Arkansas Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

1) Key Arkansas Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In Arkansas, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. The licensure process is overseen by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (ARBOEC), which regulates two primary types of licenses: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Each license type has its own education, experience, and examination criteria.

1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Requirements:

To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas, candidates must:

Education: Hold a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. The degree must include at least 60 semester hours of graduate coursework in specific counseling-related areas.
Experience: Complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience under a licensed supervisor. Of these, 1,000 hours must be direct client contact.
Examination: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Application Fee: The application fee for LPC licensure is $200.

2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Requirements:

To obtain an LMFT license, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

Education: Earn a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or a related field with a program that meets state standards, including at least 60 semester hours of coursework.
Experience: Complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical work, of which 1,000 hours must be direct client contact in marriage and family therapy. Additionally, 200 hours of supervision from an approved LMFT supervisor are required.
Examination: Pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.
Application Fee: The application fee for LMFT licensure is $200.

Licensure Renewal Details:

Licensed counselors and therapists in Arkansas are required to renew their licenses every two years. Both LPCs and LMFTs must complete a set number of continuing education (CE) hours to maintain their license. The CE requirements include:

CE Hours: 24 hours of continuing education over a two-year period. Six of these hours must focus on ethical topics.
Renewal Fee: The renewal fee for LPCs and LMFTs is $250, which must be submitted with the renewal application.

Fees Summary:

LPC Application Fee: $200
LMFT Application Fee: $200
Licensure Renewal Fee (LPC and LMFT): $250
Late Renewal Penalty: An additional $100 if the renewal is late.

Additional Fees:

Supervision Registration Fee: $100 for LPC or LMFT candidates seeking supervisor registration.
License Verification Fee: $20 for any verification of licensure requests.

Professionals must submit their renewal applications, fees, and proof of completed CE hours to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling before their license expiration date. Failing to renew on time can result in penalties and, eventually, the suspension of the license, which could prevent further practice.

Sources:

Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (ARBOEC) – https://abec.statesolutions.us
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – https://www.nbcc.org/
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) – https://www.amftrb.org/

These steps and fees ensure that Arkansas counselors and therapists maintain professional standards and stay current with industry practices while fulfilling their licensure obligations.

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

2) Arkansas Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Arkansas, counselors and therapists are required to complete specific continuing education (CE) hours to maintain their licensure. Continuing education ensures that licensed professionals stay updated on the latest developments in their field, improve their skills, and uphold ethical standards in their practice.

The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (ARBOEC) outlines clear requirements for CE that must be fulfilled within each licensure renewal cycle.

Continuing Education Requirements for LPCs and LMFTs:

Total CE Hours: Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensure renewal cycle.
Ethics Requirement: Of the 24 total CE hours, 6 hours must specifically address ethics. This ensures that counselors and therapists consistently refresh their knowledge of professional ethics, which is crucial for maintaining proper client care and legal compliance in the field.
Approved Providers: Continuing education hours must be completed through approved providers. Some of the most commonly accepted CE providers include:
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- Arkansas Counseling Association (ArCA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Providers who are not automatically approved can still offer courses if they obtain prior approval from the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling. It’s essential to verify whether a course or provider meets the state’s criteria before enrolling.
Acceptable CE Activities: CE hours can be earned through various activities, such as:
- Attending workshops, seminars, and professional conferences
- Completing online courses that are approved by recognized organizations
- Teaching or presenting in workshops and educational programs related to counseling or therapy
- Writing articles or conducting research in counseling-related fields (limits apply)
Documentation: Licensees must keep records of their completed CE hours, including certificates of completion or transcripts. The ARBOEC may request proof of CE during the renewal process or as part of random audits. Failing to provide this documentation could lead to penalties, including delayed renewal or license suspension.
Carrying Over Hours: In Arkansas, excess CE hours completed during a renewal period cannot be carried over to the next period. Licensees must earn the required 24 hours during each two-year cycle, regardless of additional hours earned in the previous cycle.
Online and In-Person CE: CE hours can be completed through both online and in-person activities, as long as they are provided by approved organizations. Online options offer flexibility for busy professionals to complete their CE requirements at their own pace.

CE Audits and Compliance:

The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling reserves the right to audit licensed professionals for compliance with CE requirements. In the event of an audit, counselors and therapists must provide copies of certificates, attendance records, or other forms of verification to prove they have completed the necessary CE hours. Non-compliance with CE requirements can lead to fines, license suspension, or the inability to renew the license until requirements are met.

Renewal and Late Fees:

It’s important to complete the required CE hours before the license renewal date. If a counselor or therapist fails to complete their CE hours or misses the renewal deadline, they may face a late fee of $100 in addition to the $250 renewal fee. Licenses not renewed within a specific grace period can result in suspension, which may also require additional reinstatement fees and completion of delinquent CE requirements to reactivate the license.

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

Q: What happens if I don’t complete the required Continuing Education (CE) hours before my licensure renewal date?

A: If you do not complete the required 24 CE hours, including the 6 hours focused on ethics, by your licensure renewal date, you will not be able to renew your license on time. This can result in a late renewal penalty of $100 in addition to the standard $250 renewal fee.

If you fail to renew your license within the grace period, your license may be suspended, and you will be prohibited from practicing until it is reinstated. Reinstatement typically involves completing the missing CE hours, paying additional fees, and submitting a reinstatement application to the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling.

Q: Can I carry over extra CE hours to the next renewal cycle?

A: No, Arkansas does not allow counselors or therapists to carry over extra CE hours from one renewal cycle to the next. You must complete the required 24 CE hours during each two-year cycle. Any additional CE hours earned beyond the 24-hour requirement will not count toward the next renewal period, so it’s important to plan and ensure that your hours are completed within the appropriate cycle.

Q: Are online continuing education courses accepted for Arkansas licensure renewal?

A: Yes, online continuing education courses are accepted for licensure renewal in Arkansas, as long as they are offered by approved providers such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), or other organizations recognized by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling.

It’s important to verify that the online course you choose is from an approved provider to ensure it counts toward your CE requirement.

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

4) Conclusion

► 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.

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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