1) Key Florida Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates
In Florida, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. The primary licenses for mental health professionals include the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Each of these licenses has specific educational, clinical, and examination requirements, as well as continuing education (CE) and renewal stipulations.
Credentialing Requirements:
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Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
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Educational Requirements: Candidates must have a master’s degree or higher in mental health counseling or a closely related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or a comparable accrediting body.
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Supervised Clinical Experience: Candidates must complete at least two years of post-master’s supervised experience in mental health counseling, totaling 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients under the supervision of a qualified supervisor.
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Examination: Candidates must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
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Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
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Educational Requirements : A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, or a related field, is required from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or another regionally accredited institution.
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Supervised Clinical Experience: Candidates must complete at least two years of post-master’s supervised experience, including 1,500 hours of face-to-face therapy with clients. These hours must be supervised by a qualified LMFT supervisor.
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Examination: Candidates must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.
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Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education Requirements:
Both LMHCs and LMFTs in Florida are required to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal cycle typically occurs by March 31st of odd-numbered years (e.g., 2023, 2025). Counselors and therapists must complete continuing education (CE) hours to qualify for renewal.
- Continuing Education Requirements:
- 30 hours of continuing education every two years, which includes:
- 2 hours in medical errors.
- 3 hours in ethics and boundary issues.
- 2 hours in domestic violence (required every third biennium).
- 3 hours on the laws and rules governing the practice of counseling and therapy in Florida.
- Remaining hours can be chosen based on professional needs or interests, often in areas like psychotherapy or mental health assessments.
- 30 hours of continuing education every two years, which includes:
Costs and Fees:
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Initial Licensure Application Fees:
- LMHC: $100 for the application fee, plus $105 for the initial licensure fee, and a $5 unlicensed activity fee, totaling $210.
- LMFT: The costs are similar to the LMHC with a $100 application fee, a $105 licensure fee, and a $5 unlicensed activity fee, for a total of $210.
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Licensure Renewal Fees:
- LMHC: $105 renewal fee, $100 for the biennial renewal, and a $5 unlicensed activity fee, totaling $210.
- LMFT: $105 renewal fee, $100 for biennial renewal, and a $5 unlicensed activity fee, totaling $210.
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Examination Fees:
- LMHC: The NCMHCE exam fee is $275.
- LMFT: The AMFTRB exam fee is $365.
Failure to renew the license by the deadline incurs additional late fees, and the license may be placed in an inactive or delinquent status until the requirements are met.
Sources:
- Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling: https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NCMHCE): https://www.nbcc.org/exams/ncmhce
- 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 Florida’s requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.
2) Florida Counselor and Therpist Continuing Education Requirements
Continuing education (CE) is a vital requirement for licensed counselors and therapists in Florida, ensuring that mental health professionals maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in their practice areas. Florida’s Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling mandates that Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) complete a specific number of CE hours during each biennial renewal period to retain their licenses.
Continuing Education Requirements for LMHCs and LMFTs:
Florida requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years for both LMHCs and LMFTs. These 30 hours must include specific mandatory courses, while the remaining hours can be focused on elective topics relevant to the professional’s area of practice.
Here’s a breakdown of the required CE hours:
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General Hours (Electives):
- 22 hours of the total 30 CE hours can be in general mental health counseling or therapy topics. These courses may cover areas like assessment techniques, diagnosis, treatment strategies, cultural competence, or advancements in therapeutic modalities.
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Required CE Courses:
- Medical Errors: 2 hours are required in the prevention of medical errors. This course must focus on safety protocols, risk management, and common mistakes in the delivery of mental health services that can result in harm to clients.
- Ethics and Boundaries: 3 hours must be dedicated to professional ethics and boundary issues. This is crucial for ensuring that counselors and therapists maintain high ethical standards in their practice, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining proper therapeutic boundaries.
- Laws and Rules: 3 hours are required on Florida’s laws and rules governing the practice of counseling and therapy. This course ensures that professionals stay informed about any legislative changes and understand the regulations that affect their licensure and practice in the state.
- Domestic Violence: 2 hours are required on domestic violence, but this must only be completed every third renewal period (every six years). The course typically covers the dynamics of domestic violence, risk assessment, and intervention techniques for clients experiencing domestic violence.
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HIV/AIDS Course: A one-time, 3-hour course on HIV/AIDS must be completed before the first license renewal. This course covers the basics of HIV transmission, prevention, treatment, and counseling techniques to address the needs of clients living with HIV/AIDS.
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Telehealth (Optional but Recommended): With the increasing use of telehealth in mental health services, some professionals choose to complete CE courses in telehealth best practices, ethics, and technology to stay competent in virtual therapy services. However, this is not yet a mandatory CE requirement in Florida but is encouraged as telehealth becomes more integrated into therapeutic practices.
Additional CE Notes:
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CE Provider Approval: CE hours must be obtained through approved providers recognized by the Florida Board or from organizations accredited by entities such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). It’s essential to ensure that all courses meet the board’s criteria for approval before enrolling. Agents of Change Continuing Education is approved by NBCC.
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Online Courses: Many of the required CE hours can be completed through online courses, which are increasingly popular among professionals looking for flexibility in fulfilling their renewal obligations.
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Carryover of Excess CE Credits: Florida does not allow excess CE credits to be carried over into the next renewal cycle. All required hours must be completed within the current two-year renewal period.
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Audit and Reporting: Florida does not require professionals to submit CE completion certificates unless the Board specifically requests it during a random audit. However, it is recommended to keep all certificates of completion for at least four years in case of an audit. Many CE providers will also report your completed hours directly to the state, but it is the professional’s responsibility to ensure all hours are properly recorded.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
Failure to complete the required CE hours before the license renewal deadline can result in a delinquent status, late fees, and possible disciplinary action. A license that remains delinquent beyond the allowed grace period may eventually be considered null and void, forcing the professional to reapply and meet all initial licensure requirements again.
Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Florda’s Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEUs, 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 – Florida Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEUs
Q: What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for renewing my LMHC or LMFT license in Florida?
A: Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Florida must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew their licenses. The CE requirements include:
- 2 hours in preventing medical errors.
- 3 hours in ethics and boundary issues.
- 2 hours on domestic violence (required every third biennium).
- 3 hours on Florida laws and rules related to mental health practice.
- The remaining 20 hours can be chosen from various topics relevant to mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy practice.
It is important to note that all CE courses must be approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Licensees must ensure they meet the specific requirements and keep accurate documentation of completed hours for potential audits.
Q: When are the renewal deadlines for LMHCs and LMFTs in Florida, and what happens if I miss the deadline?
A: The renewal deadline for LMHCs and LMFTs in Florida is March 31st of odd-numbered years (e.g., 2023, 2025). Licensees must complete all required continuing education and submit their renewal application by this deadline to maintain active licensure.
If you miss the renewal deadline, your license will be placed in delinquent status. You will then have to complete the renewal requirements and pay a late fee to reinstate your license. If the license remains delinquent for an extended period, it may become inactive or even lapse, which would require further steps to restore it, such as paying additional fees or completing remedial education. Practicing without an active license is against Florida law and can result in fines and other penalties.
Q: Can I complete my required continuing education (CE) hours online, or do I need to attend in-person courses?
A: Yes, Florida allows LMHCs and LMFTs to complete their CE hours through online courses, as long as these courses are approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling like Agents of Change Continuing Education. Many licensed professionals find that online courses provide flexibility and convenience, making it easier to meet CE requirements while managing their busy practices.