Counseling License Requirements in Pennsylvania
- Licensure Requirements
- How Long Does it Take?
- Out-of-State Licensing
- Licensing Renewal
- Salary Expectations
- Professional Organizations
- FAQ
Counselors and therapists are in demand in Pennsylvania. Projections Central projects a 15% increase in employment for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors during 2022-2032, and a 10% increase for marriage and family therapists.
Explore this page to learn more about Pennsylvania counseling licensure requirements and potential salaries.
Pennsylvania Counselor Licensure Requirements
Pennsylvania issues three types of counseling licenses: licensed professional counselor (LPC), marriage and family therapist (MFT), and school counselor. All license types require at least a master’s degree in counseling or related fields.
The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors oversees LPC and MFT licensing, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education credentials school counselors.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Pennsylvania licensure requirements for LPCs include:
- Passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE)
- Master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution
- Post-graduate supervised clinical experience: 3,000 hours for master’s degree holders and 2,400 hours for doctorate holders
- $100 application fee
Applicants must provide services in one or more of the following areas during at least half of the required post-graduate supervised clinical experience hours: assessment, counseling, therapy, psychotherapy, therapeutic interventions, consultation, family therapy, and group therapy.
Closely related fields for master’s and doctoral degrees include child development and family studies, counseling education, human services, psychology, social work, and more.
Marriage and Family Therapist
Pennsylvania licensure requirements for MFTs include:
- At least a master’s in marriage and family therapy or a related field from an accredited institution
- Supervised clinical experience: 3,000 hours for master’s degree holders and 2,400 hours for doctorate holders
- Passing score on the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards’ (AMFTRB) National MFT Examination
- $100 application fee
At least half of the supervised clinical experience hours must include providing services in assessment, couples therapy, family therapy, systems interventions, consultation, individual therapy, and group therapy.
Related fields for master’s and doctoral degrees are the same as for LPCs.
School Counselor
Pennsylvania certification requirements for school counselors include
- Master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited institution that includes internship and practicum experiences
- 420 hours of supervised field experience
- Passing score on the Praxis school counselor exam
- Background check
- $200 application fee
School counselors can earn certification in elementary (K-6) or secondary (PK-12 or 7-12).
Field experience must include instructional experience and 70 hours of elementary-level or 75 hours of secondary-level direct services to individuals and groups, including classroom guidance, individual and small group counseling, and systemic advocacy interventions.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Pennsylvania?
You can expect to spend 7-9 years becoming a counselor in Pennsylvania, including earning your degrees, completing postgraduate supervised training, and passing the applicable examination.
The first step toward becoming a counselor entails earning a bachelor’s degree, which generally takes four years. The second step is completing a master’s degree in the field in which you want to practice, e.g., mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or school counseling. A master’s takes 2-3 years to complete.
Professional counselor and marriage and family therapist licensure requires two years of post-degree supervised experience for master’s degree holders. School counselor certification also requires post-master’s supervised training, which can take about six months. You’ll also need time to study for and take the appropriate exam for your license or certification.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors offer licensure by endorsement to professional counselors and marriage and family therapists holding active licenses in good standing from other states. The Board also allows license portability for LPCs and MFTs licensed and practicing in other states with substantially equivalent licensure requirements.
The Pennsylvania Board of Education details pathways for out-of-state certified school counselors with credentials comparable to Pennsylvania certification, state certifications from other states and two years of experience, and graduates of out-of-state approved preparation programs.
How to Renew a Counseling License in Pennsylvania
LPCs and MFTs renew their licenses every two years. The initial licensure renewal requires three hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting. Subsequent renewal periods require 30 hours of continuing education coursework during each renewal period.
The 30 hours must include three hours of ethics, two hours of child abuse reporter training, and one hour of suicide prevention content. The license renewal fee is $95.
School counselor certification expires on November 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewal required 30 hours of continuing education, including three hours of ethics, two hours of child abuse recognition and reporting, and one hour of suicide prevention. School counselors pay a $300 renewal fee.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), educational, guidance, and career counselors earn the highest average salary of $68,510 in Pennsylvania, followed by MFTs, and substance use, behavioral, and mental health counselors.
The Philadelphia metropolitan area offers particularly high salaries for marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors, reaching annual averages of $80,740 and $59,750, respectively.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $32.94 | $68,510 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $31.32 | $65,150 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $24.07 | $50,060 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $26.97 | $56,090 |
| Counselors, All Other | $26.86 | $55,870 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA)
A state chapter of the American Counseling Association, PCA offers three regional chapters, advocacy, education, and networking for licensed counselors and counselors-in-training. New members receive 50% off their membership application.
Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA)
The PSCA has memberships for professionals, associates, students, and retirees. It includes professional development, online resources, an annual conference, legislative advocacy, and representation.
Pennsylvania Association of Addiction Professionals (PAAP)
As an affiliate of the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals, PAAP benefits members with certification, training resources, education, a career center, and advocacy. Members also receive discounted professional liability insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure
Yes. Pennsylvania law prohibits the independent practice of marriage and family therapy and professional counseling without a license. Additionally, school counselors must hold certification to practice in a school setting.
