1) Key Texas Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates
In Texas, counselors and therapists must obtain specific licenses to practice and provide mental health services legally. The two primary types of licenses for counseling professionals are the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Each license has its own education, supervision, and exam requirements. Below is an overview of the credentialing and licensure requirements for each of these professions in Texas.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Requirements
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited institution. The program must include at least 48 graduate hours, with coursework covering areas such as counseling techniques, human development, and ethics.
- Supervised Experience: 3,000 hours of supervised experience, with at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact. These hours must be completed under the supervision of an LPC-Supervisor.
- Examination: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, which tests knowledge of state laws and rules for professional practice.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Requirements
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, counseling, or a related field. Programs must include at least 60 semester hours with coursework focused on family systems theory, assessment, and intervention.
- Supervised Experience: 3,000 hours of supervised experience post-graduation, with at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact. These hours must be supervised by a Texas-approved LMFT-Supervisor.
- Examination: Pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam.
Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education
Both LPCs and LMFTs in Texas are required to renew their licenses every two years. To be eligible for renewal, professionals must complete the following:
- Continuing Education (CE): LPCs and LMFTs must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. This includes 4 hours of ethics training and, as of recent updates, 1 hour of cultural diversity training.
- The renewal deadline for both LPCs and LMFTs is two years from the date the license was issued, at the end of the month. For example, if your license was originally issued on April 15, 2022, your renewal deadline would be April 30, 2024.
- Jurisprudence Exam: A passing score on the Texas Jurisprudence Exam is required during each renewal cycle for both LPCs and LMFTs.
Fees for Licensure Renewal and Application
Below is a breakdown of licensure fees for LPCs and LMFTs in Texas:
- LPC Fees:
- Initial License Application: $200
- LPC License Renewal: $106 every two years
- Temporary LPC License: $80
- Texas Jurisprudence Exam Fee: $40
- LMFT Fees:
- Initial License Application: $230
- LMFT License Renewal: $186 every two years
- Temporary LMFT License: $80
- Texas Jurisprudence Exam Fee: $40
Sources:
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) – https://www.bhec.texas.gov
- Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors – https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-professional-counselors/index.html
- Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists – https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-marriage-and-family-therapists/index.html
Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Texas’s requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.
2) Texas Counselor and Therpist Continuing Education Requirements
In Texas, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) are required to complete continuing education (CE) to maintain their licensure. The goal of CE is to ensure that mental health professionals stay current with evolving practices, ethical standards, and knowledge in their field. Below are the specific continuing education requirements and guidelines for both LPCs and LMFTs in Texas.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Continuing Education Requirements
LPCs must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensure renewal period. These hours must meet the following criteria:
- Ethics Requirement: At least 4 hours of continuing education must focus on ethics. This training should cover topics related to professional conduct, legal and ethical responsibilities, confidentiality, and best practices in counseling.
- Cultural Diversity Requirement: As of recent updates, LPCs must complete 1 hour of training on cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is designed to help counselors work more effectively with diverse populations and be sensitive to cultural differences.
- Texas Jurisprudence Exam: LPCs are required to take and pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam as part of their continuing education during each renewal period. This exam ensures that licensees remain knowledgeable about Texas laws and rules governing the practice of counseling.
- Approved Providers: CE hours must be obtained from providers approved by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) or the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. NBCC is one of the approved providers for Texas and Agents of Change Continuing Education is approved by NBCC.
- Online and In-Person Options: CE courses may be taken in a variety of formats, including online, in-person workshops, or professional conferences. However, the courses must be accredited by a recognized CE provider.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Continuing Education Requirements
LMFTs are also required to complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensure period, with the following specifics:
- Ethics Requirement: LMFTs must complete at least 6 hours of ethics training as part of their 24-hour requirement. This training should focus on legal, ethical, and professional standards for marriage and family therapists, including confidentiality, dual relationships, and informed consent.
- Cultural Diversity Requirement: Similar to LPCs, LMFTs must complete 1 hour of training focused on cultural competency. This ensures that therapists are equipped to provide effective services to clients from diverse backgrounds and can navigate cultural nuances in therapy.
- Texas Jurisprudence Exam: LMFTs must pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam during each renewal cycle. This is a required part of continuing education and ensures that LMFTs remain aware of the legal and ethical guidelines for practice in Texas.
- Approved Providers: Continuing education hours must be earned through approved providers recognized by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists. Professional associations, accredited institutions, and specialized training providers typically offer approved CE courses. NBCC is one of the approved providers for Texas and Agents of Change Continuing Education is approved by NBCC.
- Variety of Formats: Like LPCs, LMFTs can complete CE requirements through various means, such as online courses, live seminars, workshops, and professional conferences. These formats provide flexibility for therapists to fulfill their CE requirements.
Additional Considerations for CE in Texas
- Carryover Hours: Neither LPCs nor LMFTs are allowed to carry over continuing education hours from one renewal period to the next. All 24 hours must be earned within the two-year licensure period.
- Documentation: Licensees must keep records of their completed CE for at least four years. While they do not need to submit proof of CE with their renewal application, they may be asked to provide documentation if selected for a random audit by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC).
- Renewal Consequences: Failure to meet CE requirements by the license renewal deadline may result in penalties, fines, or the suspension of a professional’s ability to practice until the requirements are fulfilled.
Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Texas’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 – Texas Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEUs
Q: What happens if I miss my license renewal deadline for LPC or LMFT in Texas?
A: If you miss your license renewal deadline, your license will expire, and you will no longer be able to legally practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Texas. You may face penalties or additional fees to reinstate your license.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) allows a late renewal period of 12 months, but late fees will apply. During this time, you must complete any outstanding continuing education requirements, pay renewal fees, and pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam to reactivate your license. After 12 months, if the license is still not renewed, it will be considered forfeited, requiring a new application to be submitted.
Q: Can I carry over continuing education hours from one renewal cycle to the next?
A: No, Texas does not allow Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) to carry over any continuing education (CE) hours from one renewal period to the next.
All 24 required CE hours, including the mandatory ethics and cultural diversity courses, must be completed within the two-year licensure period before your license renewal date. If you exceed 24 hours during one renewal cycle, the extra hours will not count towards the next cycle.
Q: What continuing education (CE) topics are mandatory for LPCs and LMFTs in Texas?
A: In Texas, both LPCs and LMFTs must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Among these, ethics is a mandatory topic for both professions: