Licensed Professional Counselor / Ohio
2026 data Ohio board official source

Ohio Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the Ohio data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Ohio's path to licensed professional counselor licensure runs through 3,014 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. Ohio folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Budget $158 to get started, plus $132 at each renewal 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.

On reciprocity, licensed professional counselors should know: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
28/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Ohio

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
3,014 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$158
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$66/yr
$132 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 Ohio

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
3,014 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$158
Renewal Fee
$132
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 Ohio licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Ohio licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio? ▼
Ohio requires 3014 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE), and an initial fee of $158. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in Ohio, you must meet the state's requirements including 3014 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Ohio licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Ohio 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 Ohio licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Ohio require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the licensed professional counselor licensing process in Ohio. 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 Ohio? ▼
Ohio ties continued licensed professional counselor licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $132 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

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

  • See how Ohio'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 Ohio's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Ohio overview

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