Vermont Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

1) Key Vermont Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In Vermont, counselors and therapists are regulated by the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners. To practice as a counselor or therapist, individuals must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements, which vary based on the type of license.

Here is an overview of the credentialing requirements, licensure renewal details, and associated fees for licensed counselors and therapists in Vermont.

1. Credentialing Requirements for Counselors and Therapists in Vermont

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC):
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of supervision.
- Examination: Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related mental health field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Experience: 3,000 hours of supervised experience in marriage and family therapy, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of supervision.
- Examination: Pass the Marriage and Family Therapy National Examination administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC):
- Education: Completion of a master’s or bachelor’s degree with specific coursework in alcohol and drug counseling.
- Supervised Experience: At least 2,000 hours of supervised work experience for master’s degree holders or 4,000 hours for bachelor’s degree holders.
- Examination: Pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam.

2. Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education

Renewal Cycle: All licenses are valid for two years, and professionals are required to renew by the expiration date. The specific renewal date is set for two years from the initial date of licensure.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements:
- LCMHC and LMFT: Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal cycle. This must include a minimum of four hours in professional ethics.
- LADC: 40 hours of continuing education is required for each two-year cycle, with at least 6 hours focused on ethics.
Penalties for Lapsed Licenses: If the renewal process is not completed on time, the license may be suspended, and a late renewal fee may apply. Professionals must also cease practicing until the license is renewed.

3. Fees for Licenses

LCMHC Fees:
- Initial Application Fee: $100
- Biennial Renewal Fee: $150
LMFT Fees:
- Initial Application Fee: $100
- Biennial Renewal Fee: $150
LADC Fees:
- Initial Application Fee: $75
- Biennial Renewal Fee: $135
Other Fees:
- Late Renewal Fee: $25 in addition to the standard renewal fee.
- Reinstatement Fee: If a license has expired for more than two years, professionals must reapply and pay a reinstatement fee of $200 in addition to the renewal fee.

These requirements ensure that counselors and therapists in Vermont maintain the necessary educational standards, supervised practice, and ongoing professional development through continuing education. Staying informed about these requirements and renewal deadlines helps avoid unnecessary interruptions to practice.

Sources:

Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors: https://sos.vermont.gov/allied-mental-health/lcmhc/
Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists: https://sos.vermont.gov/allied-mental-health/lmft/
Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation. Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors: https://sos.vermont.gov/alcohol-drug/ladc/

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

2) Vermont Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In Vermont, counselors and therapists are required to meet specific continuing education (CE) requirements to renew their licenses every two years. These CE requirements are in place to ensure that mental health professionals remain up-to-date with advancements in the field, ethical practices, and clinical skills.

Below is a detailed overview of the continuing education requirements for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) in Vermont.

1. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC)

Total CE Hours: LCMHCs must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
Ethics Requirement: A minimum of 4 hours of the 40 total hours must be focused on professional ethics.
Topics and Focus Areas: Continuing education activities should be relevant to the field of clinical mental health counseling. These can include topics such as therapeutic techniques, assessment methods, crisis intervention, multicultural counseling, or legal issues related to mental health practice.
Approved Providers: CE courses must be provided or approved by recognized organizations, including:
- The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  - Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved.
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- Other nationally or regionally recognized mental health organizations
Documentation: LCMHCs must retain certificates or records of completion for all CE activities in case of an audit by the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners.

2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)

Total CE Hours: LMFTs are also required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
Ethics Requirement: At least 4 of these hours must cover ethics, focusing on areas such as confidentiality, dual relationships, and professional boundaries.
Topics and Focus Areas: LMFTs should focus their CE activities on subjects related to marriage and family therapy, including but not limited to family systems therapy, couples therapy, clinical supervision, or mental health diagnoses and treatments within family contexts.
Approved Providers: CE credits must be earned from reputable providers such as:
- The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- Regionally or nationally recognized mental health organizations
Documentation: LMFTs must keep proof of CE credits to submit to the board if audited.

3. Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC)

Total CE Hours: LADCs must also complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain licensure.
Ethics Requirement: A minimum of 6 hours of the required 40 must be related to professional ethics, particularly concerning substance abuse counseling.
Topics and Focus Areas: LADCs should focus on CE activities that enhance their understanding of substance use disorders, treatment modalities, prevention strategies, pharmacology, co-occurring disorders, and other issues relevant to alcohol and drug counseling.
Approved Providers: CE providers for LADCs include:
- The International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)
- National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
- Other approved providers in the substance abuse counseling field
Documentation: LADCs must maintain records of all CE activities in the event of an audit by the licensing board.

Additional Information on CE Requirements:

Acceptable Formats: Continuing education can be obtained through various methods, including workshops, seminars, online courses, and professional conferences. Some CE credits may also be earned by teaching relevant courses, publishing academic work, or participating in clinical supervision.
Distance Learning: Vermont allows online and distance learning programs for continuing education, as long as they meet the standards set by approved providers.
Audits: The Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners may conduct random audits to verify that professionals have met their CE requirements. It is essential for licensees to retain certificates and documentation for several years after completion.

CE and Renewal Timelines:

Renewal Deadline: Counselors and therapists in Vermont must submit their CE documentation during the license renewal process every two years. The renewal deadline is two years from the date of initial licensure, and professionals are responsible for ensuring their CE hours are completed by this time.
Consequences of Non-Compliance: Failure to meet the CE requirements can result in penalties, including the non-renewal or suspension of a license. In some cases, counselors and therapists may be required to complete additional CE hours or pay fines to reinstate their license.

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

Q: What are the continuing education (CE) requirements for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC) in Vermont?

A: LCMHCs in Vermont are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses. Out of these 40 hours, at least 4 hours must focus on professional ethics, covering topics such as confidentiality, boundaries, and ethical decision-making.

The remaining hours should relate to clinical mental health counseling practices, including therapeutic techniques, assessment strategies, and emerging trends in mental health. CE activities must be completed through approved providers, such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Counseling Association (ACA). LCMHCs should retain documentation of all completed CE hours in case of a board audit.

Q: What happens if I fail to meet the continuing education (CE) requirements or miss my licensure renewal deadline?

A: If you fail to complete the required CE hours or miss the licensure renewal deadline, you risk penalties, including the suspension of your license. In Vermont, counselors and therapists cannot legally practice without an active license.

If you do not complete your CE requirements by the renewal deadline, you may need to pay a late renewal fee of $25 in addition to the standard renewal fee, and your license may be temporarily suspended until all requirements are met. If a license has been expired for more than two years, you may be required to reapply for licensure and pay a reinstatement fee of $200, along with fulfilling any outstanding CE requirements.

Q: What types of continuing education activities are accepted for licensure renewal in Vermont?

A: Vermont allows a variety of continuing education (CE) formats for licensure renewal, including in-person workshops, online courses, webinars, professional conferences, and seminars. Some credits may also be earned by teaching relevant courses, publishing in professional journals, or providing clinical supervision.

However, all CE activities must be offered by recognized and approved providers, such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), or the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Licensees should verify that the courses or activities they choose meet the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners’ standards before enrollment and retain records of completion for submission if audited.

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