Delaware Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

In Delaware, counselors and therapists must meet specific educational, experience, and examination requirements to become licensed. There are several types of licenses available depending on the level of training and specialization.

Below is an overview of the licensure requirements for counselors and therapists, including credentialing, renewal details, and associated costs.

Credentialing Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH):
- Education: A master’s degree or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling or a closely related field from an accredited program.
- Supervised Experience: A minimum of 3,200 hours of post-master’s supervised experience in mental health counseling over at least two years.
- Examination: Must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH):
- Education: A master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling or a closely related field.
- Supervised Experience: This license is intended for counselors who are working under supervision while completing the required 3,200 hours of post-master’s experience for full LPCMH licensure.
- Examination: Must pass the NCE or the NCMHCE to progress toward full licensure as an LPCMH.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: A minimum of 3,200 hours of supervised post-degree experience in marriage and family therapy over at least two years.
- Examination: Must pass the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy offered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

Licenses for both LPCMH and LMFT must be renewed every two years in Delaware. Renewal involves the submission of renewal applications, proof of completion of continuing education (CE) requirements, and payment of fees.

LPCMH Licensure Renewal:
- Renewal Period: Every two years. The specific deadline for renewal varies depending on when your license was initially issued
- Continuing Education (CE): 40 hours of CE, including three hours in ethics.
- Cost: $172 renewal fee.
LACMH Licensure Renewal:
- Renewal Period: Every two years. The specific deadline for renewal varies depending on when your license was initially issued
- Continuing Education: None required for this license as it is a temporary, supervised license.
- Cost: $172 renewal fee.
LMFT Licensure Renewal:
- Renewal Period: Every two years. The specific deadline for renewal varies depending on when your license was initially issued
- Continuing Education (CE): 40 hours of CE, including three hours in ethics.
- Cost: $172 renewal fee.

Fees for Specific Licenses

Initial Application Fees:
- LPCMH: $264
- LACMH: $264
- LMFT: $264
License Renewal Fees:
- LPCMH: $172
- LACMH: $172
- LMFT: $172
Late Renewal Penalty:
- A late fee may apply if you do not renew by the due date, which is typically an additional $20 per month after expiration.

Sources:

Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals: Delaware Counselor Licensing
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): NCE and NCMHCE Examinations
Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB): AMFTRB Exam

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

2) Delaware Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Delaware, counselors and therapists must fulfill specific Continuing Education (CE) requirements to maintain their licensure and stay current with developments in their field. These requirements help ensure that professionals continue to improve their skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care.

The exact CE requirements vary based on the type of license, but there are common elements such as the number of hours needed and the inclusion of ethics training. Below is an in-depth look at the CE requirements for counselors and therapists in Delaware.

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH)

Total CE Hours: Licensed Professional Counselors of Mental Health (LPCMH) are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years as part of their license renewal process.
Ethics Requirement: Out of the 40 total CE hours, at least three hours must be in the area of ethics. This ensures that counselors are staying updated on ethical standards and practices in the field.
Approved CE Providers: CE courses must be taken from approved providers. These can include national organizations like the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), American Counseling Association (ACA), or other state and nationally recognized entities that offer CE credits. Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
Accepted CE Formats: Delaware accepts various formats of continuing education, including in-person seminars, webinars, online courses, and workshops, as long as they are provided by approved organizations. This allows counselors flexibility in meeting their CE requirements.

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH)

Since the Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health (LACMH) license is a temporary, supervised credential, there are no continuing education requirements for renewing this particular license. However, those who eventually transition to an LPCMH license will need to meet the CE requirements for that credential.

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Total CE Hours: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) in Delaware must also complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses.
Ethics Requirement: Like LPCMHs, LMFTs must complete at least three hours of CE in ethics. This is crucial for ensuring that therapists maintain professional integrity and adhere to the ethical standards in their practice.
Approved CE Providers: The CE courses for LMFTs must be from approved providers such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) or other recognized national and state organizations.
Accepted CE Formats: LMFTs can choose from a variety of formats to fulfill their CE requirements, including in-person training, webinars, and online courses, as long as they meet the criteria set by the state.

Additional Guidelines and Considerations

Carryover of CE Credits: Delaware does not allow carryover of CE credits from one licensure period to the next. All 40 hours must be completed within the current two-year renewal period.
Documentation: Licensees must keep detailed records of the CE activities they complete, including certificates of completion. While this documentation does not need to be submitted with the renewal application, it must be kept on file for at least five years in case of an audit by the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.
Inactive Status: If a counselor or therapist places their license on inactive status, they are not required to meet CE requirements during the inactive period. However, they will need to complete the CE hours required for the period before reactivating their license.

Exemptions and Extensions

In some cases, licensees may request an exemption or extension for completing CE requirements, typically due to serious illness or hardship. These requests must be submitted in writing to the Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals, and approval is granted on a case-by-case basis.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Delaware 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.