and continuing education (CE) requirements is crucial to maintaining your professional standing.

Arizona’s Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) oversees the licensure for counselors and therapists, ensuring that professionals in these fields meet the state’s standards for competence and care. Understanding when your license is due for renewal and the specific CE credits you need can help you avoid costly delays or penalties.

For licensed counselors and therapists in Arizona, renewal deadlines and CE requirements vary based on your specific license type and the length of your licensure cycle. Whether you hold a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) designation, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these timelines to ensure a smooth renewal process. Arizona typically requires renewal every two years, along with completion of specific continuing education hours, covering both general and ethics-related coursework.

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.

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1) Key Arizona Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

Arizona requires professional counselors and therapists to meet specific educational and practical experience requirements before obtaining licensure.

The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) oversees the licensing process for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs), as well as other specialized credentials for therapists. Below are the key requirements, renewal details, and associated fees for these licenses.

1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

  • Education: Master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Experience:
    • Completion of at least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience over at least two years.
    • 1,600 of those hours must be direct client contact.
  • Examination: Passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
  • CE Requirements: 30 hours of continuing education every two years, with 3 hours dedicated to ethics.

2. Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)

  • Education: Same as LPC—master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
  • Experience: No post-degree experience required for licensure; however, supervised experience is needed to progress to LPC.
  • Examination: Passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE.
  • Supervision: Must work under the supervision of an LPC, licensed psychologist, or other approved professional until qualifying for LPC.
  • CE Requirements: Required to meet the same CE standards if they renew their LAC while working toward their LPC.

3. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

  • Education: Master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from an accredited institution.
  • Experience:
    • Completion of 3,200 hours of supervised work experience, with at least 1,600 hours of direct client contact.
  • Examination: Passing score on the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.
  • CE Requirements: 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours in ethics.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

Licenses for counselors and therapists in Arizona must be renewed every two years. In Arizona, there is no single, fixed renewal deadline date for all licensed counselors and therapists. Instead, the license renewal deadline is based on the individual’s license issuance date. Specifically, your license must be renewed every two years from the date it was issued.

The AZBBHE requires all licensees to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during this period. This includes a minimum of 3 hours in ethics for all licenses. If you fail to meet the CE requirements or do not renew on time, your license will expire, and you will need to reinstate it, which includes additional fees.

Fees for Licensure and Renewal

Below is a breakdown of the fees associated with obtaining and renewing counseling and therapy licenses in Arizona:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Fees:
    • Initial Application Fee: $250
    • License Issuance Fee: $250
    • Renewal Fee: $325 (every two years)
    • Late Renewal Fee: $100
  • Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) Fees:
    • Initial Application Fee: $250
    • License Issuance Fee: $100
    • Renewal Fee: $200 (every two years)
    • Late Renewal Fee: $100
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Fees:
    • Initial Application Fee: $250
    • License Issuance Fee: $250
    • Renewal Fee: $325 (every two years)
    • Late Renewal Fee: $100

Additional Fees

  • Fingerprint Clearance Card: All applicants must obtain a fingerprint clearance card, which typically costs $65.
  • Reinstatement Fee: For licenses that have lapsed beyond the renewal window, a reinstatement fee of $200 is required in addition to the renewal fee.

Sources:

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

2) Arizona Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

Arizona requires all licensed counselors and therapists to complete specific Continuing Education (CE) hours as part of the licensure renewal process. These requirements are overseen by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE), ensuring that licensed professionals stay current on industry standards, ethical practices, and new developments in their fields.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the CE requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Associate Counselors (LACs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Arizona.

1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

  • Total CE Hours: 30 hours of continuing education every two years.
  • Ethics Requirement: Out of the 30 hours, at least 3 hours must be in ethics. This can include topics like confidentiality, professional boundaries, and legal issues affecting counseling practice.
  • Eligible CE Activities:
    • Workshops, conferences, or seminars relevant to counseling or mental health.
    • Graduate-level coursework in counseling or behavioral health topics.
    • Teaching or presenting relevant material can count towards CE hours, although only for the first time the material is presented.
    • Publishing scholarly work in a counseling-related field may also count towards CE credit.
  • Approved Providers: CE courses must be offered by providers approved by recognized organizations, such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), or regionally accredited universities.

2. Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)

  • Total CE Hours: LACs must also complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years if they renew their license before transitioning to LPC.
  • Ethics Requirement: As with LPCs, 3 of these hours must be dedicated to ethics.
  • Eligible CE Activities: Similar to LPCs, LACs can attend workshops, seminars, or academic courses, and may also count teaching, presenting, or publishing toward their CE requirements.

3. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

  • Total CE Hours: 30 hours of continuing education every two years.
  • Ethics Requirement: Like LPCs, LMFTs are also required to complete at least 3 hours of ethics education. Topics may cover confidentiality, dual relationships, and ethical issues specific to marriage and family therapy.
  • Eligible CE Activities:
    • Attendance at workshops, conferences, or university courses related to marriage and family therapy or behavioral health.
    • Presenting at a professional workshop or conference counts towards CE, as long as it is the first time the material is presented.
    • Publication of articles or books related to marriage and family therapy may be applied toward CE credit.
  • Approved Providers: CE must be provided by an organization such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) or other recognized professional bodies.

Key Points to Remember for All Licensees:

  • Documentation: Licensees must maintain records of their CE activities for at least four years. This includes certificates of completion, transcripts for academic courses, or documentation of teaching or presenting.
  • Audit: AZBBHE may conduct random audits to verify compliance with CE requirements. Failing to provide proper documentation during an audit could result in disciplinary action.
  • Excess CE Hours: If a licensee completes more than the required 30 hours during a two-year period, excess hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal cycle.
  • Online CE: Online or distance-learning courses are acceptable as long as they are from approved providers and meet the CE criteria outlined by AZBBHE.

Special CE Requirements

In addition to ethics training, some counselors and therapists may choose to focus on specialty areas within their continuing education to better serve specific populations. For example:

  • Supervision CE: LPCs or LMFTs who supervise other therapists or counselors may take supervision-specific courses, which can count toward CE requirements.
  • Cultural Competency: Arizona encourages professionals to engage in CE that increases cultural competency, especially in serving diverse populations within the state.

Failure to Meet CE Requirements

Failure to complete the necessary CE hours within the two-year licensure cycle may result in penalties, including additional fees, and the potential suspension of a license. Those who miss the renewal deadline will have to pay a late renewal fee and complete any outstanding CE credits before they can reinstate their license.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Arizona’s 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 – Arizona Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What happens if I miss my licensure renewal deadline for LPC or LMFT in Arizona?

A: If you miss your licensure renewal deadline, your license will expire, and you will no longer be legally allowed to practice counseling or therapy in Arizona. To reinstate your license, you will need to pay a late renewal fee ($100) in addition to the standard renewal fee ($325 for LPCs and LMFTs). You must also meet all continuing education (CE) requirements before reinstating your license. Failing to reinstate within a certain time frame could lead to more severe consequences, such as the need to apply for a completely new license.

Q: Can I complete all my Continuing Education (CE) hours online, and are there restrictions on the types of courses that count?

A: Yes, you can complete your CE hours online as long as the courses are offered by approved providers, such as those accredited by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or other recognized professional bodies. However, Arizona requires that 3 of your 30 CE hours be focused on ethics.

It’s important to ensure that any online courses you take include topics relevant to counseling, marriage and family therapy, or behavioral health, and that they provide certificates of completion for your records. AZBBHE does not restrict the number of online CE hours, as long as the content meets these standards.

Q: What qualifies as an acceptable Continuing Education (CE) activity for license renewal in Arizona?

A: Acceptable CE activities include attending workshops, conferences, or university-level courses related to counseling, marriage and family therapy, or behavioral health. Teaching or presenting a workshop or course, publishing articles or books in your field, or completing graduate-level coursework are also acceptable activities.

However, activities like teaching or presenting can only count towards CE credit if it is your first time delivering that material. All CE activities must be completed through an approved provider, such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), AAMFT, or a regionally accredited university.

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

4) Conclusion

Maintaining licensure as a counselor or therapist in Arizona is not only a regulatory requirement but an essential part of your professional growth and commitment to high standards of care. Staying informed about licensure renewal dates, CE requirements, and fees ensures that you remain compliant with state regulations and continue providing the highest quality of care to your clients.

The process of completing 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including the required ethics training, is an opportunity to expand your knowledge, improve your skills, and better serve your community. CE activities allow you to explore new therapeutic techniques, understand changes in mental health trends, and address evolving ethical issues.

Whether attending workshops, completing online courses, or engaging in professional development, the time and effort you invest into your continuing education ultimately benefit both you and your clients.

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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