As in many other states, counselors in Wyoming who have obtained their licensure are known as licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and those who have yet to complete the supervision portion of the licensure process are known as provisional professional counselors (PPCs).

The state’s premier professional organization for LPCs is the Wyoming Counseling Association, a branch of the American Counseling Association. The Wyoming branch was founded in 1954 as the Wyoming Personnel and Guidance Association. Its mission today is “the enhancement of human development throughout the lifespan and the promotion of the counseling profession.”

Licensure for LPCs in Wyoming is managed by the state’s Mental Health Professions Licensing Board. Licensure requirements for counselors in Wyoming, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal and “licensure by reciprocity,” are examined in detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and scholarships and loan repayment programs available to LPCs in the state.

LPC licensure in Wyoming requires the completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). Programs not accredited by CACREP or CORE may be acceptable if they are certified by a regional or national institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and meet the coursework requirements below.

Appropriate degree programs will be 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, with instruction in each of the following core content areas:

In addition to the coursework listed above, LPC licensure in Wyoming requires the completion of an internship, practicum or field experience under clinical supervision. Practicum experience must equate to at least 100 hours over a 10-week academic term. Internships must include 600 hours of supervised experience reflective of the work of a professional counselor. Postgraduate supervision is also necessary for licensure.

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“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, postgraduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. LPC licensure in Wyoming requires the completion of 3,000 hours of supervision for holders of master’s degrees, with 1,200 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of face-to-face, individual direction from an approved supervisor.

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Licensure as a professional counselor in Wyoming requires a passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification, the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam.

National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)

The NCE is a 200-question, multiple-choice exam administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills and abilities in effective counseling services.

National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE)

The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis and treatment. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Exam

The CRC exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions across 10 subjects underlying rehabilitation counseling. One portion of the exam tests knowledge about counseling, while the other pertains to rehabilitation and disability issues. It is administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

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LPCs in Wyoming can expect to pay the following fees for their license application and renewal:

LPC License Application: $350

LPC License Renewal: $125

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LPC licenses in Wyoming expire biennially on the counselor’s birthday. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

Wyoming LPCs must complete 45 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. One academic semester credit is equivalent to 15 hours of CE. Aside from courses, CE may be earned by making presentations, though for a maximum of only six hours each period. Other activities with significant intellectual or practical content with the primary objective of increasing the participant’s competence within professional counseling may also count toward CE.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other parts of the United States. This process is called “licensure by reciprocity.”

Applicants who directly meet and satisfy Wyoming licensing requirements and are licensed in another state may be issued a license as a professional counselor. Applicants who need to complete additional supervised hours may be issued a provisional license of practice.

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Here are mean hourly and annual wages earned by counselors in Wyoming in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to LPCs and PPCs in Wyoming:

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*Licensure information including requirements, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of May 2022. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.

Last Updated: May 2022