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District of Columbia Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

District of Columbia Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating the licensure renewal process for counselors and therapists in Washington, DC, is essential for maintaining a valid and active license to practice. Whether you’re a professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or a clinical psychologist, understanding the renewal timeline and continuing education (CE) requirements is critical to ensure your credentials remain in good standing.

The District of Columbia mandates specific renewal dates and guidelines that vary depending on your profession, and it’s important to stay informed to avoid any disruption in your practice.

One of the key components of licensure renewal is completing the required number of continuing education (CE) hours. CE courses allow licensed professionals to stay updated on new therapeutic techniques, ethical guidelines, and advancements in mental health.

In Washington, DC, these requirements are not only a way to maintain competence but also to ensure that therapists and counselors provide the highest standard of care to their clients. Depending on your licensure type, the number and focus areas of CE hours may differ, and understanding these nuances is essential for a smooth renewal process.

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 District of Columbia (DC) Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In the District of Columbia, the licensure and credentialing requirements for counselors and therapists are regulated by the Department of Health (DOH), under the Board of Professional Counseling. There are several licensure options for those pursuing a career as a counselor or therapist, each with its own requirements for education, supervised experience, exams, and fees.

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Washington, DC, working with the community in an outdoor setting with iconic Washington landmarks in the background.

Below is an overview of the requirements, renewal details, and associated costs for the main counseling and therapy licenses in DC.

Licensure Types for Counselors and Therapists in DC

  1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    • Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from a CACREP-accredited or equivalent program.
    • Experience: Completion of 3,500 hours of supervised practice, including at least 1,800 hours of direct client counseling.
    • Examination: Passage of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
    • Renewal Requirements: Must be renewed every two years with the completion of 40 continuing education (CE) hours, including 6 hours of ethics.
    • Fees:
      • Initial application fee: $230
      • Renewal fee: $145
      • Late renewal fee: $85
      • License reinstatement fee: $230

  2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

    • Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
    • Experience: Completion of 3,500 hours of supervised clinical experience, including 1,800 hours of direct client work.
    • Examination: Passage of the national exam administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
    • Renewal Requirements: LMFT licenses must be renewed every two years, requiring 30 CE hours, with 6 hours in ethics and 4 hours in trauma-informed care.
    • Fees:
      • Initial application fee: $230
      • Renewal fee: $145
      • Late renewal fee: $85
      • License reinstatement fee: $230

  3. Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

    • Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, addiction studies, or a related behavioral health field.
    • Experience: 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in addiction counseling.
    • Examination: Passage of the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) exam.
    • Renewal Requirements: LAC licenses require renewal every two years, with the completion of 40 CE hours, including 6 hours in ethics.
    • Fees:
      • Initial application fee: $230
      • Renewal fee: $145
      • Late renewal fee: $85
      • License reinstatement fee: $230

General Renewal Requirements

  • All licenses for LPCs, LMFTs, and LACs must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires completion of the specified continuing education (CE) hours, including mandatory ethics training.
  • If a license is not renewed by the deadline, the late renewal fee applies. If the license lapses for an extended period, reinstatement is necessary, which incurs additional fees and may require submission of updated documentation or proof of CE completion.

Additional Fees

  • Verification of Licensure: $50
  • Duplicate License: $34
  • Name Change Request: $26

Sources

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

2) District of Columbia (DC) Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Washington, DC, licensed counselors and therapists, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Addiction Counselors (LACs), are required to complete continuing education (CE) as part of their licensure renewal process.

A therapist working with a client in a cozy office environment, with a view of Washington, DC through the window

Continuing education ensures that professionals stay updated on best practices, ethical standards, and advancements in their field. Below is a detailed breakdown of the continuing education requirements specific to counselors and therapists in Washington, DC.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Continuing Education Requirements

  • Total CE Hours: LPCs in Washington, DC, are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
  • Ethics Requirement: Of the 40 hours, at least 6 hours must be in ethics. These ethics hours are mandatory and must focus on issues like confidentiality, professional boundaries, and other ethical standards in counseling practice.
  • Live Training Requirement: DC regulations require that at least 50% of the CE hours (20 hours) must be obtained through live, in-person training or real-time, interactive virtual sessions. This ensures that counselors are engaging directly with the material and have opportunities for discussion and questions.
  • Remaining Hours: The remaining 50% (up to 20 hours) can be completed through approved online or self-study courses.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Continuing Education Requirements

