Louisiana Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

Navigating the licensure renewal process as a counselor or therapist in Louisiana is crucial to maintaining your professional standing and providing high-quality care to clients.

Whether you’re a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), staying informed about renewal deadlines and continuing education (CE) requirements is essential. Understanding these details not only helps you comply with state regulations but also ensures that you stay up-to-date with the latest practices in mental health.

In Louisiana, licensure for counselors and therapists must be renewed periodically, and each license type has specific renewal timelines. Keeping track of these dates is key to avoiding penalties, lapses in licensure, or disruptions to your practice.

Additionally, the state mandates a set number of continuing education hours, aimed at ensuring that licensed professionals continue their education and improve their expertise over time. It’s important to understand both the quantity and type of CE credits required to fulfill these obligations.

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In Louisiana, counselors and therapists are regulated by the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners (LPC Board).

The two primary credentials for mental health professionals are the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). These licenses allow professionals to practice independently, diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.

Credentials and Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Education: Must hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or a similar accrediting body.
- Supervised Experience: Must complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience in professional counseling under an approved supervisor, with at least 1,900 direct client contact hours. This can be reduced if a doctoral degree is earned.
- Examination: Must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Louisiana Jurisprudence Exam.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Education: Must have a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field, accredited by a recognized institution.
- Supervised Experience: Must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, including at least 2,000 hours of direct client contact, under the supervision of a board-approved LMFT supervisor.
- Examination: Must pass the national Marriage and Family Therapy Examination and the Louisiana Jurisprudence Exam.

Licensure Renewal Details

Licenses for both LPCs and LMFTs must be renewed annually. The renewal period begins on July 1st of each year, and licenses expire on June 30th of the following year. Professionals are required to complete continuing education (CE) to renew their licenses:

LPCs must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, including 6 hours focused on ethics.
LMFTs must also complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, with a similar emphasis on ethics and training specific to marriage and family therapy.

Renewals can be submitted online through the Louisiana LPC Board website.

Costs and Fees

The fees for licensure and renewal in Louisiana are as follows:

Application Fees:
- LPC application: $200
- LMFT application: $200
- Provisional LPC/LMFT application (for those still accruing supervised experience): $100
Licensure Examination Fees:
- National Counselor Exam (NCE): Approximately $275
- National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam: $365
Annual License Renewal Fees:
- LPC Renewal Fee: $150 annually
- LMFT Renewal Fee: $150 annually
Other Fees:
- Late Renewal Penalty: $75
- Inactive License Status: $75 fee for both LPCs and LMFTs

These costs and requirements ensure that licensed professionals in Louisiana maintain their skills and knowledge while remaining compliant with state regulations. It’s important for counselors and therapists to track renewal deadlines and complete CE requirements on time to avoid additional fees or penalties.

Sources:

Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners: https://www.lpcboard.org
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Louisiana Chapter: https://www.laaamft.org

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

2) Louisiana Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Louisiana are required to complete continuing education (CE) to maintain their licensure.

These CE requirements ensure that mental health professionals stay updated on the latest developments in their field, enhancing their clinical skills and ethical knowledge. Below are the specific CE requirements for both LPCs and LMFTs in Louisiana.

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)

LPCs must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license. Of these hours:

6 hours must be focused on ethics. These ethics hours ensure that LPCs maintain an understanding of professional standards and legal responsibilities in counseling practice.
The remaining hours can be in areas relevant to the practice of counseling, such as clinical techniques, mental health assessment, client communication, and specific therapeutic approaches.

CE courses and activities must be approved by the Louisiana LPC Board. Acceptable CE programs typically include workshops, conferences, seminars, and online courses that are relevant to counseling and mental health. Providers of these CE programs are often accredited by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or a similarly recognized body. Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)

LMFTs in Louisiana are also required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years. These requirements are similar to those of LPCs, but with a focus on the specific needs of marriage and family therapy. The requirements include:

6 hours in ethics, ensuring that LMFTs remain informed about ethical standards within their field.
At least 20 of the 40 hours must be related to marriage and family therapy. This can include topics like family dynamics, couples therapy techniques, or systemic therapy models.

LMFTs must also ensure that their CE courses are from approved providers, such as those accredited by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the NBCC, or other approved organizations.

Acceptable Continuing Education Activities

Both LPCs and LMFTs can meet their CE requirements through a variety of learning activities, including:

Workshops, conferences, and seminars: Offered by universities, professional organizations, or approved CE providers.
Online courses and webinars: Many approved providers offer online CE courses, making it easier for professionals to meet their requirements remotely.
Professional presentations: Licensed professionals may earn CE credit by giving presentations or teaching approved courses.
Publications and research: Writing articles, books, or conducting research can sometimes be counted toward CE credit if the work contributes to the field of counseling or therapy.

Documentation and Reporting

LPCs and LMFTs are responsible for tracking and reporting their CE hours when they renew their licenses. They must retain records of their completed CE activities, including certificates of completion, for at least four years.

While licensees may be randomly audited by the Louisiana LPC Board to ensure compliance, documentation is typically submitted during the license renewal process.

Failure to complete the required CE hours can result in penalties, including late fees or temporary loss of licensure, so it’s important for professionals to stay organized and complete their education before the renewal deadlines.

Additional Notes on Continuing Education

Courses focused solely on business practices or personal growth do not count toward the CE requirements for either LPCs or LMFTs.
CE credits may not be carried over from one renewal period to the next; all hours must be completed within the two-year licensing period.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Louisiana’s 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.