Licensed Professional Counselor / Wisconsin
2026 data Wisconsin board official source

Wisconsin Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the Wisconsin data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

Becoming a licensed licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,824 training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Wisconsin regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

The initial price tag is $122, and renewal costs $105 every 2 years. 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
33/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · Wisconsin

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
2,824 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$122
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden C-
$53/yr
$105 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 Wisconsin

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,824 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$122
Renewal Fee
$105
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 Wisconsin licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Wisconsin licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin? ▼
Wisconsin's requirements cover 2824 hours of education or training, the NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE exam, and an initial fee of $122. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin, you must meet the state's requirements including 2824 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Wisconsin licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Wisconsin require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed professional counselor licensing in Wisconsin. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin? ▼
Licensed licensed professional counselors in Wisconsin must complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. The renewal fee is $105.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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.