Licensed Professional Counselor / Texas
2026 data Texas board official source

Texas 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 Texas data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Texas sets the entry bar for licensed professional counselors at 3,027 training hours and a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, with 2 years of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Texas's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Budget $160 to get started, plus $134 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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
3,027 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$160
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$67/yr
$134 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 Texas

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
3,027 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$160
Renewal Fee
$134
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 Texas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Texas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas? ▼
Texas requires 3027 education/training hours, passing an exam (NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE), and an initial fee of $160. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas? ▼
Texas licenses licensed professional counselors who complete its requirements (3027 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Texas licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Texas 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 Texas licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does Texas require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed professional counselor licensing in Texas. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed professional counselor in Texas, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $134.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

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

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

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