The Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (AZBBHE) issues the credential you must obtain if you want to engage in counseling as an independent practitioner anywhere throughout the state: the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Before you can become an LPC you’ll need to complete a period of supervised work experience as a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC). Show
Steps Towards Counseling Licensure in ArizonaTo qualify for the LAC license and subsequently full licensure as an LPC you’ll need to complete these basic steps:
Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)Application Requirements:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)Application Requirements:
Renewing Your LicenseThe LAC and LPC licenses expire every two years. You can renew your license by submitting a renewal form to the AZBBHE. You can also renew online. The renewal fee is $325. To be eligible to renew you must attest to completing 30 hours of continuing education, including a three-hour tutorial on Arizona statutes and regulations, three hours in behavioral health ethics, and three hours in cultural competency and diversity. You can keep track of your continuing education on this form, and include it with your renewal form. How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Arizona?You can expect to invest a total of eight years into becoming fully licensed as an LPC. It will take you at least six years to fulfill the education requirement: four years to earn a bachelor’s degree and at least two additional years to earn a qualifying graduate degree in Counseling. From this point you can become licensed as an LAC and accrue an additional two years of supervised counseling experience to qualify for full LPC licensure. ReciprocityIf you’re a licensed LPC in another state and your state’s requirements for licensure are equivalent to Arizona’s then you can apply for an Arizona LPC license based on endorsement. Use this application to apply, and the application fee is $250. The AZBBHE also needs to receive the following in addition to the materials outlined in the step-by-step application process above:
On your application you can opt to obtain a one-year temporary license for $50. This will allow you to practice under supervision until your full LPC license application is approved. Practicums and InternshipsWhen you’re fulfilling the education requirement, your degree must include a supervised counseling practicum that’s 700 hours and includes 240 hours of direct client contact. CACREP-accredited programs are understood to automatically include this. If you’re fulfilling the education requirement with a doctoral degree and it includes a clinical internship, then up to one year of this can be credited towards fulfilling the LPC’s supervised work experience requirement. Required ExamsThere are three qualifying national counselor examinations that are recognized by the AZBBHE. Passing any one of these will qualify you for LAC licensure and subsequent LPC licensure:
You can register for your chosen exam through its sponsoring organization once the AZBBHE has notified them after approving your application for LAC licensure. All exams are taken on a computer. You can find more information about each exam by reviewing its associated guidebook:
Required Education and DegreesThe most direct way of fulfilling the education requirement for licensure as an LAC and subsequently as an LPC is to earn a graduate degree in Counseling from a program that’s at least 60 semester credits and accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Right now there are four schools in Arizona offering six graduate programs that are CACREP-accredited. These include:
Your degree program must include a qualifying supervised counseling practicum, and programs that are CACREP-accredited are understood to automatically include this. You can also fulfill the education requirement for licensure by earning a graduate degree in Counseling that’s at least 60 semester credits from a non-CACREP-accredited school, as long as it’s accredited by a regional body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you go this route then your degree must also include at least 24 credits total in the following subjects:
If your academic transcript is lacking in any of these areas then you can fill in any holes with additional post-graduate coursework. When qualifying with a non-CACREP-accredited degree you must ensure your program includes a qualifying supervised counseling practicum. The AZBBHE can also designate degree programs outside this context as fulfilling the education requirement for licensure. It maintains a list of self-designated qualifying education programs on this page of its website. Note that the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) merged with the CACREP in 2017. Salary InformationIn 2020 the US Department of Labor reported the following average annual salary statistics for a range of counseling careers, specifically for Arizona:
Types of Counseling CareersOf the counseling careers listed above, the US Department of Labor reports a total of 20,380 professionals employed throughout Arizona. Of those:
ResourcesArizona Counselors Association (AZCA) – Advocating for both counselors and students, this organization serves as the hub for professional counselors throughout the state. It maintains a directory of job opportunities, links for internships, provides trainings, sponsors annual events, and much more. Its roots stretch back to its founding in 1950. Arizona School Counselors Association (AzSCA) – This organization empowers school counselors to lead system change through support at the state and national level. It does this with legislative advocacy, through the provision of professional support for development, and by providing resources like annual networking events. Mental Health America (MHA) of Arizona – Promoting the mental health and well being of all residents through advocacy, education, and the shaping of public policy, this organization offers an annual conference, trainings, and plenty of opportunities to get involved in this field throughout the state. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Arizona – This organization is dedicated to ending the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses, and it sees education as the best way forward for accomplishing this. It serves as a resource for mental illnesses, in addition to hosting a peer leadership council along with annual events. Arizona Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors – As the state affiliate of the NAADAC, this organization offers resources relating to its own certification program and professional development. Its goal is to advance professionalism, policy, and services in this field. Career OpportunitiesArizona Department of Health Services (DHS) – This state-level department provides a range of important services for some of Arizona’s most vulnerable populations. These includes services aimed at promoting health, reducing addiction to drugs and alcohol, and providing assistance to those with mental and behavioral health issues. COPE Community Services – With nine clinics and centers distributed throughout the Tucson area, this organization is an important provider of a range of services from youth programs and medical treatments to behavioral health and therapy. It sees the value in integrating physical and mental healthcare. Friendship Community Mental Health Center – Founded in 1995, this Phoenix-based organization tailors its mental health services to children, adults, and seniors. It offers outpatient programs, intensive outpatient programs, and partial hospitalization programs. Interfaith Community Services – Serving the local community from three different Tucson office locations, this organization specializes in health advocacy, health education outreach, end of life care, and mental health. It has been fulfilling its mission to provide compassionate service since its founding in 1985. Terros Health – With 10 locations throughout the Phoenix area including two that are dedicated specifically to counseling, this healthcare company has been providing primary care services and specializing in mental health and substance abuse treatment since 1969. Is becoming a therapist worth it?A career in therapy can be an incredibly rewarding job for someone who likes to interact with and help people. Time spent helping people to lead more productive, functional and happier lives can be deeply satisfying.
What degree do most therapists have?Therapists typically specialize in a specific field, such as marriage and family therapy. Therapists hold at least a master's degree, while some choose to obtain a doctorate. If a therapist chooses to advertise their practice as “psychotherapy,” then they must be licensed in the state in which they intend to practice.
What skills are needed to become a therapist?Examples of therapist skills. Active listening skills. Active listening skills give therapists the ability to effectively and thoroughly listen to someone. ... . Communication skills. ... . Critical thinking skills. ... . Problem-solving skills. ... . Empathy skills. ... . Flexibility skills. ... . Use nonverbal communication. ... . Implement new techniques.. What do I need to be a therapist in Arizona?Steps Towards Counseling Licensure in Arizona. Earn a qualifying graduate degree in Counseling that includes a qualifying supervised counseling practicum.. Pass a qualifying national counseling examination.. Become an LAC and start accruing hours of supervised counseling work experience.. Apply to become licensed as an LPC.. |