Wisconsin Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

In Wisconsin, becoming a licensed counselor or therapist requires meeting educational, experiential, and examination standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

The state offers several licenses for professionals in counseling and therapy, each with its own specific requirements. Below is an overview of the licensure requirements for various counseling and therapy credentials, including renewal details and associated fees.

1. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

To become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or a similar accrediting body.
Supervised Experience: Candidates must complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised counseling practice, with at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact.
Examination: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Application Fee: $75 for the initial application and $57 for the state law exam.

2. Licensed Professional Counselor In Training (LPC-IT)

This license allows candidates to gain supervised clinical experience before qualifying for full LPC licensure. Requirements include:

Education: Completion of a qualifying master’s degree program.
Supervision: Candidates must practice under supervision while accumulating the necessary hours for full LPC licensure.
Application Fee: $60 for the initial application and $57 for the state law exam.

3. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

To become an LMFT in Wisconsin, applicants must fulfill the following:

Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
Supervised Experience: 3,000 hours of supervised experience, including at least 1,000 hours of direct client contact in a clinical setting.
Examination: Pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.
Application Fee: $75 for the initial application and $57 for the state law exam.

4. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist In Training (LMFT-IT)

This license allows individuals to practice under supervision while completing the experience required for full LMFT licensure. Requirements are:

Education: Completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy.
Supervision: Required supervised practice hours.
Application Fee: $60 for the initial application and $57 for the state law exam.

Licensure Renewal Details

In Wisconsin, all professional counseling and therapy licenses must be renewed every two years. The renewal period typically ends on February 28 of odd-numbered years. The renewal process requires licensees to complete continuing education (CE) credits to maintain their license. The specific requirements include:

LPC and LMFT Continuing Education: Counselors and therapists must complete 30 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. At least 4 of these hours must cover professional ethics and boundaries.
Renewal Fee: The fee for renewing an LPC or LMFT license is $74.

Failing to renew on time can result in penalties, and practitioners are not legally allowed to practice with an expired license. If a license has expired for more than five years, additional requirements, such as passing a re-entry exam or completing more CE credits, may be imposed.

Additional Fees for Licensure

LPC and LMFT Late Renewal Fee: $25 (if renewed within five years after the expiration date).
Reinstatement Fee: If the license has been expired for more than five years, a reinstatement fee of $74 plus additional requirements may apply.
State Law Exam Fee: $57 (applicable to all licenses).

Staying compliant with Wisconsin’s licensure requirements for counselors and therapists ensures that professionals remain qualified and legally able to practice. By understanding the credentialing process, supervised experience expectations, examination requirements, and renewal obligations, licensed counselors and therapists can maintain their credentials while providing the highest quality care to their clients.

Sources:

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) – LPC Requirements: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/LPC/Default.aspx
Wisconsin DSPS – LMFT Requirements: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/LMFT/Default.aspx
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – NCE Exam: https://www.nbcc.org/exams/nce
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) – Exam: https://amftrb.org/

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

2) Wisconsin Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

To maintain licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Wisconsin, practitioners must complete a specific number of continuing education (CE) hours every two years. These requirements ensure that licensed professionals stay current with new developments, skills, and standards in the counseling and therapy fields. Below are the details for CE requirements for both LPCs and LMFTs.

1. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)

Total CE Hours: LPCs must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. The renewal period typically runs on a biennial cycle, with licenses needing to be renewed by February 28 of odd-numbered years.
Ethics and Boundaries: At least 4 of the 30 CE hours must be focused on professional ethics and boundaries. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure that counselors maintain a strong ethical framework in their practice.
Approved CE Programs: Continuing education activities must be approved by organizations recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Examples of acceptable sources for CE include:
- Courses approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- Programs from universities or accredited institutions
- Workshops or seminars offered by professional organizations in counseling
Types of CE Activities: CE hours can be earned through various formats, including attending workshops, seminars, webinars, online courses, and conferences, provided that these are offered by approved organizations. Additionally, counselors may gain CE credit for presenting at professional conferences or publishing research in peer-reviewed journals, as long as the subject matter is relevant to counseling.

2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs)

Total CE Hours: LMFTs in Wisconsin are also required to complete 30 hours of continuing education within the two-year renewal period, with renewals due by February 28 of odd-numbered years.
Ethics and Boundaries: Like LPCs, LMFTs must complete 4 hours of continuing education in the area of professional ethics and boundaries. This is critical to ensuring therapists uphold professional standards in their interactions with clients and colleagues.
Approved CE Programs: CE credits for LMFTs must be earned through activities recognized by the Wisconsin DSPS. Accepted CE providers typically include:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) approved programs
- Accredited universities or training institutes
- State-approved or national conferences focused on marriage and family therapy topics
Types of CE Activities: Similar to LPCs, LMFTs can earn their CE hours through live events like workshops, conferences, and lectures, as well as online courses and webinars. Presenting at relevant conferences or publishing papers related to marriage and family therapy can also count toward CE requirements.

Additional Details on CE Requirements

First Renewal Exemption: For both LPCs and LMFTs, individuals are exempt from completing CE requirements for their first license renewal if they were licensed within the same biennial period that they are renewing.
Tracking and Documentation: Licensed counselors and therapists must retain records of their CE completion for at least 5 years after their license renewal. These records must include certificates of completion or other documentation that verifies attendance or participation in approved programs.
Random Audits: The Wisconsin DSPS may conduct random audits to verify compliance with continuing education requirements. If selected for an audit, professionals will need to provide documentation confirming their completion of the required CE hours.
Renewal Fee: Both LPCs and LMFTs must pay a $74 renewal fee in addition to completing their CE requirements when renewing their license.

By understanding and adhering to the CE requirements, Wisconsin counselors and therapists can ensure they stay licensed and competent in their practice, providing high-quality care to clients.

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Staying informed about licensure renewal dates and continuing education (CE) requirements is essential for counselors and therapists in Wisconsin. These regulations not only ensure that professionals are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills in the field, but also protect the public by maintaining high standards of care. By keeping track of renewal deadlines and CE obligations, licensed professionals can avoid costly penalties and interruptions in their ability to practice.

Wisconsin’s LPC and LMFT licenses require a biennial renewal, accompanied by the completion of 30 CE hours, including 4 hours in ethics and boundaries.

Whether you’re attending workshops, completing online courses, or presenting at professional conferences, it’s crucial to verify that your CE activities are approved by recognized organizations such as the NBCC or AAMFT. Failing to meet these requirements can result in the expiration of your license, making it illegal to continue practicing until reinstated.

Resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education provide accessible and varied learning opportunities for Counselors and Therapists to meet Continuing Education requirements. Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education.

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