Licensed Professional Counselor / Arizona
2026 data Arizona board official source

Arizona Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the Arizona data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Becoming a licensed licensed professional counselor in Arizona means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 3,332 training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Arizona regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

The initial price tag is $218, and renewal costs $177 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
23/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Arizona

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
3,332 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$218
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$89/yr
$177 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Arizona

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
3,332 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$218
Renewal Fee
$177
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Professional Counselor All Arizona licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Arizona licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona? ▼
In Arizona, the license path calls for 3332 education/training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and a $218 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona? ▼
Arizona licenses licensed professional counselors who complete its requirements (3332 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Arizona licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Arizona from another state? ▼
Licensed Professional Counselor licenses generally reciprocate as follows: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The Arizona licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Arizona require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the licensed professional counselor licensing process in Arizona. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona? ▼
Licensed licensed professional counselors in Arizona must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $177.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed professional counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Arizona licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.