As in many other states, counselors in North Dakota who have obtained their licensure are known as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). Those who have yet to complete the supervision portion of the licensure process are called Licensed Associate Professional Counselors (LAPCs), and those who have continued their education and further developed their clinical skills can obtain licensure as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs).

The state’s premier professional organizations for LPCs, LAPCs and LPCCs is the North Dakota Counseling Association, whose mission is to “provide quality professional development opportunities, facilitate networking, advocate for the counseling profession and promote leadership activities and encourage active involvement in the organization.” Licensure for LPCs, LAPCs and LPCCs in North Dakota is managed by the state’s Board of Counselor Examiners.

Licensure requirements for counselors in North Dakota, 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 in the state.

North Dakota professional counselor licensure (PDF, 24.0 KB) requires the completion of a master’s degree in counseling, counselor education, counseling and guidance or counseling and development.

Appropriate degree programs will be at least 48 semester credits, with coursework in each of the following core content areas:

Effective July 1, 2017, all master’s degrees in counseling must be 60 semester credits for consideration as a licensed counselor in North Dakota.

Applicants who complete a 60 semester credit degree are eligible for the LPCC licensure. However, individuals must first hold licensure as a licensed professional counselor.

In addition to the coursework listed above, LAPC, LPC, and LPCC licensure in North Dakota also requires the completion of a 700-hour counseling internship or practicum. This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for licensure.

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“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. LPC licensure in North Dakota requires a two-year Plan of Supervision, which should include 400 hours of client contact and 100 hours of direction from an approved supervisor — of which 60 hours must be one-on-one.

For LPCC licensure, applicants must complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s clinical supervised experience within a two-year period with at least 100 hours of supervision.

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Before applying to become an associate professional counselor then an LPC, applicants are required to obtain a passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification, a 200-question, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills and abilities in effective counseling services.

The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is required for licensure as an LPCC. 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.

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Counselors in North Dakota can expect to pay the following fees for their license application, renewal and examination (PDF, 9.8 MB):

LPC/LPCC License Application: $150

LPC License Biennial Renewal: $150

LPC and LPCC Combined Renewal: $225

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North Dakota LPC/LPCC licenses expire two years after being issued. License renewal requires completing the renewal application, paying renewal fees and completing the required hours of continuing education (CE).

LPCs in North Dakota are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education (PDF, 23.7 KB) during each two-year renewal period. LPCCs are required to provide proof of completion of 40 CE hours. At least three of these hours must primarily focus on ethics. No more than 15 hours each period may be earned from one source, event or topic. CE may not be earned through webinars and other online methods. It can be earned through supervision, in-service training, presentation of CE events and coursework.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners has an alternative route to licensure (PDF, 218 KB) for counselors who have already earned their licenses in other parts of the United States. This process is called “licensure by reciprocity”. Out-of-state applicants must provide proof of degree completion, a license in good standing, supervision completion, a passing score on the NCE, and a statement of professional intent.

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North Dakota counselors can expect to earn the following average hourly and average annual wages, according to May 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to LPCs in North Dakota:

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*Licensure information including requirements, salaries, 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