The Process to Licensure
This page is intended to help you know what to expect as you work towards being fully licensed.
1. PASS THE NCE
You do not need to have all your hours collected before taking the NCE. In fact, it's better to take it well ahead of you getting all your hours, as scheduling the NCE can sometimes be backlogged. For some, it has taken upwards of two months to take the test from time of scheduling. You don't want this to delay your ability to be fully licensed.
2. COORDINATE CARE WITH CLIENTS
Your licensure application could be processed quickly (see stp 3), so before you apply, you should begin discussing this process with clients to identify a plan for continuation of care. This could include talking with them about their insurance coverage, which might be disrupted. You might also be referring them out to a new clinician, so effort should be made ahead of time for a smooth "warm handoff."
3. APPLY FOR YOUR LMHC
To become independently licensed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor you need to achieve and complete the following:
Once completed, you can apply through the DOH here: LMHC Application WA State
As part of the process, you will need to gather documentation from each supervisor.
The application has specific forms that you will need to fill out for each supervisor and then email for them to sign.
- 3,000 hours of experience, or 36 months of full time (whichever comes first)
- 1,200 direct client contact (individuals, couples, families, or groups)
- 100 hours of immediate supervision (with up to one other associate)
- 1,700 hours of other assorted hours (hours spent on development such as reading, progress notes, phone calls... anything that adds to you being a better therapist)
- 36 hours of continuing education, with six hours in professional ethics
- If your degree is CACREP accredited, you will be credited 50 supervision hours and 500 direct contact hours
Once completed, you can apply through the DOH here: LMHC Application WA State
As part of the process, you will need to gather documentation from each supervisor.
The application has specific forms that you will need to fill out for each supervisor and then email for them to sign.
- Approved Supervisor Credential - This ensures that each supervisor is a WA State Approved Clinical Supervisor
- Verification of Mental Health Counselor Supervised Postgraduate Experience - This documents all your direct client hours, supervision hours, and "other" hours that you gained under each supervisor. Your supervisors must directly email or mail this form in - you cannot do this yourself. You will receive instructions on how to do this once you submit your application.
3. WAIT FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE PROCESSED
It can take 2 days (yes, only 2 days!) to 2 months for your application to be processed. During this time, I will still be supervising you and you can continue to see your clients under my insurance contracts.
Due to the unpredictable timeline, this is why it's recommended that you identify a care plan for each client before submitting your application.
Due to the unpredictable timeline, this is why it's recommended that you identify a care plan for each client before submitting your application.
4. LICENSE IN HAND!
Once you get your license, you will need to transition out of supervision. At this time, you can continue billing under my contracts for certain insurances, but only if you begin your own process of credentialing with them.
5. TRANSFER CLIENT DATA AND APPLY FOR YOUR OWN INSURANCE CONTRACTS
These steps are dependent on choices that you make about your own practice as a fully-licensed clinician. You'll decide on what type of therapy software you want to use (such as SimplePractice of TherapyNotes) and what insurance contracts you want to establish on your own (if any). You'll also need to consider if you want to hire an insurance biller. When under my supervision, I'll offer several options of reputable billers for you to choose from.