  • Total CE Hours: LMFTs must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years.
  • Ethics Requirement: Of these 30 hours, 6 hours must focus on ethics specific to the practice of marriage and family therapy.
  • Trauma-Informed Care Requirement: LMFTs are also required to complete 4 hours of continuing education in trauma-informed care. This training ensures that therapists are well-equipped to work with clients who have experienced trauma, using practices that minimize retraumatization.
  • Live Training Requirement: Like LPCs, LMFTs must complete 50% of their CE hours (15 hours) through live, in-person, or real-time interactive virtual sessions.
  • Remaining Hours: Up to 15 hours can be completed via online courses or independent study.

Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) Continuing Education Requirements

  • Total CE Hours: LACs must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
  • Ethics Requirement: A minimum of 6 hours must focus on ethics related to addiction counseling practices.
  • Addiction-Specific CE: The remaining CE hours should cover topics relevant to addiction counseling, including treatment modalities, pharmacology, and the psychological aspects of substance use disorders.
  • Live Training Requirement: LACs must complete at least 20 hours of live, in-person, or real-time virtual training.
  • Remaining Hours: The other 20 hours may be completed through online or independent study options.

General Guidelines for CE

  • CE Course Approval: Continuing education hours must be completed through approved providers. These include state and national professional organizations, accredited universities, and programs that meet the standards set by the DC Board of Professional Counseling.
  • Carry-Over Hours: In some cases, licensees may be allowed to carry over excess CE hours from one renewal period to the next, but this is subject to board approval and specific limitations.
  • CE Audit: The DC Board of Professional Counseling conducts random audits of CE compliance. Licensees are required to keep records of their completed CE hours for at least four years in case of an audit. This includes certificates of completion and course descriptions.

Exemptions and Extensions

  • In rare cases, licensees may apply for an extension or exemption from CE requirements due to illness, hardship, or other extenuating circumstances. These are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Professional Counseling.
  • Newly licensed professionals may be exempt from CE requirements during their first renewal cycle, depending on when their license was issued relative to the renewal period.

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

Q: What are the specific continuing education (CE) requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Washington, DC?

A: Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Washington, DC, are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain licensure. Of these hours, 6 must focus on ethics, covering areas like confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Additionally, at least 50% (20 hours) of the CE requirements must be fulfilled through live, in-person, or interactive virtual sessions, ensuring engagement with the material in a dynamic learning environment. The remaining 20 hours can be completed through online courses or self-study. It is important to choose CE courses from approved providers, as designated by the DC Board of Professional Counseling.

Q: How often must Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) renew their licenses and complete continuing education (CE)?

A: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Washington, DC, are required to renew their licenses every two years. To be eligible for renewal, they must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal cycle. This includes 6 hours in ethics and 4 hours in trauma-informed care.

At least 15 of these hours must be obtained through live, in-person, or interactive virtual sessions. The remaining 15 hours can be earned through online or independent study options. These requirements ensure LMFTs stay current with best practices in their field while upholding ethical standards.

Q: What are the costs associated with license renewal for counselors and therapists in Washington, DC?

A: In Washington, DC, the cost for license renewal varies by profession. For Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Addiction Counselors (LACs), the renewal fee is $145 every two years.

If a license is renewed late, an additional late fee of $85 applies. If a license lapses or is inactive, professionals may need to pay a reinstatement fee of $230. These fees cover the administrative costs of maintaining licensure records and ensuring compliance with continuing education requirements.

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

4) Conclusion

Maintaining licensure as a counselor or therapist in Washington, DC, requires careful attention to both the renewal deadlines and continuing education (CE) requirements. Ensuring that you complete the necessary CE hours, including ethics and specialized training such as trauma-informed care, helps safeguard your professional competence and ensures that you continue to provide high-quality care to your clients. By adhering to these requirements, licensed professionals can avoid the risks of lapsing credentials and stay in good standing with the DC Board of Professional Counseling.

The specific continuing education expectations for each type of licensure—whether LPC, LMFT, or LAC—are designed to help professionals stay informed about the latest developments in their fields while reinforcing ethical practices. Staying up to date on these requirements, as well as the associated renewal fees and deadlines, will allow you to focus more on your practice and less on administrative tasks. Planning ahead for CE courses and managing renewal timelines efficiently ensures a smooth process with minimal disruptions.

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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