ILLINOIS LICENSURE LPC & LCPC Created Spring 2016 by the Counselor Education Student Association (CESA). This workshop is not intended to substitute for reading Counselor Licensure Law and Rules

The State is Responsible for Licensure Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Counseling application found at: Site information: License Requirements New Applications Renewals Address Changes License Search

Levels of Licensure LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor 1 st level of licensure which can be applied for after Master’s Degree. Can not practice independently. LCPC: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Advanced level of licensure which can be applied for after 2 years of full-time clinical experience and supervision by licensed professional (i.e., LCPC, Psychologist, LCSW, Psychiatrist). May own a private practice and apply to insurance panels after achieving LCPC.

LPC Requirements ACADEMIC: NEIU’s Clinical, Family, School, and Rehabilitation tracks are all CACREP or CORE Accredited –our programs automatically meet academic requirement in Illinois. EXAMINATION: The National Counselor Exam (NCE) can be taken at NEIU in your last year of study (Rehabilitation CRCE also qualifies). APPLICATION: Application submitted to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).

Educational Requirements Illinois License – LPC/LCPCNEIU – Counselor Education Human Growth and DevelopmentCOUN 402 Developmental Counseling Counseling TheoryCOUN 403 Theories of Counseling Counseling TechniquesCOUN 405 Individual Counseling Skills Group Dynamics, Processing and CounselingCOUN 406 Group Counseling Appraisal of IndividualsCOUN 404 Assessment and Evaluation in Counseling Research and EvaluationCOUN 408 Research Seminar Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Relating to Professional Counseling, Including Illinois Law COUN 401 Professional Orientation and Legal/Ethical Practices Social and Cultural FoundationsCOUN 430 Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling Lifestyle and Career DevelopmentCOUN 409 Career Development Practicum/InternshipCOUN Practicum/Internships I and II Psychopathology and Maladaptive BehaviorCOUN 427 Diagnostic Systems for Counseling Substance AbuseCOUN 425 Addictions Counseling Family DynamicsCOUN 415 Children & Youth in School and Family Systems Or COUN 420 Introduction to Family Counseling

NCE Exam National Counselor Examination: 200 multiple choice questions As a Student: The NCE is offered in April and October. Counselor Education informs students of registration procedures through its departmental listserv several months prior to exam date. (If you are planning to graduate in August, you may still take the October exam at NEIU if you register in April.) If you do not take the exam at NEIU: you may apply to the state for LPC license without exam after graduation, then wait for state approval (8 more weeks) to register for the exam at a testing site.

Application if you HAVE passed NCE (follow instructions for the method Acceptance of Examination) Application for Licensure and/or Examination (4 pgs.) Supporting Document CCA (Criminal Acts) Required. Copy of your NCC certification (mailed to you by NBCC) ED (Certification of Education) Document completed by NEIU (see Dona Wisniewski) with official school seal affixed. Verification of NCE scores (requested by you and sent to the State from NBCC) $150 fee You will receive license approximately 8 weeks after all paperwork received by state.

Requesting NCC Certification & NCE Scores Send official transcript with degree conferred date to NBCC by mail or through secure electronic submission to to receive NCC To send scores to the State, you will need to order an official copy of your score verification through NBCCs ProCounselor online store.

Application WITHOUT having NCE (Follow instructions for the method Application for Examination) Application for Licensure and/or Examination (4 pgs.) Supporting Document CCA (Criminal Acts) Your application will not be processed without completion of this form. ED (Certification of Education) Document completed by NEIU (see Dona M. Wisniewski) with official school seal affixed. $150 fee You will receive approval to register for NCE exam in approximately 8 weeks.

Typical Timeline Graduation Date mid-August Transcript with degree conferred available from NEIU – 4 weeks later NBCC release of test scores – approximately 8 weeks later (expedited is approximately 1 week) State processes application – approximately 8 weeks later Licensure achieved – depends on staying on top of paperwork! Typical: December/January Paying extra for expedited scores from NBCC: November

You Have Your LPC!

Renewals Licenses renew every 2 years. March 31 in odd years…2017, 2019 You do not need Continuing Education CE’s at first renewal 30 CE’s required every 2 years (half may be online CE’s) Earn CE’s at conferences, workshops, professional associations, university courses Make sure your is up to date with the state so you receive renewal notice

LCPC Requirements EXPERIENCE: In 2 or more years: 3,360 Supervised Clinical Hours with 1,920 (approximately 60%) Face-t0-face direct counseling. EXAMINATION: The NCMHE National Clinical Mental Health Exam must be taken in addition to the NCE Exam previously taken. (Rehabilitation – CRCE). APPLICATION: Application goes to Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) with $150 fee.

Experience for LCPC Supervised paid experience counts starting the date all degree courses are completed. Supervised volunteer experience counts if done while LPC licensed. Your experience must be done in no less than 2 years, but there is no maximum limit. You can earn hours at any number of work locations.

Supervision Requirements Clinical supervisor must be LCPC, LCSW, licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist One hour each week of individual or group supervision (maximum of 5 per group). Live face to face supervision which does not include mail, , telefax or phone. A qualified supervisor may be provided at the applicant's place of work or may be hired by the applicant to provide supervision. Finding Supervisors: Try faculty, alumni, professional associations, Supervisor fills out the Verification of Work Experience form.

Breakdown of Hours TOTAL over 2 or more years: 3,360 Clinical Hours with 1,920 face-to-face counseling Annual (if done in 2 years) 1,680 Clinical Hours with 960 face-to-face counseling Weekly (if done in 2 years, 48 weeks/year) 35 Clinical Hours with 20 face-t0-face counseling

Tracking Experience Track categories needed for Licensure Experience Form : Get supervisor to sign off on experience sheets periodically Counseling/Psychotherapy (Individual, Couples, Families, Groups, Organizations) Research/Publication Assessment and Evaluation Case Management Consultation Supervision Administration Teaching Professional Development

NCMHCE Exam National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam Must submit application to state and wait for approval to register for exam Fee Take at testing center More clinical than NCE: Measures problem-solving abilities including identifying, analyzing, diagnosing and treating clinical mental health problems. Multiple choice questions on 10 cases.

You Have Your LCPC!

Licensure Portability Under discussion with ACA, but none at this time. You must meet the specific licensure requirements of any state in which you want to practice. Levels of licensure can have different acronyms in different states. For example the advanced level of licensure is called LPC in some states and requires the work experience of our LCPC’s. The 2016 state requirements for all states can be found here:

Stay up to date Keep COPIES of all documents submitted for licensure! Never practice without malpractice insurance. Your student malpractice insurance ends on your internship contract end date. Make sure you have your professional liability insurance in place. Keep up to date on changes in laws, rules, and ethics Continue your professional development

Questions?