Licensed Professional Counselor / Iowa
2026 data Iowa board official source

Iowa 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 Iowa data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

To practice as a licensed professional counselor in Iowa, the state licensing board requires 2,689 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Iowa's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $96, with renewal running $86 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
38/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Iowa

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
2,689 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$96
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C+
$43/yr
$86 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 Iowa

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,689 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$96
Renewal Fee
$86
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 Iowa licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Iowa licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Iowa? ▼
In Iowa, the license path calls for 2689 education/training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and a $96 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Iowa? ▼
Iowa licenses licensed professional counselors who complete its requirements (2689 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Iowa licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Iowa from another state? ▼
For licensed professional counselors, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Iowa licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Iowa require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Iowa does require a background check before issuing a licensed professional counselor license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Iowa? ▼
Iowa ties continued licensed professional counselor licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $86 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

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

  • See how Iowa's licensed professional counselor requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Licensed Professional Counselor in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state licensed professional counselor license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Iowa's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Iowa overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Iowa 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.