How to Become a Counselor in Washington, D.C.
As in many other states, counselors in Washington, D.C. 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 Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPCs). A major professional organization for counselors in Washington, D.C. is the District of Columbia Counseling Association (DCCA), a branch of the American Counseling Association. Mental health counselors may also look to the District of Columbia Mental Health Counselors Association (DCMHCA), which specifically represents LPCs and LGPCs in the District.
Licensure for LPCs and LGPCs in Washington, D.C. is managed by the District’s Board of Professional Counseling, a division of the Washington, D.C. Department of Health. Licensure requirements for counselors in Washington, D.C., including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal, and “licensure by endorsement,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to LPCs and LGPCs in D.C.
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Counselor Education in Washington, D.C.
In Washington, D.C., counselor licensure requires a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related subject from an accredited college or university. Applicants for LPC licensure must complete at least 60 graduate semester hours, while applicants for LGPC licensure may qualify with at least 48 graduate semester hours. The District also requires specific graduate coursework in core counseling content areas such as counseling theory and practice, human growth and development, career development, group counseling, assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, social and cultural foundations, ethics, research, and supervised practicum or internship experience.
Internship Requirements
In addition to the coursework listed above, LPC licensure in Washington, D.C. also requires the completion of a counseling internship or practicum. This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for licensure. (See below for details)
Supervision Hours
“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. LPC licensure in Washington, D.C. requires the completion of 3,500 hours of supervision in no less than two years and no more than five. Of the 3,500 required hours, at least 200 must be completed under immediate supervision, and at least 100 of those hours under immediate supervision must be individual rather than group supervision.
Examinations
Washington, D.C. LPC licensure requires a passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), a 200-question, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills, and abilities in effective counseling services.
LPC Licensure Fees
LPCs in Washington, D.C. can expect to pay the following fees for their application, license, renewal, and examination:
- LPC Application: $85
- LPC Initial License: $145
- LPC Biennial License Renewal: $145
- LPC Late Renewal Penalty: $85
LPC License Renewal
License renewal requires payment of the renewal fee and completion of the District’s continuing education requirements. LPCs must complete 40 hours of approved continuing education during the two-year period before renewal, although licensees renewing for the first time are not required to complete CE hours. At least 10% of the required CE must be in public health priorities identified by DC Health.
Continuing Education
Washington, D.C. LPCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. At least six of the 40 hours must be in ethics; four must be in trauma counseling; two must be in LGBTQ cultural competence and appropriate clinical treatment; and at least four hours (10% of the total) must be in public health priorities identified by DC Health. CE hours may be earned through approved graduate coursework, seminars, workshops, conference programs, in-service training, and other formally organized learning activities, including online and home-study formats when accepted under District rules.
Additional Information
For Counselors Licensed in Other States
The District of Columbia Board of Professional Counseling offers an alternative path to licensure for counselors who are already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. This pathway, known as licensure by endorsement, is outlined in the current DC Health application materials and policies for both Professional Counselor and Graduate Professional Counselor applicants.
Average Counselor Salary in Washington, D.C.
Counselors in Washington, D.C. can expect to earn the following average hourly and annual wages, according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Washington, D.C. Counseling Scholarships
The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to LPCs and LGPCs in Washington, D.C.:
APA Predoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (MHSAS)
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: To Be Decided
- Description: The American Psychological Association’s Predoctoral MHSAS Fellowship supports doctoral students in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, and related psychology doctoral pathways who are preparing for careers in behavioral health services. It is a psychology-focused fellowship, so it is not a general scholarship for master’s-level counseling students.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
- Type: Loan Repayments
- Amount: Up to $50,000 for a two-year full-time initial contract for behavioral health providers; up to $25,000 for half-time service
- Description: Washington, D.C. LPCs and LGPCs are eligible to apply for loan repayment assistance in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) at a site approved by the National Health Service Corps. Funding is tied to HPSA score and is in exchange for two years of full- or half-time service.
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: To Be Decided
- Description: The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program provides funding to eligible schools, not directly to students. Students must check with their school’s financial aid office to see whether their program participates and whether they qualify. Some behavioral and mental health programs, including mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling, may be eligible at funded institutions.
*Licensure information, including requirements, salaries, renewals, and fees, was retrieved as of April 2026. Information may have changed since; check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.
Information Last Updated: April 2026