Licensed Professional Counselor / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland 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 Maryland data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Maryland's path to licensed professional counselor licensure runs through 3,162 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. Maryland folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $186, with renewal running $153 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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
3,162 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$186
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$77/yr
$153 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 Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
3,162 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$186
Renewal Fee
$153
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 Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Maryland? ▼
Maryland requires 3162 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE), and an initial fee of $186. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Maryland? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in Maryland, you must meet the state's requirements including 3162 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Maryland licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Maryland 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 Maryland licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Maryland require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Maryland 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 Maryland? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed professional counselor in Maryland, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $153.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Maryland, 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 Maryland 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.