How to Get Licensed as a Professional Counselor in Virginia: A Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking about a career where you can make a real impact? Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia is one of the most rewarding paths you can take if you're passionate about helping others navigate life's challenges. Whether you're a recent graduate or looking for jobs in Virginia Department of Education, understanding the licensure process is key to getting started the right way.

Here’s your complete, no-stress guide to becoming an LPC in the state of Virginia — from choosing the right education program to landing your first job.

Step 1: Start With the Right Master's Degree

Before anything else, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in counseling or a related field.

This isn’t just a checkbox — this is where your foundation gets built. The Virginia Board of Counseling requires that your degree:

• Includes at least 60 semester credit hours (this usually means a 2–3 year program),

• Comes from a regionally accredited institution, and ideally,

• It is accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) — this isn’t mandatory, but it smooths the licensing process and ensures your coursework aligns with Virginia’s requirements.

What should your coursework include? Expect to cover a wide range of subjects such as:

• Counseling and psychotherapy techniques

• Human growth and development

• Multicultural counseling

• Diagnosis and treatment planning

• Professional identity and ethics

• Group dynamics

• Career counseling

• Substance abuse and addictions

This isn’t just theory — you’ll learn practical strategies for helping people manage mental health challenges, trauma, stress, relationships, and much more.

Step 2: Complete a Supervised Clinical Internship

As part of your master’s program, you must complete at least 600 hours of internship experience. Of those hours, 240 must involve direct client contact — working face-to-face with individuals, families, or groups under the supervision of a licensed counselor.

This is where you start to put everything you've learned into practice. You'll begin building your clinical confidence, learning how to apply theories in real-world settings, and receiving feedback that helps you grow.

Step 3: Apply to Become a Resident in Counseling

Once you've graduated, it’s time to apply for Residency in Counseling with the Virginia Board of Counseling. Think of this as a “professional training license” — it allows you to work under supervision while completing your post-master’s requirements.

To apply, you’ll need:

• Your official transcripts

• Proof of your internship

• A supervision contract with a board-approved LPC supervisor

• Your completed application and fee

Once approved, you're officially a Resident in Counseling in Virginia!

Step 4: Complete Your Residency Hours

This is where the real growth happens. As a resident, you’re required to accumulate:

• 3,400 hours of supervised experience over a minimum of 21 months

• At least 2,000 of those hours must involve direct client contact

• Plus, you’ll need 200 hours of face-to-face supervision, with at least half being individual supervision

This phase is your chance to develop a professional identity, hone your counseling style, and handle a variety of client issues with guidance from a seasoned mentor. It's intense, but it's also where many counselors find their stride.

Step 5: Pass the National Licensing Exam

Before you can officially apply for LPC licensure, you’ll need to pass one of the following exams administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC):

• The National Counselor Examination (NCE), or

• The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

These exams test your theoretical knowledge, ethics, and applied counseling skills. Many residents find it helpful to use study guides, take prep courses, or join study groups to boost their confidence before test day.

Step 6: Apply for Your LPC License

After you’ve completed your residency and passed your exam, you can apply for full licensure. Your application must include:

• Verification of supervised hours

• Proof of passing your NBCC exam

• Final transcripts and program documentation

• A completed licensure application and applicable fee

Once your application is approved, congratulations! You’re officially a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia.

Bonus Tip: Get Experience Where It Matters

If your dream is to work in schools or educational settings, getting specialized training in school counseling can give you a serious edge. Not only do you learn to support students academically and emotionally, but you also become a valuable part of shaping future generations.

Ready to Launch Your Counseling Career? CIEES Can Help!

Getting licensed is a big milestone, but landing the right job is just as important. That’s where CIEES comes in. Whether you're looking for a school counseling position, need help to get Virginia Department of Education Licensure, or want access to jobs across Virginia, CIEES is your go-to resource. They specialize in placing qualified professionals like you in rewarding educational environments.

Don’t just get licensed — get hired. Contact CIEES today to take the next step in your counseling journey. Your future clients are out there waiting for you — let’s help you meet them.