Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in the USA: 2025 Guide

American Mental Health Counsellors Association (AMHCA)

Website: https://www.amhca.org/

Phone: +1 (703) 548-6002

Role: Professional association for mental health counsellors (NOT regulatory)

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STATE-BY-STATE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST (Doctoral Level)

Regulatory Authority: Individual State Psychology Licensing Boards

Protected Title: "Licensed Psychologist", "Psychologist"

Education Requirements: Doctoral degree (PhD, Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BY STATE:

Alabama

Regulatory Body: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Website: https://www.psychology.alabama.gov/

Phone: (334) 242-4127

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2 years supervised experience (4,000 hours)
• EPPP examination
• Alabama jurisprudence exam
  

Alaska

Regulatory Body: Alaska Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners

Website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofPsychologistandPsychologicalAssociateExaminers.aspx

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 4,000 hours supervised experience
• EPPP examination
• Alaska jurisprudence exam
  

Arizona

Regulatory Body: Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners

Website: https://psychboard.az.gov/

Phone: (602) 542-8162

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 3,000 hours supervised experience
• EPPP examination
• Arizona jurisprudence exam
  

Arkansas

Regulatory Body: Arkansas Board of Examiners in Psychology

Website: https://www.arkansas.gov/abep/

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2 years supervised experience
• EPPP examination
• Arkansas jurisprudence exam
  

California

Regulatory Body: California Board of Psychology

Website: https://www.psychology.ca.gov/

Phone: (916) 574-7720

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 3,000 hours supervised professional experience
• EPPP examination
• California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination

Colorado

Regulatory Body: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies - Mental Health Section

Website: https://dpo.colorado.gov/MentalHealth

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2,000 hours supervised experience
• EPPP examination
• Colorado jurisprudence exam
  

Connecticut

Regulatory Body: Connecticut Department of Public Health

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Public-Health-Hearing-Office/Practitioner-Licensing--Investigations/Psychology

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2 years supervised experience
• EPPP examination
  

Delaware

Regulatory Body: Delaware Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals

Website: https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/mentalhealth/

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2 years supervised experience
• EPPP examination

Florida

Regulatory Body: Florida Board of Psychology

Website: https://floridaspsychology.gov/

Phone: (850) 245-4474

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2 years supervised experience (4,000 hours)
• EPPP examination
• Florida Laws and Rules Examination
  

Georgia

Regulatory Body: Georgia Board of Psychology

Website: https://sos.ga.gov/PLB/psychology

Requirements:

• Doctoral degree in psychology
• 2 years supervised experience
• EPPP examination
• Georgia jurisprudence exam

PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR LICENSING (State-by-State)

LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR (LPC) VARIATIONS

Common Titles by State:

• LPC (Licensed Professional Counsellor): Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, etc.
• LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor): California, Ohio
• LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counsellor): Illinois, Maryland
• LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counsellor): Florida, New York, Washington
• LCC (Licensed Clinical Counsellor): Kansas
• LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counsellor): North Carolina
  

Texas - Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC)

Regulatory Body: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counsellors

Website: https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-professional-counselors/index.html

Requirements:

• Master's degree in counselling or related field (60 credit hours)
• 4,000 hours supervised experience (2 years)
• National Counsellor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counselling Examination (NCMHCE)
• Texas jurisprudence exam
  

California - Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor (LPCC)

Regulatory Body: California Board of Behavioural Sciences

Website: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/

Phone: (916) 574-7830

Requirements:

• Master's degree in counselling (60 semester units)
• 4,000 hours supervised professional experience
• National Clinical Mental Health Counselling Examination (NCMHCE)
• California Law and Ethics Examination

New York - Licensed Mental Health Counsellor (LMHC)

Regulatory Body: New York State Education Department

Website: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mhp/mhclic.htm

Requirements:

• Master's degree in mental health counselling (60 credit hours)
• 3,000 hours supervised experience
• National Clinical Mental Health Counselling Examination (NCMHCE)
• New York State examination
  

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MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST LICENSING

LICENSED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST (LMFT)

California - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Regulatory Body: California Board of Behavioural Sciences

Website: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/

Requirements:

• Master's degree in marriage and family therapy or related field
• 4,000 hours supervised professional experience
• 500 hours face-to-face experience with couples, families, or children
• California Law and Ethics Examination
• National MFT Examination
  

