1) Key Ohio Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates
In Ohio, counselors and therapists must meet specific educational, examination, and supervised experience requirements to obtain and maintain licensure.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) oversees the credentialing process, which varies depending on the type of license sought. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the credentials required, the licensure renewal process, and associated fees for counselors and therapists.
1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Educational Requirements: A master’s degree in counseling or a related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or an equivalent program.
- Examination: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
- Supervised Experience: Applicants must complete 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of internship.
2. Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Educational Requirements: Hold a master’s degree or higher in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program or an equivalent.
- Examination: Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- Supervised Experience: Applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical experience within a minimum of two years under the supervision of an LPCC.
3. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Educational Requirements: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education)-accredited program or equivalent.
- Examination: Pass the national Marriage and Family Therapy Examination.
- Supervised Experience: Complete 200 hours of supervision and 1,000 hours of clinical practice.
4. Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (LIMFT)
- Educational Requirements: Hold a master’s degree or higher in marriage and family therapy.
- Examination: Pass the national Marriage and Family Therapy Examination.
- Supervised Experience: 1,000 hours of clinical work, including 200 hours of supervised experience.
Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education Requirements
Licenses in Ohio must be renewed biennially, and each license type has specific continuing education (CE) requirements. Counselors and therapists must complete the required CE hours during the two-year renewal period. The renewal deadline for counseling and therapy licenses is based on the licensee’s birth month. This means that your specific renewal deadline will always fall on the last day of your birth month during the year your license is due for renewal.
Failure to complete the CE requirements or renew the license on time may result in suspension or penalties.
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC):
- Renewal Cycle: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 30 hours of continuing education (including 3 hours of ethics).
- Renewal Fee: $130 for LPC, $170 for LPCC.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (LIMFT):
- Renewal Cycle: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 30 hours of continuing education (including 3 hours of ethics).
- Renewal Fee: $130 for LMFT, $170 for LIMFT.
Fees for Initial Licensure and Renewal
Below is a list of the initial licensure fees and renewal costs for counselors and therapists in Ohio:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
- Initial Licensure Fee: $60.
- Renewal Fee: $130.
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC):
- Initial Licensure Fee: $75.
- Renewal Fee: $170.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
- Initial Licensure Fee: $60.
- Renewal Fee: $130.
- Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (LIMFT):
- Initial Licensure Fee: $75.
- Renewal Fee: $170.
Sources:
- Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board: https://cswmft.ohio.gov/
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): https://www.nbcc.org/
- Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE): https://coamfte.org/
Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Ohio’s requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.
2) Ohio Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements
In Ohio, licensed counselors and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are required to complete a set number of Continuing Education (CE) hours within each licensure renewal cycle to maintain their licenses.
The CE requirements are set by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT), and the purpose of these requirements is to ensure that professionals stay updated on industry standards, new research, and best practices to provide high-quality care to their clients.
General CE Requirements for Counselors and Therapists
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- CE Hours Required: 30 hours every two years.
- Ethics Requirement: At least 3 of these 30 hours must be in the subject of ethics.
- Additional Requirements: Counselors are encouraged to engage in continuing education that broadens their professional skills and knowledge, with a focus on improving client care. However, specific topics can vary based on individual practice areas.
- Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- CE Hours Required: 30 hours every two years.
- Ethics Requirement: Like the LPC, LPCCs are required to complete 3 hours in ethics as part of their 30-hour CE requirement.
- Supervision CE Requirement (if applicable): If the LPCC is also a clinical supervisor, they must complete an additional 3 hours in supervision training every renewal cycle.
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- CE Hours Required: 30 hours every two years.
- Ethics Requirement: At least 3 of the 30 hours must be in ethics.
- Additional Requirements: While there are no mandatory specific content areas beyond ethics, LMFTs should focus on continuing education relevant to their practice, particularly in areas related to marriage and family therapy.
- Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist (LIMFT)
- CE Hours Required: 30 hours every two years.
