How to Become a Counselor in Nevada
As in many other states, counselors in Nevada are known as Clinical Professional Counselors (CPCs). Counselors still in the supervision stage of licensure are known as CPC Interns. The state’s premier professional organization for CPCs is the Nevada Counseling Association, a branch of the American Counseling Association whose mission is to “enhance the quality of life by promoting the development of professional counselors.” Licensure for CPCs in Nevada is managed by the state Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors.
Licensure requirements for counselors in Nevada, including those relating to education, supervision, examination, fees, and renewal, 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 aspiring CPCs in the state.
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Counselor Education in Nevada
Licensure as a clinical professional counselor in Nevada requires the completion of a graduate degree in mental health from a program approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or a regionally accredited institute of higher education with a psychiatry residency approved by the state Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors.
Appropriate degree programs will provide instruction in each of the following content areas:
- Human growth and development
- Individual counseling theories
- Individual counseling techniques and practice
- Lifestyle and career development
- Group dynamics, counseling, and consulting
- Ethics and professional studies
- Supervised practice of clinical professional counseling
- Diagnosis and assessment
- Social and cultural foundations
- Research and evaluation
- Abuse of alcohol or controlled substances
Internship Requirements
Internship experiences accumulative to 600 clinical graduate contact hours is required as a part of CACREP accredited degree program. These hours are typically completed over two 3-credit courses.
Supervision Hours
“Supervision” is shorthand for post-graduate, directed experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. However, Nevada titles post-graduate clinical counseling experience as an “internship”. Nevada requires aspiring CPCs to complete 3,000 hours of supervised counseling contact hours. Of these hours, at least 1,500 must be in direct contact with clients and at least 100 must be under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor at a rate of at least one hour per week in the work setting.
Examination
Clinical professional counselor licensure in Nevada requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam, which 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 administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
CPC Licensure Fees
CPCs in Nevada can expect to pay the following fees for their license, renewal, and examination:
CPC Application: $75
CPC License: $50
CPC Annual License Renewal: $150
CPC License Renewal
CPC licenses in Nevada expire annually on January 1. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.
Continuing Education
Nevada CPCs are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) during each one-year renewal period. Of these hours, at least three must focus on ethics in the practice of clinical professional counseling. CE hours may be earned through instructing coursework related to clinical professional counseling, with each hour taught counting for two hours of CE. Other ways to obtain continuing education credits include attending seminars, workshops or conferences.
Additional Information
For Counselors Licensed in Other States
The Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. Applicants from other states must provide proof of equivalency in board regulations and licensure requirements. A fingerprints and background process will also be required.
Average Counselor Salary in Nevada
The following types of counselors in Nevada can expect to earn the respective average hourly and average annual wages, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
| Type of Counselor | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $24.58 | $51,130 |
| Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors | $26.42 | $54,960 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $19.82 | $41,230 |
| All Other Counselors | $29.37 | $61,100 |
Nevada Counseling Scholarships
The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring LCPCs in Nevada:
Nevada Health Service Corps
- Type: Loan Repayments
- Amount: To Be Decided
- Description: LCPCs in Nevada are eligible to apply for loan repayment assistance in exchange for working in a state-designated shortage area for an average of two years.
American Addiction Centers’ Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: $2,500 to $5,000
- Description: American Addiction Centers offers three scholarships providing financial assistance to full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate school students pursuing careers in behavior health and addiction-related studies, including counseling.
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: To Be Decided by School
- Description: The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funds to schools, which in turn offer scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are studying professional counseling (amongst other health professions).
*Licensure information including requirements, salaries, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of November 2019. Information may have changed since, check with the state's board of licensing for more information.