Licensure is issued by a state. It defines what one can and can’t do in a particular career field and lays out the qualifications needed to practice a profession within that state. In Missouri, Counselors earn the Licensed Professional Counselor designation (LPC). This license allows one to practice as a Counselor (in his or her area(s) of specialization) within the state without supervision.
In Kansas, an individual can become either a Licensed Professional Counselor or a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). However, to practice without supervision in Kansas, one currently needs to acquire the LCPC.
Licensure is earned after a person has obtained a Masters, Specialist, or Doctoral degree in Counseling or a related field and has successfully completed approximately two years of supervised experience under a Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Psychologist, or Psychiatrist.
Having a license greatly enhances one’s professional opportunities within the field. Without it, options can be fairly limited. However, each state is much like a separate country in that it has its own regulations, requirements, and statutes.
For more details regarding licensure in Missouri, go to pr.mo.gov/counselors.asp
For Kansas licensure requirements, go to www.ksbsrb.org/
