North Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

1) Key North Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In North Dakota, licensure and credentialing requirements for counselors and therapists are governed by the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners (NDBCE) and the North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NDMFTLB), depending on the type of counseling profession.

These boards set guidelines for the education, supervised experience, and examination necessary to become licensed and maintain licensure.

Credentialing and Licensure Requirements for Counselors and Therapists in North Dakota

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in North Dakota, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Education: Earn a master’s degree or higher in counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or an equivalent program.
Supervised Experience: Complete at least 700 hours of supervised clinical experience during the graduate program and two years of post-graduate supervised practice (3,000 hours).
Examination: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or another board-approved exam.
Application Fee: $150.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

To advance to a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) designation, additional requirements include:

Advanced Supervision: Complete an additional two years (2,000 hours) of supervised post-master’s clinical experience.
Examination: Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Application Fee: $150.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

The requirements for becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) include:

Education: Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from an accredited program.
Supervised Experience: Complete at least two years (3,000 hours) of post-graduate supervised experience, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact.
Examination: Pass the national exam administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
Application Fee: $150.

Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

For all counseling and therapy licenses in North Dakota, renewal is biennial (every two years). Licensees are required to complete continuing education (CE) hours to ensure they stay up-to-date with best practices and new developments in mental health care.

LPC Renewal Requirements:
- CE Hours: 30 continuing education hours every two years.
- Fee: $150.
LPCC Renewal Requirements:
- CE Hours: 40 continuing education hours every two years, which must include ethics training.
- Fee: $150.
LMFT Renewal Requirements:
- CE Hours: 30 continuing education hours every two years, with at least 3 hours focused on ethics.
- Fee: $150.

Costs and Fees for Licensure

The fees for licensure application, renewal, and other services in North Dakota are as follows:

Initial LPC and LPCC Application Fee: $150
Initial LMFT Application Fee: $150
Renewal Fee for LPC, LPCC, and LMFT: $150 biennially.
Supervision Registration Fee (LPC and LMFT): $75.

Licensees must ensure their continuing education credits are completed within each renewal cycle and pay renewal fees on time to avoid penalties or temporary suspension of their license. The state boards require CE credits to be taken from board-approved providers.

Sources

North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners: https://www.ndbce.org
North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board: https://www.nd.gov/marriageandfamilytherapyboard

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

2) North Dakota Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In North Dakota, counselors and therapists are required to fulfill specific continuing education (CE) requirements in order to renew their licenses. These requirements are in place to ensure that professionals stay current with advancements in the field and continue to provide high-quality care to their clients.

The CE requirements vary depending on the type of counseling or therapy license held, such as the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in North Dakota must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their licensure. Key points about LPC CE requirements include:

Number of Hours: 30 hours of CE credits are required during each two-year renewal cycle.
Ethics: At least 3 of these 30 hours must focus on professional ethics.
Approved Providers: CE courses must be provided by organizations that are recognized by the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners (NDBCE). These may include national or state counseling associations, accredited universities, or other board-approved programs.
Documentation: Counselors are responsible for maintaining records of their CE completion and must provide documentation upon request by the board.

Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, which reflects their advanced clinical role. Specific requirements for LPCCs include:

Number of Hours: 40 hours of CE credits are required per renewal cycle.
Ethics: Of the 40 hours, a minimum of 3 hours must be dedicated to ethics training.
Clinical Supervision: LPCCs who provide clinical supervision must also complete CE hours related to supervision practices. This typically involves 6 hours of supervision training every two years.
Approved Providers: As with LPCs, CE courses must be from board-approved providers or organizations, including professional counseling associations, universities, and licensed education providers.
Documentation: LPCCs are responsible for keeping track of CE activities and submitting proof if requested during license renewal or an audit by the board.

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

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) must also meet continuing education requirements to renew their licenses every two years. The key details for LMFT CE include:

Number of Hours: 30 hours of CE credits must be completed within each two-year period.
Ethics: A minimum of 3 hours must focus on ethics, particularly related to marriage and family therapy practices.
Approved Providers: LMFTs must take their CE courses from board-approved sources, such as programs approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) or other recognized entities.
Documentation: LMFTs must maintain and, if necessary, submit documentation proving that they have completed the required CE hours as part of their license renewal process.

Special Considerations for CE

Online CE Courses: North Dakota allows counselors and therapists to complete a portion of their continuing education credits online, provided the courses meet the board’s approval. However, licensees should verify that online programs are approved by their respective licensing board.
Carrying Over Excess Hours: Counselors and therapists may not carry over excess CE hours from one renewal cycle to the next. Each cycle requires the full completion of the required hours within the two-year period.
CE Audits: The North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners (NDBCE) and the North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NDMFTLB) may conduct random audits of licensees’ CE records to ensure compliance. Failure to meet CE requirements or provide appropriate documentation can result in disciplinary action.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet North Dakota 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 – North Dakota Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What happens if I don’t complete my continuing education (CE) requirements before my license renewal date in North Dakota?

A: If you do not complete the required continuing education (CE) hours before your license renewal deadline, you may face penalties such as the inability to renew your license on time. This could result in a temporary suspension of your ability to practice legally in North Dakota.

In some cases, you may be required to complete the necessary CE hours and pay a late renewal fee. It’s important to track your CE credits carefully and ensure that all documentation is ready in case of an audit by the licensing board. Failing to meet CE requirements can also lead to disciplinary actions by the board, including fines or other corrective measures.

Q: Can I complete all of my continuing education (CE) hours online, or are there limitations on how much can be done via online courses?

A: Yes, you can complete some or all of your continuing education (CE) hours online, as long as the courses are from board-approved providers. North Dakota does not place specific limitations on the number of CE hours that can be earned online. However, it is important to verify that the online courses are recognized by the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners (NDBCE) or the North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NDMFTLB), depending on your license type.

Online programs from reputable sources such as accredited universities or professional associations are typically accepted, but it’s a good idea to check with the board if you are unsure about the eligibility of a particular course.

Q: How do I know if a continuing education (CE) provider or course is approved for my licensure renewal?

A: To ensure that your continuing education (CE) courses count toward your licensure renewal, the courses must be offered by providers recognized by the relevant licensing board. Approved providers often include national or state professional organizations, accredited academic institutions, or other entities specifically approved by the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners (NDBCE) or the North Dakota Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NDMFTLB).

If you are unsure whether a particular provider is approved, you can check the board’s website or contact the board directly for confirmation. It’s also recommended to keep all documentation from CE courses, including certificates of completion, as proof of fulfillment for the renewal process.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet North Dakota 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