Texas - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Regulatory Body: Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists

Website: https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-marriage-and-family-therapists/index.html

Requirements:

• Master's degree in marriage and family therapy
• 4,000 hours supervised experience
• 1,000 hours direct client contact with couples and families
• National MFT Examination
• Texas jurisprudence exam
  

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CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER LICENSING

LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER (LCSW)

New York - Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Regulatory Body: New York State Education Department

Website: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/sw/

Requirements:

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) from CSWE-accredited program
• 3,000 hours supervised clinical experience
• ASWB Clinical Level Examination
• New York State examination
  

California - Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Regulatory Body: California Board of Behavioural Sciences

Website: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/

Requirements:

• Master's degree in social work from CSWE-accredited program
• 3,200 hours supervised professional experience
• ASWB Clinical Level Examination
• California Law and Ethics Examination
  

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SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR LICENSING

Various State Titles:

• LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counsellor): Texas
• LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counsellor): Various states
• CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor): Various states
• CSAC (Certified Substance Abuse Counsellor): Various states
  

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PSYCHIATRIST LICENSING

Regulatory Authority: State Medical Boards

Protected Title: "Psychiatrist"

Requirements:

• Medical degree (M.D. or D.O.)
• Medical residency in psychiatry (4 years)
• Medical license in state of practice
• Board certification (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology)
  

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VERIFICATION PROCEDURES

Psychology License Verification:

• Identify State: Determine state where practitioner claims licensure
• Access State Board Website: Visit specific state psychology board website
• License Lookup: Use online license verification system
• Verify Details: Confirm name, license number, status, and any restrictions
• Check Expiration: Ensure license is current and not expired
  

Counsellor License Verification:

• Identify Licensing Body: Determine appropriate state board (varies by profession)
• Access Verification System: Use state-specific online lookup
• Verify Credentials: Confirm education, supervision, and examination requirements met
• Check Status: Ensure license is active and in good standing

ASPPB Psychology Mobility:

• Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT): Allows practice across participating states
• Participating States: Check ASPPB website for current list
• Verification: Confirm practitioner's home state license and PSYPACT eligibility
  

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RED FLAGS AND WARNING SIGNS

Immediate Red Flags:

• Use of "psychologist" title without a doctoral degree and state licensure
• Claims of licensure that cannot be verified through state boards
• Expired or suspended licenses
• Practice across state lines without proper authorisation
• Confusion between professional association membership and state licensure
• Services offered outside scope of license
  

Legal Violations:

• Using protected titles without proper licensure is illegal in all states
• Practising without a license is a criminal offence
• Misrepresenting credentials constitutes fraud
  

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INTERSTATE PRACTICE CONSIDERATIONS

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT)

Participating States: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin

Requirements: Home state license in good standing, meet compact eligibility requirements

Verification: Check with home state board and receiving state

Telehealth Considerations:

• State Requirements: Must be licensed in state where client is located
• Interstate Compacts: Some professions have interstate practice agreements
• Federal Guidelines: Follow HIPAA and other federal requirements

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COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

State Board Complaints:

• Identify Appropriate Board: Contact licensing board in state where practitioner is licensed
• File Complaint: Submit a written complaint with supporting documentation
• Investigation Process: Board investigates and determines appropriate action
• Disciplinary Actions: Can include license suspension, revocation, or conditions
  

Professional Association Complaints:

• APA Ethics Committee: For APA members only
• Other Associations: Each has its own ethics procedures
• Note: Professional associations cannot revoke state licenses
  

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IMPORTANT LEGAL DISTINCTIONS

Licensing vs. Certification:

• State Licensure: Legal requirement to practice, protects title and scope
• Board Certification: Voluntary speciality recognition (e.g., ABPP)
• Professional Association Membership: Voluntary, does not authorise practice
  

Scope of Practice Variations:

• Prescription Privileges: Only available to psychologists in New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho (with additional training)
• Diagnostic Authority: Varies by state and profession
• Supervision Requirements: Differ by state and license type
  

SOURCES AND VERIFICATION

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)

American Counselling Association (ACA)

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

PSYPACT (Psychology)

Counseling Compact

APA Services, Inc.

Note: This comprehensive guide provides state-by-state information for verifying mental health professional credentials and understanding the complex regulatory landscape in the United States.