Kentucky Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

Navigating the licensure renewal process as a counselor or therapist in Kentucky can be a complex but essential part of maintaining a professional practice. Understanding key renewal dates and the specific continuing education (CE) requirements is crucial to ensure that your license remains in good standing.

Kentucky mandates that all licensed counselors and therapists adhere to a structured renewal schedule, designed to uphold high standards of care and professional development across the field. This blog post will provide an overview of the licensure renewal dates and the necessary steps to meet the state’s CE requirements.

Kentucky requires licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs), and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) to renew their licenses on a regular basis. Renewal dates and cycles vary depending on the license type and the governing board.

Failing to renew on time or fulfill the necessary CE credits can result in penalties, suspension, or even revocation of licensure. Therefore, staying informed about your specific deadlines and requirements is key to continuing your practice without interruption.

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In Kentucky, counselors and therapists are required to obtain specific credentials and meet licensure requirements to practice legally.

These requirements vary based on the type of counseling or therapy license sought. Below is an overview of the primary credentialing and licensure requirements, along with licensure renewal details, costs, and fees associated with specific licenses.

Credentialing and Licensure Requirements for Counselors and Therapists in Kentucky

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA)
- Education Requirements: A master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited program with at least 60 semester hours.
- Supervision: Must practice under supervision to gain experience before full licensure. Requires a minimum of 4,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience, with at least 1,600 hours in direct client contact.
- Examination: Successful completion of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Education Requirements: A master’s degree in counseling with at least 60 semester hours from an accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: A minimum of 4,000 hours of clinical experience post-graduation, with a minimum of 1,600 hours of direct counseling.
- Examination: Must pass the NCE or NCMHCE.
- Endorsement: LPCC licensure can also be obtained via endorsement if the individual holds a valid equivalent license in another state.
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (MFTA)
- Education Requirements: A master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, with at least 60 semester hours of graduate study.
- Supervision: Supervised experience is required to practice, including a minimum of 200 hours of direct client contact under supervision.
- Examination: Must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) national examination.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Education Requirements: Completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field with 60 semester hours.
- Supervised Experience: Requires 1,000 hours of post-graduate clinical experience with at least 500 direct client contact hours under supervision.
- Examination: Passing the AMFTRB exam is required.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

Renewal Requirements

LPCA and LPCC Renewal: Licensed counselors in Kentucky must renew their licenses every two years.
MFTA and LMFT Renewal: Marriage and family therapists must also renew their licenses biennially.
Continuing Education (CE): Counselors and therapists are required to complete at least 10-15 hours of continuing education each year. This often includes mandatory training on topics such as ethics and Kentucky law.

Fees for Licensure Renewal

LPCA: $150 for biennial renewal
LPCC: $250 for biennial renewal
MFTA: $150 for biennial renewal
LMFT: $250 for biennial renewal

Initial Application and Licensure Fees

LPCA Application Fee: $150
LPCC Application Fee: $200
MFTA Application Fee: $50
LMFT Application Fee: $200
Examination Fees:
- NCE/NCMHCE: $275-$375 (varies depending on the exam provider)
- AMFTRB Exam: $365

Additional Costs

Supervision Fees: While under supervision, LPCAs and MFTAs may incur supervision fees, which vary based on the supervisor and setting.
Late Renewal Penalties: Renewing a license after the deadline may incur a late fee ranging from $25 to $50.

Sources:

Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors: https://lpc.ky.gov
Kentucky Board of Marriage and Family Therapy: https://mft.ky.gov
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – https://www.nbcc.org
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB): https://amftrb.org

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

2) Kentucky Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Kentucky, licensed counselors and therapists must meet specific continuing education (CE) requirements in order to renew their licenses. These requirements ensure that professionals remain updated on the latest practices, ethical standards, and legal guidelines in the field of counseling and therapy.

Below is an overview of the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs)

CE Hours Required: LPCs and LPCCs must complete 10 hours of continuing education annually, for a total of 20 hours during each biennial renewal cycle.
Mandatory Training:
- Ethics: Counselors are required to complete at least 3 hours of training in ethics during each renewal period.
- Kentucky Law: Additionally, they must complete 3 hours of Kentucky law training. This training covers the laws and regulations specific to the practice of counseling in the state.
Approved CE Providers:
- Continuing education credits must be earned from approved providers, which include:
  - National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
    - Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved
  - American Counseling Association (ACA)
  - Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors-approved providers
  - Accredited academic institutions offering counseling programs
CE Carryover: Kentucky allows counselors to carry over up to 10 hours of CE credits from one renewal cycle to the next, provided they are not used to meet current renewal requirements.

Continuing Education Requirements for Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)

CE Hours Required: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Kentucky are required to complete 15 hours of continuing education annually, totaling 30 hours during each biennial renewal cycle.
Mandatory Training:
- Ethics: LMFTs must complete 3 hours in ethics as part of their CE requirements.
- Kentucky Law: They are also required to complete 6 hours of Kentucky law related to marriage and family therapy during each renewal period.
Approved CE Providers:
- CE courses must be provided by approved entities, which may include:
  - Kentucky Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (KAMFT)
  - American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  - Providers approved by the Kentucky Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
  - Accredited academic programs offering marriage and family therapy coursework
CE Carryover: LMFTs are permitted to carry over up to 15 hours of CE credits to the next renewal cycle, similar to the provisions for counselors.

Specialized CE Requirements for Both LPCs and LMFTs

Telehealth Training: With the growing use of telehealth in mental health practice, Kentucky mandates that counselors and therapists complete at least 2 hours of training in telehealth practices. This ensures that professionals are equipped to provide ethical and effective services remotely.
Cultural Competency: While not always required, many CE providers offer courses on cultural competency and diversity, which are encouraged by the Kentucky licensing boards to ensure that counselors and therapists remain sensitive and informed about the diverse populations they serve.

Documentation and Compliance

Counselors and therapists are responsible for keeping records of their CE hours and certificates of completion for at least 3 years after the renewal period. The Kentucky Boards of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists may conduct random audits to verify compliance, so professionals should be prepared to provide proof of completed CE courses if requested.

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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.