Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling
Credential Title(s)
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
- Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC)
- Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor (LPC-S)
* ALCs work under the supervision of LPCs while they gain the experience required to qualify for the LPC credential.
Educational Requirements
Master's degree or higher in counseling from a CACREP or CORE accredited program, or the content equivalent, with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 graduate quarter hours) from a regionally accredited academic institution. Beginning January 1, 2024, a master's degree in counseling is defined as a single conferred/awarded master’s degree in counseling from a CACREP accredited program, consisting of a minimum of sixty (60) graduate semester hours, or ninety (90) graduate quarter hours at a regionally accredited college or university. The master’s degree must contain and encompass the academic areas specified below in paragraph 2(b). No less than these hourly requirements and academic areas in a single program will be accepted.
The degree must include coursework in at least 11 core areas:
1. Counseling Theory
2. Human Growth and Development
3. Social and Multicultural Foundations
4. The Helping Relationship
5. Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling
6. Lifestyle and Career Development
7. Appraisal of Individuals
8. Research and Evaluation
9. Professional Orientation
10. Practicum
11. Internship
Licensing Exam Required
LPC: National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Once NCE is passed, counselors go from ALC to LPC.
Students graduating from the Wheaton College CMHC CACREP accredited program meets the requirements in this state as of July 21st, 2024.