As in many states, counselors in West Virginia who have obtained their licensure are known as licensed professional counselors (LPCs). The state’s premier professional organization for LPCs is the West Virginia Counseling Association, a branch of the American Counseling Association whose mission is “to enhance the quality of individual life in our society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession, and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity.”

Licensure for LPCs is managed by the Wes Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling. Licensure requirements for counselors in West Virginia, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal and “licensure 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.

To be licensed as a professional counselor in West Virginia, you must complete a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from an institution accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Council on Rehabilitation Education or a comparable accrediting body.

Appropriate degree programs will be 60 semester hours of graduate coursework (PDF, 147 KB) with a minimum of three semester hours in each of the following content areas:

Additional required elective coursework should be in:

In addition to the coursework listed above, LPC licensure in West Virginia requires the completion of a supervised practicum and internship. These requirements are 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 West Virginia requires the completion of 3,000 hours of supervision for holders of master’s degrees and 1,500 hours for holders of doctoral degrees. At least 50% of those hours must be in direct client contact, and there should be one hour of supervised direction from an approved supervisor for every 20 hours of practice.

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LPC licensure in West Virginia 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 consists of 175 multiple-choice questions across 10 subjects underlying rehabilitation counseling. One portion of the exam tests knowledge regarding 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 West Virginia can expect to pay the following fees (PDF, 114 KB) for their application, license and renewal:

LPC License Application: $250

LPC Temporary Permit: $50

LPC Initial License: $220 (Prorated)

LPC Annual License Renewal: $145

LPC Late License Renewal: $100

LPC Licensure by Endorsement Application: $300

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LPC licenses in West Virginia expire biennially on July 1 of each odd-numbered year. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

West Virginia LPCs must complete 35 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. At least three of these hours must focus on related ethics. CE hours may be earned through graduate courses, publication of journal articles, publication of books, graduate course instruction, agency training, presentations, supervision and home study.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling 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 endorsement (PDF, 221 KB).” Out-of-state applicants are required to submit an application, copies of graduate education, exam results, two professional recommendation forms and the appropriate fee.

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Counselors in West Virginia earned the following mean hourly and annual wages 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 in West Virginia:

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

Last updated: July 2022