Licensed Professional Counselor / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri 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 Missouri data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

To practice as a licensed professional counselor in Missouri, the state licensing board requires 2,838 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 Missouri's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $124, with renewal running $107 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
33/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Missouri

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
2,838 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$124
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$54/yr
$107 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 Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,838 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$124
Renewal Fee
$107
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 Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri? ▼
In Missouri, the license path calls for 2838 education/training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and a $124 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in Missouri, you must meet the state's requirements including 2838 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Missouri licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Missouri 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 Missouri licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Missouri require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Yes, Missouri 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 Missouri? ▼
Licensed licensed professional counselors in Missouri must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $107.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri, 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 Missouri 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.