Licensed Professional Counselor / Connecticut
2026 data Connecticut board official source

Connecticut Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the Connecticut data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Connecticut's path to licensed professional counselor licensure runs through 3,176 hours of approved instruction, 2 years of supervised work experience, and a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Connecticut folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $188, with renewal running $155 on a 2-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 30-hour continuing-education requirement per 2-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For licensed professional counselors, the reciprocity picture is: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
25/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Connecticut

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
3,176 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$188
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$78/yr
$155 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 Connecticut

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
3,176 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$188
Renewal Fee
$155
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 Connecticut licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Connecticut licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut? ▼
Connecticut requires 3176 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE), and an initial fee of $188. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut? ▼
Certification as a licensed professional counselor in Connecticut means clearing the state's checklist: 3176 hours of education plus 2 years of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Connecticut licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Connecticut from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for licensed professional counselors: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Connecticut licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Connecticut require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Yes, Connecticut requires a criminal background check as part of the licensed professional counselor licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut? ▼
Connecticut ties continued licensed professional counselor licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $155 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut, 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 Connecticut 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.