As in some other states, counselors in Utah who have completed their licensure are known as licensed clinical mental health counselors (LCMHCs). Utah counselors who are still in the supervision portion of the licensure process are referred to as associate clinical mental health counselors (ACMHCs), and those who have not yet completed their coursework requirements may be called ACMHC externs.

The state’s premier professional organization for LCMHCs is the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association, a local member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association whose mission is “to enhance the profession of mental health counseling through licensing, advocacy, education, and professional development in the state of Utah.” Licensure for Utah LCMHCs is managed by the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, a division of the Utah Department of Commerce.

Licensure requirements for counselors in Utah, 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 scholarship opportunities and loan repayment programs available to LCMHCs in the state.

Licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah requires the completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling or counselor education and supervision from a program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Appropriate degree programs will  be a master’s or doctorate degree with at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credit hours in either: 

Clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, counselor education, and supervision from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or

Clinical mental health counseling or an equivalent field from a program affiliated with an institution that has accreditation that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Internships are routinely required for licensure and graduation from qualifying related academic programs for clinical mental health counseling. Prospective students should always consult their intended accredited institution for further information on mandatory internship requirements.

(Back to Top)

“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision (PDF, 58.9 KB) in a work setting. Utah requires LCMHCs to complete 3,000 hours of supervision, including at least 2 years of clinical supervision.

(Back to Top)

LCMHC licensure in Utah requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). 

The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation, and supervision. It consists of 11 case studies (10 scored, 1 unscored) and assesses clinical problem-solving ability across five domains: professional practice and ethics; intake assessment and diagnosis; treatment planning; counseling skills and interventions; and core counseling attributes. It is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

A passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) is a requirement for LPC licensure. The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills, and abilities in effective counseling services.

(Back to Top)

Utah LCMHCs can expect to pay the following fees for their license, application, and renewal (PDF, 84.9KB). 

(Back to Top)

Utah LCMHC licenses expire biennially on September 30 of each even-numbered year. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

LCMHCs in Utah are required to complete at least 40 hours of continuing education directly related to the licensee’s professional practice, of which at least six hours shall be in ethics/law, and two hours in suicide prevention. At least six of these hours must focus on ethics and laws governing professional counseling, and two hours on suicide prevention.

10 hours of continuing education may be accrued from online, self-study courses. The remaining 30 hours must be accrued through an in-person course or live, interactive webinars.

(Back to Top)

For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing has an alternative route to licensure (PDF, 58.9 KB) for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. This process is called “licensure by endorsement.” Out-of-state applicants must submit an application, pay appropriate fees, provide proof of an active license that is in good standing, submit at least 4,000 documented clinical counseling hours with 1,000 in mental health therapy, pass a specific jurisprudence examination, and prove a passing score on the NCMHCE.

(Back to Top)

The following types of Utah counselors can expect to earn these median annual wages, according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

(Back to Top)

The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to Utah LCMHCs:

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

(Back to Top)

*Licensure information, including requirements, renewals, scholarships, and fees, was retrieved as of March 2026. Information may have changed since check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.