Maryland Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

Navigating the licensure renewal process is a crucial responsibility for counselors and therapists practicing in Maryland. Maintaining an active license ensures that professionals remain in compliance with state regulations, continue to provide the highest quality of care, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Each mental health profession has specific guidelines and requirements for maintaining licensure, which include adherence to continuing education (CE) credits and renewal deadlines. Understanding these details is essential for staying current in the field and avoiding any disruptions in practice.

For licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and therapists in Maryland, the state’s Department of Health, Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, oversees the licensure process. This governing body establishes renewal periods and CE requirements to ensure that all licensees continue to build their expertise and stay informed on the latest developments in mental health care. Meeting these standards not only safeguards the public but also fosters personal and professional growth for practitioners.

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In Maryland, the licensure and credentialing process for counselors and therapists is overseen by the Maryland Department of Health, Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists. The Board issues several types of licenses for professionals in the mental health field, including Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs) and Licensed Graduate Professional Counselors (LGPCs).

Below are the specific credentialing and licensure requirements, as well as renewal details and associated costs.

Licenses for Counselors and Therapists in Maryland

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC)
The LGPC is an initial license for those who have completed their graduate degree in counseling but have not yet completed the supervised clinical experience required for full licensure. It is often the first step for professionals entering the field.

Requirements:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a CACREP-accredited or equivalent program.
- Completion of coursework in areas such as ethics, diagnosis, psychotherapy, and human development.
- Successful passing of the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
LCPC is the highest level of licensure for professional counselors in Maryland, allowing independent practice.

Requirements:
- Completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field.
- 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience under the supervision of an LCPC.
- Passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- Proof of 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision.
Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT)
This license is for individuals who specialize in marriage and family therapy.

Requirements:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
- 2 years (2,000 hours) of post-graduate, supervised clinical experience.
- Passing the national examination for marriage and family therapy.
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC) For professionals specializing in substance abuse counseling.

Requirements:
- A master’s degree in a health or human services counseling field.
- 3 years of experience providing alcohol and drug counseling services.
- Passing the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) exam or a similar approved test.

Licensure Renewal Details

Licensed counselors and therapists in Maryland must renew their licenses every two years. Failure to meet the renewal requirements can result in a lapsed or expired license, preventing the professional from continuing to practice legally. Renewal requires the following:

Renewal Period
Licenses must be renewed every two years, with the expiration date typically falling on December 31st of the renewal year. It is recommended that the renewal process be started well in advance to avoid penalties or lapses in licensure.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements
To maintain licensure, professionals must complete continuing education credits. The requirements are as follows:
- LCPC/LCMFT/LCADC: 40 hours of CE credits every 2 years, including 3 hours in ethics.
- LGPC: Not required to complete CE until the license is upgraded to LCPC.
CE courses must be relevant to the field of counseling and be approved by organizations such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.
License Renewal Costs
- LCPC: $276 for online renewal.
- LGPC: $150 for renewal.
- LCMFT: $276 for online renewal.
- LCADC: $276 for online renewal.
Late renewal results in an additional fee of $100. If not renewed within one month after expiration, the license is considered lapsed, and reinstatement will require additional steps and fees.

Application and Other Fees

Application Fee for Initial License: $200 (non-refundable).
Examination Fee: Varies depending on the specific exam, typically ranging from $195 to $275.
Reinstatement Fee: $350 plus the regular renewal fee if the license has lapsed.
Inactive Status: $150 (allows professionals to maintain their license without active practice).

Sources

Maryland Department of Health, Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists: https://health.maryland.gov/bopc/Pages/home.aspx
National Board for Certified Counselors: https://www.nbcc.org
Maryland Code of Regulations for Professional Counselors: https://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/SubtitleSearch.aspx?search=10.58.01

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

2) Maryland Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

Licensed counselors and therapists in Maryland are required to complete Continuing Education (CE) credits as part of the licensure renewal process every two years. The goal of these requirements is to ensure that practitioners stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the mental health field, maintain ethical standards, and improve their clinical skills.

These CE requirements apply to various licensed professionals, including Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs), Licensed Graduate Professional Counselors (LGPCs), Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapists (LCMFTs), and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LCADCs).

General CE Requirements

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
LCPCs must complete 40 hours of CE credits every two years. These credits must be directly related to counseling and professional practice. Specific areas of focus may include mental health interventions, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic methods, or developments in clinical supervision.
Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC)
LGPCs are not required to complete CE credits until they upgrade their license to an LCPC. Once the LGPC becomes an LCPC, the 40-hour requirement will apply.
Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT)
Like LCPCs, LCMFTs must complete 40 hours of CE credits every two years. These credits should focus on topics pertinent to marriage and family therapy, including couples counseling, family dynamics, and relationship-based therapeutic approaches.
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
LCADCs also need to complete 40 hours of CE credits every two years. These credits should emphasize substance abuse counseling, addiction treatment, relapse prevention, and related clinical practices.

Specific CE Requirements

In addition to the general CE hours, certain specific topics are required to ensure that all counselors and therapists in Maryland maintain a strong foundation in ethics and culturally competent care:

Ethics Requirement
All licensed professionals (LCPC, LCMFT, LCADC) are required to complete 3 hours of CE credits in ethics every two years. This requirement ensures that practitioners are aware of current ethical standards and regulations in the profession. Topics may include client confidentiality, boundary management, legal compliance, and ethical decision-making.
Cultural Competence Requirement
Some licensees may also be encouraged to complete CE courses that focus on cultural competence or working with diverse populations. These courses are not explicitly mandated as part of the 40-hour requirement, but they are highly recommended, especially given the diverse populations counselors and therapists serve.

Types of Accepted CE Activities

Board-Approved Providers
CE courses must be offered by approved organizations or providers. The Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists accepts courses approved by organizations such as:
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
- National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
Eligible Activities
CE credits can be earned through various activities, including:
- Workshops, seminars, or conferences: These can be attended in person or virtually, as long as they are relevant to the licensee’s professional practice.
- Online courses: Many online courses, especially those accredited by national professional organizations, qualify for CE credit.
- Teaching or presenting: Professionals can earn CE credits for preparing and delivering presentations or workshops related to their field of practice.
- Published research or writing: Writing articles for peer-reviewed journals or conducting professional research can also count towards CE credits.
- Supervision: Providing clinical supervision to graduate students or professionals pursuing licensure can fulfill part of the CE requirements.

Documentation and Record-Keeping

It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain documentation of their completed CE credits. At the time of renewal, the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists may audit a percentage of licensees to verify compliance with CE requirements. Documentation may include:

Certificates of completion from approved courses
Transcripts from academic institutions
Letters of confirmation from workshop or conference organizers

Licensees should retain records of CE activities for at least four years, as audits can occur randomly during the renewal period.

CE Exemptions and Extensions

First Renewal Period Exemption
Counselors and therapists who are renewing their license for the first time after initial licensure may be exempt from completing CE credits. However, this exemption applies only to those who have held their license for less than a full two-year cycle.
Extensions and Waivers
In exceptional circumstances, such as personal illness or family emergencies, licensees may request an extension or waiver of CE requirements. Requests must be submitted to the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists in advance of the renewal deadline.

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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.