- Ethics Requirement: 3 of the 30 hours must be in ethics.
- Supervision CE Requirement (if applicable): LIMFTs who supervise other therapists must complete an additional 3 hours of supervision-focused CE during each renewal period.
Special Considerations for Continuing Education
- Online and In-Person Training: CE hours can be earned through a variety of formats, including online webinars, workshops, conferences, and formal academic courses. However, the training provider must be approved by the Ohio CSWMFT Board, or the program must meet recognized national standards (such as NBCC-approved programs). Agents of Change Continuing Education is approved by NBCC.
- Ethics Courses: The ethics portion of CE must cover relevant topics such as confidentiality, professional conduct, boundary issues, or state-specific regulations impacting counselors and therapists. Ethics courses can often be found through state associations, national organizations, or approved CE providers.
- Supervision Courses: For those who are providing clinical supervision, it is essential to fulfill the supervision training requirement (3 additional CE hours). This training should focus on developing supervision skills, enhancing the ability to mentor and guide less experienced counselors or therapists, and maintaining ethical supervision practices.
- Excess Hours: If a licensed counselor or therapist earns more than 30 hours of CE during a renewal period, up to 15 excess hours may be carried forward into the next renewal period. However, ethics and supervision hours cannot be carried forward—they must be completed within each specific two-year cycle.
- Record Keeping: Licensed professionals are responsible for maintaining their own CE records, which must include certificates of completion or other official documentation from the approved CE provider. Practitioners may be subject to audits by the Ohio CSWMFT Board, during which they will need to provide proof of their completed CE.
Approved CE Providers
Approved continuing education providers typically include:
- National professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
- NBCC-approved providers, which offer a range of CE options specifically tailored to counselors.
- State-level organizations like the Ohio Counseling Association (OCA) or the Ohio Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (OAMFT) often host conferences and workshops that provide CE credits.
It is important to verify that the courses are offered by an approved provider or have been pre-approved by the Ohio CSWMFT Board to ensure compliance with renewal requirements.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to complete the required CE hours can result in penalties, including fines, mandatory coursework, and potential suspension of licensure. If a counselor or therapist does not meet CE requirements by their renewal date, they may not legally practice until they have fulfilled the renewal and CE obligations.
Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Ohio’s Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEUs, 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 – Ohio Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEUs
Q: What happens if I miss the licensure renewal deadline for my LPC or LPCC in Ohio?
A: If you miss the renewal deadline for your Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license in Ohio, your license will expire, and you will no longer be legally permitted to practice counseling until it is renewed.
You may still renew your license late by paying a late fee in addition to the regular renewal fee and completing the required Continuing Education (CE) hours. However, practicing without a valid license can result in disciplinary action from the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT), including potential fines or further penalties. It’s important to stay on top of your renewal date and complete CE requirements to avoid any lapse in your ability to practice.
Q: Can I carry over Continuing Education (CE) hours from one renewal period to the next?
A: Yes, Ohio allows counselors and therapists to carry over a maximum of 15 excess Continuing Education (CE) hours from one renewal period to the next. However, these carry-over hours do not apply to the ethics requirement or supervision training if you are a clinical supervisor.
Ethics (3 hours) and, if applicable, supervision (3 hours) must be completed within each specific two-year renewal cycle and cannot be carried forward. Make sure to track your CE hours carefully and ensure you meet these requirements each cycle.
Q: How can I verify that a Continuing Education (CE) course is approved by the Ohio CSWMFT Board?
A: To ensure that a Continuing Education (CE) course is approved, you should check whether the provider is recognized by the Ohio CSWMFT Board or accredited by a national organization such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Many state and national professional organizations also offer pre-approved CE courses. Before enrolling in a course, it’s a good idea to verify with the CE provider that their program is board-approved or check the Ohio CSWMFT Board’s website for a list of approved providers. Taking unapproved courses may result in the credits not being counted towards your renewal requirements.
Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet Ohio’s Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.