Idaho Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

In Idaho, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally in the state. The Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists governs the process for both Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC), among others.

Below is an overview of the key licensure requirements, including educational criteria, supervised experience, and examination requirements, as well as details about renewal procedures and associated fees.

Credentialing and Licensure Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Education: A master’s degree or higher in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution is required.
- Examination: Must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or an equivalent exam approved by the board.
- Supervised Experience: After receiving the degree, candidates must complete 1,000 hours of supervised professional experience.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited program.
- Examination: Must pass both the NCE and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- Supervised Experience: Completion of 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience in clinical counseling under an approved supervisor. A minimum of 1,000 of these hours must involve direct client contact.
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
- Examination: Must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) examination.
- Supervised Experience: Completion of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

Counselors and therapists in Idaho must renew their licenses every two years, by the end of their birth month in even-numbered years. During each renewal cycle, professionals are required to complete a specified amount of continuing education (CE) to maintain their licenses.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- CE Requirements: 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours of ethics.
- Renewal Fee: $100 for each renewal period.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC):
- CE Requirements: 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours of ethics.
- Renewal Fee: $120 for each renewal period.
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT):
- CE Requirements: 20 hours of continuing education every two years, including 2 hours of ethics.
- Renewal Fee: $120 for each renewal period.

Fees for Specific Licenses

Initial Application Fee for LPC: $75
Initial Application Fee for LCPC: $100
Application Fee for MFT: $100
Supervisory Endorsement Application: $25 (for LPCs or LCPCs who want to become supervisors)
Reinstatement Fee: $35 in addition to the renewal fee, if a license has lapsed

Counselors and therapists can apply for licensure online through the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses (IBOL) website, where renewal applications and fees are also processed.

Sources:

Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses: https://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=COU
Idaho Statutes – Licensure of Counselors and Therapists: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title54/t54ch34/
Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists Rules: https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/24/242503.pdf

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

2) Idaho Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Idaho, licensed counselors and therapists must meet specific continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain their licenses. These CE requirements are designed to ensure that professionals stay current with industry standards, ethical practices, and advances in therapeutic techniques.

Below is a detailed overview of the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC), and Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) in Idaho.

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

1. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC)

CE Hours Required: Both LPCs and LCPCs must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years. The CE cycle coincides with the license renewal period, which occurs biennially on the last day of the counselor’s birth month in even-numbered years.
Ethics Requirement: Of the 20 required hours, at least 2 hours must focus on ethics. Ethical topics may include confidentiality, professional boundaries, informed consent, and other areas related to the ethical practice of counseling.
Content Areas: The CE hours can cover a variety of topics relevant to the counseling profession, including clinical skills, treatment approaches, counseling theories, assessment techniques, and mental health disorders.
Approved CE Providers: CE activities must be approved by reputable organizations. Commonly accepted providers include the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and other state or national professional organizations.
- Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.

2. Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)

CE Hours Required: Like LPCs and LCPCs, MFTs are also required to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years. The renewal cycle aligns with the MFT’s birth month, requiring completion of CE hours by the end of that month during even-numbered years.
Ethics Requirement: At least 2 of the 20 required hours must be related to ethical issues specifically in marriage and family therapy practice.
Content Areas: CE content for MFTs can include topics such as family systems theory, couples therapy, child and adolescent therapy, and relational counseling methods.
Approved CE Providers: CE activities for MFTs must be conducted by approved organizations, such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) or other recognized professional bodies.

Acceptable Continuing Education Formats

Idaho allows a variety of formats for completing continuing education requirements. These formats include:

Workshops and Conferences: In-person workshops, conferences, and seminars are common and effective ways to gain CE credits. These events often offer multiple credit hours in specialized areas of practice.
Online and Distance Learning: Many licensed professionals choose to fulfill their CE requirements through online courses, which provide flexibility and convenience. However, these online courses must still be accredited by recognized professional organizations.
Professional Presentations: Counselors and therapists can earn CE credits by delivering professional presentations, lectures, or training workshops on relevant counseling or therapy topics.
Publications: Writing articles or conducting research for peer-reviewed journals can also count toward CE hours.
Graduate Coursework: Taking relevant graduate-level courses at an accredited institution can be counted toward CE requirements, provided the courses relate to counseling, therapy, or mental health.

Documentation and Record-Keeping

Counselors and therapists are responsible for maintaining records of their completed CE activities. Idaho’s licensing board may conduct random audits, and professionals should be prepared to provide documentation such as certificates of completion, transcripts, or other verifiable records of participation. Records must include:

The name of the CE provider
Title of the course or activity
Number of hours completed
Date(s) of the event or activity

Professionals are encouraged to keep these records for at least four years after the renewal period in case of an audit or review by the licensing board.

Exemptions and Extensions

In rare cases, Idaho may grant exemptions or extensions for completing CE requirements due to extenuating circumstances such as illness, disability, or military service. These exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and require submission of a formal request to the Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. Approval is not guaranteed, so practitioners should plan to meet their CE requirements within the standard timeframe whenever possible.

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