Mississippi Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

Navigating licensure renewal as a counselor or therapist in Mississippi can be a complex but essential part of maintaining your professional credentials. With clear guidelines and deadlines in place, it’s important to stay on top of these requirements to ensure your license remains valid.

Mississippi’s Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and other governing bodies set specific timelines for renewing your license, and failure to comply can lead to interruptions in your ability to practice. Understanding these renewal dates is crucial for safeguarding your career.

In addition to keeping track of renewal dates, counselors and therapists in Mississippi are also required to complete Continuing Education (CE) credits. CE credits are a way to maintain your licensure and an opportunity for professional growth, ensuring you stay current with evolving practices, techniques, and ethical standards in the field. The state mandates a certain number of CE hours within each renewal cycle, and specific content areas may be emphasized, including ethics and cultural competency.

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1) Key Mississippi Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

To practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Mississippi, individuals must meet specific educational, examination, and supervised experience requirements. These requirements ensure that professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective mental health services.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the credentialing and licensure requirements for counselors and therapists in Mississippi.

1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Requirements:

Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or equivalent.
Supervised Experience:
- For those with a master’s degree, 3,500 hours of supervised post-master’s counseling experience is required.
- This must include at least 1,167 hours of direct client contact.
Examination: Successful completion of the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Background Check: Applicants must undergo a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.

2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Requirements:

Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or a related field, from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or equivalent.
Supervised Experience:
- Completion of at least 1,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience.
- This experience must include a minimum of 500 hours of direct client contact, specifically with couples and families.
Examination: Applicants must pass the national MFT exam administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
Background Check: Like LPC applicants, LMFT candidates must also pass a criminal background check.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):

Renewal Cycle: Licenses must be renewed every two years.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: LPCs must complete 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) during each renewal period. Of these hours, at least 6 must be in the area of professional ethics or legal concerns.
Renewal Fee: The renewal fee for LPCs in Mississippi is $220 for the two-year cycle.
Late Fee: If renewal is late, an additional fee of $100 applies.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):

Renewal Cycle: LMFT licenses must also be renewed every two years.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: LMFTs must complete 24 hours of CE within each renewal cycle, with at least 6 hours focused on ethics.
Renewal Fee: The LMFT license renewal fee is $300 for the two-year period.
Late Fee: Late renewal incurs an additional $100 fee.

Application and Initial Licensure Fees

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- Application Fee: $100 non-refundable application fee.
- Initial Licensure Fee: $200 upon successful licensure.
- Examination Fee: Costs for the NCE and NCMHCE vary, but typically range between $275 and $375 depending on the examination provider.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
- Application Fee: $100 for the initial application process.
- Initial Licensure Fee: $300 upon licensure.
- Examination Fee: The AMFTRB MFT exam costs approximately $365.

Both licenses require professionals to maintain good standing by adhering to ethical guidelines and meeting ongoing CE requirements throughout their careers. Additionally, failure to renew licenses on time or to fulfill CE requirements can result in penalties or suspension of licensure.

Sources:

Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors – https://www.lpc.ms.gov
Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists – https://www.swmft.ms.gov
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – https://www.nbcc.org
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 Mississippi requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) Mississippi Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Mississippi, counselors and therapists are required to complete Continuing Education (CE) to maintain their professional licenses. CE ensures that licensed professionals stay current with new developments in their field, enhance their skills, and adhere to ethical standards.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the CE requirements for both Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Mississippi.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) CE Requirements:

Total CE Hours Required:
LPCs in Mississippi are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
Ethics Requirement:
Out of the total 24 hours, at least 6 hours must be focused on ethics. This is to ensure that counselors maintain a high standard of ethical practice in their professional work. Ethical courses typically cover topics such as client confidentiality, informed consent, and legal issues in counseling.
Content Areas:
CE courses should be relevant to counseling and mental health, focusing on topics that enhance the counselor’s knowledge, skills, and competency. Acceptable content areas may include, but are not limited to:
- Counseling theory and practice
- Diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders
- Multicultural counseling
- Crisis intervention
- Group therapy techniques
- Supervision (for those in supervisory roles)
Approved Providers:
CE courses must be offered by approved providers. Common approved providers include:
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  - Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
- Accredited universities or colleges
- Recognized national, regional, or state professional organizations
- Continuing education providers recognized by state boards or agencies responsible for counseling licensure
Documentation and Audit:
LPCs must retain proof of their completed CE hours, including certificates of completion, for at least 5 years. The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors may conduct random audits to verify compliance with CE requirements.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) CE Requirements:

Total CE Hours Required:
LMFTs in Mississippi must also complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal cycle.
Ethics Requirement:
Similar to LPCs, LMFTs are required to complete at least 6 hours of ethics-focused continuing education within the 24-hour total. Ethics courses help therapists navigate complex legal and ethical dilemmas in family and marital therapy, such as dual relationships, boundary issues, and confidentiality.
Content Areas:
CE content for LMFTs must directly relate to the practice of marriage and family therapy. Appropriate topics may include:
- Marriage and family systems theory
- Couples counseling techniques
- Family intervention strategies
- Child and adolescent therapy within family systems
- Trauma-focused therapy in family settings
Approved Providers:
CE hours for LMFTs must be obtained through recognized providers, such as:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- National and state-level marriage and family therapy organizations
- Accredited academic institutions or professional training programs
- Providers pre-approved by the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
Documentation and Audit:
LMFTs are required to keep detailed records of their completed CE hours, including certificates of completion, for at least 5 years. Similar to LPCs, LMFTs may be subject to random audits by the licensing board.

Other Key Points for Both LPCs and LMFTs:

Online CE Courses:
Both LPCs and LMFTs can take CE courses online as long as they are from approved providers. There is generally no restriction on the number of hours that can be completed online, provided the courses meet the board’s approval.
Excess CE Credits:
In some cases, if a professional completes more than the required 24 CE hours in a renewal cycle, the additional hours cannot be carried over to the next cycle. Therefore, it’s important to track and plan CE activities accordingly.
Renewal and Non-Compliance:
If a counselor or therapist fails to complete the required CE hours before their license renewal deadline, they may face penalties or have their license placed in an inactive status until compliance is achieved. In such cases, they cannot legally practice until their license is renewed.

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

3. FAQs – Mississippi Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What happens if I do not complete my Continuing Education (CE) hours before the licensure renewal deadline?

A: If you fail to complete the required CE hours before your license renewal deadline, you risk having your license placed in inactive status or facing additional penalties. Inactive status means that you are no longer legally allowed to practice as a counselor or therapist in Mississippi until you fulfill the CE requirements and pay any associated late fees.

Once compliant, you may apply to have your license reactivated, but this process may involve further delays and costs. It’s important to complete the required CE hours on time to avoid disruptions in your ability to work.

Q: Can I complete all of my CE hours online, and are there limits on the type of CE courses I can take?

A: Yes, both Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in Mississippi can complete their CE hours through online courses, as long as the courses are offered by approved providers. There is no restriction on the number of CE hours that can be completed online, provided the courses meet the board’s approval.

Approved providers include national organizations like the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), among others. However, it is essential that at least 6 hours of your CE credits focus on professional ethics to meet state requirements.

Q: Can I carry over excess Continuing Education (CE) hours to the next renewal cycle if I complete more than the required 24 hours?

A: No, Mississippi does not allow counselors or therapists to carry over excess CE hours to the next renewal cycle. Each renewal period operates independently, and the 24-hour CE requirement (including 6 hours in ethics) must be fulfilled within each specific two-year cycle.

Any additional hours earned in a given cycle will not count toward the next renewal period, so it’s important to keep track of your CE activities and only complete what is necessary for each cycle.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet Mississippi Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.

4) Conclusion

► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: Agents of Change Continuing Education

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

Mississippi Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements