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Alabama Counseling License Requirements

In Alabama, nearly 7,700 people are employed as professional counselors as of May 2021, with the highest number working as educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors (3,830).1-5 Alabama requires licensure to practice most types of counseling through boards such as the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, and the application process typically involves obtaining a master’s degree, gaining supervised experience, and passing an exam. Continue reading for more information about the licensure of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and other types of counselors in Alabama.

Table of Contents

How to Become a Counselor in Alabama
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensing Process
Additional Counseling Careers and Licenses in Alabama
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
School Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor
Other Professional Counseling Careers
Alabama Counseling Career and Salary Information
Counseling Associations in Alabama
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Become a Counselor in Alabama

Alabama requires most professional counselors to be licensed before practicing. Licensure usually starts with a master’s degree in counseling at a regionally-accredited college or university. There are many accredited schools in Alabama that offer counseling programs. This educational requirement is typically followed by a certain number of hours of professional supervised experience. After these requirements have been fulfilled and the national test has been passed, applicants can complete the rest of the licensure process. If you already hold a license in another state and are looking to practice in Alabama, visit our Counseling License Reciprocity Guide.

1. Decide which area of counseling to pursue.

Since there are many different types of counseling within the field, the first step to becoming a counselor in Alabama should be to decide which area you would like to focus on. It is helpful to consider whether you prefer working with a certain type of clientele (e.g., students, people with mental illnesses, or couples) or if you want to address certain issues with your counseling work (e.g., relationship problems, mental health issues, addictions). Once you have a more solid idea of the type of counselor you want to be, you can move on to the next step of earning your degree.

2. Earn the degree(s) required for your counseling practice area.

Most types of licensure in Alabama require a master’s degree in counseling, but you should research the type of licensure you are targeting so that you understand the degree requirements for that area of counseling. In Alabama, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and school counselors are required to complete a master’s degree in counseling to become licensed. There is currently no certification required for substance abuse counselors working independently in Alabama, though most are licensed as LPCs or licensed social workers (LSWs), designations that usually require a master’s degree in a related field.

3. Get licensed to practice counseling in Alabama.

Once you have your master’s degree in professional counseling, you can submit your application to the Board, get permission to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification, gain the necessary experience, and finally, receive your counselor license to practice in Alabama. The Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (the Board) licenses ALCs and LPCs, while the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy (the Board) oversees marriage and family counseling licenses, the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) oversees school counselors, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) governs substance abuse counselors in the state.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensing Process

The Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC or the Board) oversees the licensure process in the state. To become a professional counselor in Alabama, you must complete a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school of at least 60 semester hours, with coursework in specific content areas such as counseling theory, the helping relationship, lifestyle and career development, social and multicultural foundations, and group dynamics. You can read more about these content areas on the Board’s website. Starting in 2024, the master’s degree must be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and consist of at least 60 graduate semester hours and include coursework in the same content areas. You will first need to become an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC) before you can begin accruing the supervised experience required to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). In Alabama, LPCs can render professional counseling services privately to individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, institutions, government agencies, or the general public. For more on what an LPC does, read our professional counselor career guide.

1. Apply to become an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC).

The first step to becoming an LPC in Alabama after you have completed your required graduate degree in counseling is to apply to become an ALC. Along with the ALC Initial License Application, you must include official transcripts of graduate coursework and a Proposed Plan of Supervision. Once the Proposed Plan of Supervision has been approved, the ALC license will be issued and a fee of $200 (as of October 2022) will be due to the Board.

2. Accrue supervised experience.

Once you have been approved to become an ALC, you will be able to begin accruing the 3,000 supervised hours of experience needed to become a full LPC. 2,250 hours should be direct counseling services with individuals, couples, families, or groups and the remaining 750 hours can be indirect counseling services such as administration and documentation. For every 15 graduate hours in counseling obtained beyond the master’s degree, applicants can subtract 1,000 hours of experience and the allocation of the remaining hours will be altered. The supervision must be performed by the LPC identified on the Proposed Plan of Supervision.

3. Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification.

Once you have submitted your application to become an ALC and proven that the academic requirement has been met, the Board will authorize your registration for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) and notify you of the required associated payment ($275 in October 2022). An NCE Handbook is available to prepare you for the 200-question multiple-choice exam that assesses your knowledge of various counseling content areas. The test can be taken before, during, or after accruing the supervised experience. Test scores should be sent directly to the Board.

4. Submit a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Initial License Application (from ALC).

After you have completed the required supervised experience and passed the NCE, applicants will submit an application to convert their ALC license to an LPC license. The application fee is $200 as of October 2022.

5. Receive your LPC license.

Once all of the above requirements have been met, the Board will approve you for LPC licensure and you will be able to practice counseling in Alabama. A licensure fee payment will be due upon approval of the application.

Professional Counselor Licensure by Endorsement in Alabama

While Alabama does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states, you can apply for licensure by endorsement if you are already licensed to practice counseling in another state. Licensure by endorsement in Alabama is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The key element the Board looks at is the issuance date of the original license held by the applicant. Your date of issuance is matched to one of the three Alabama Equivalency Categories so that the terms of your original license can be compared to Alabama rules that were in place during that time. If the Board deems your license equivalent to the Alabama rules of that time, then your original license is eligible for endorsement. Otherwise, you will need to apply as a regular applicant. The application fee is $200 as of October 2022.

Counselor License Renewal and Continuing Education Information

LPCs must renew their licenses every two years, and the initial LPC license will expire on July 31 of the renewal year. Renewal notices are mailed to the licensee as a courtesy and a renewal fee of $300 (as of October 2022) is due for each renewal period. The LPC renewal application must be submitted in advance so that the Board has time to review and approve it before it expires. During each renewal period, a minimum of 40 hours of formal professional and continued education experience must be completed, with a minimum of six clock hours in ethical concerns. For more details on acceptable continuing education, see the Board’s website. The LPC should keep documentation of all CE hours earned for at least three years, but they only need to submit them with their renewal application if they are chosen to be audited.

To renew your ALC license, you must complete 10 formal contact clock hours of professional continuing education experience, a minimum of two of which should be in ethics. ALCs must submit documentation verifying the 10 hours of approved continuing education. The renewal fee for ALC licensure is $150 as of October 2022.

Additional Counseling Careers and Licenses in Alabama

In addition to licensed professional counselors, people interested in practicing counseling in Alabama may be interested in other types of jobs such as licensed marriage and family therapists, school counselors, and substance abuse counselors. The pathways for these counseling careers in Alabama are detailed below.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

The Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy oversees the licensure of LMFTs in the state of Alabama. LMFTs in the state are authorized to provide therapy including individual, group, couple, sexual, family, divorce therapy, and psychotherapy. LMFTs are required to have a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a regionally accredited institution. In order to be eligible for an LMFT license in Alabama, you must have a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a recognized educational institution or a graduate degree in an allied field that includes graduate-level coursework in marriage and family therapy. In addition to meeting the educational requirements to become an LMFT, you must:

  1. Submit your application to the Board to become a Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFT Associate). (You may submit your application before or after you have completed the educational requirement.)
  2. Accrue two calendar years of supervised work experience in marriage and family therapy following your degree program.
  3. Submit the Permission to Sit for the Marriage and Family Therapy Examination form.
  4. Take and pass the Marital and Family Therapy National Examination from the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
  5. Submit your LMFT application to the Board and receive your LMFT license.

For more information about LMFT careers, see the LMFT career guide.

School Counselor

School counselors in Alabama are licensed educators who hold a master’s degree in school counseling and address the academic, career, social, and emotional needs of their students. Since school counseling is considered an extension of education, these types of counselors are required to become teachers first and are licensed by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). Licensure as a school counselor requires attending a state-approved master’s-level educator preparation program in school counseling. Most applicants will complete some or all of the following general steps:

  1. Submit an application to ALSDE for a Professional Educator Certificate.
  2. Take and pass the Praxis Professional School Counselor exam.
  3. Receive your school counseling certification.

To learn more about the path to becoming a school counselor, visit our school counseling career guide.

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors practicing independently must be licensed as clinical social workers (LCSWs) or LPCs in Alabama. However, licensure is not required in order to work in addiction counseling under supervision. Supervised practice typically requires a bachelor’s degree or an acceptable combination of education and experience. In agencies, particularly those that are supported by government funds, this is termed as a Qualified Substance Abuse Provider (QSAP). Although the QSAP is not a credential, you can be considered a QSAP by completing one or more voluntary professional certifications, discussed in more detail below.

Typically, to work under supervision as a substance abuse professional in Alabama, you will need to:

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and training.
  2. Apply for one or more voluntary credentials.
  3. Pass the required exam(s) for your credential.
  4. Receive your credential and get hired as a supervised addictions professional.

More information about substance abuse counseling careers can be found in our substance abuse counseling career guide.

Optional Substance Abuse Counseling Credentials Offered in Alabama

There are various possible credentials for prospective substance abuse professionals in Alabama who wish to work under supervision. Earning these credentials will not qualify you to practice independently without the LPC, but they may increase your competitiveness on the job market while building your skills and knowledge.

Other Professional Counseling Careers

You may be interested in another type of counseling not listed above. Other counseling career paths and related careers may include:

  • Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Gambling Counselor
  • Genetic Counselor
  • Youth Counselor
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Pastoral Counselor
  • Recreational Therapist

Alabama Counseling Career and Salary Information

In Alabama, 7,660 total professional counselors are employed in the five major categories of counseling identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1-5 Over half of these are employed in the educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors category.3 Those in the educational and school counselors category earn the highest salaries in Alabama, at nearly $55,000 per year, followed closely by “all other” counselors, who earn over $50,000 per year.3,5

The job outlook for counselors in Alabama is largely positive, with projections similar to national ones.2 The highest growth projected is for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, with 16.9% job growth expected in the next 10 years, close to the 22.9% projected nationally.6 Jobs for educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors are also projected to grow at a rate of 10.2%, which is close to the national average (11.5%) for this category.6

OccupationNumber Employed1-5Average Annual Salary1-5
Counselors, All Other40$51,660
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors3,830$54,950
Marriage and Family Therapists310$46,220
Rehabilitation Counselors710$44,000
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors2,770$43,250

Counseling Associations in Alabama

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a licensed professional counselor in Alabama?

The process to become a licensed counselor in Alabama varies based on the speed at which you complete the necessary steps. Most candidates will spend four years getting a bachelor’s degree, one or two years of graduate study, and an additional one to two years accumulating supervised experience, taking the exam, and completing the application steps.

How much do Alabama counselors make?

The salaries for Alabama counselors vary by many factors including the type of counselor, employer type, and location. The average salary for counselors of all types in the state is $48,016 per year.1-5

Can I become a counselor in Alabama without a degree?

It is unlikely. Most counselor types in Alabama require a graduate degree in counseling or a related area. Even if you aim to work for an Alabama substance abuse agency as a QSAP, you will need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

Do I have to take an exam to be a licensed professional counselor in Alabama?

Yes, after you apply to become an ALC in Alabama, you will be authorized by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). A passing score on this test is required to become an LPC.

Do I have to have experience to become an LPC in Alabama?

Yes, before you can become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Alabama state law requires you to gain at least 3,000 hours of experience supervised by an LPC. During this time, you will be classified as an Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC).

How do I become a supervising licensed professional counselor in Alabama?

To become a supervising LPC (or LPC-S), you must accrue at least five years of continuous full-time clinical practice (over 20 hours a week) as an LPC and complete an ABEC-approved supervisory training program within the past three years. You can submit an application with at least three peer recommendations from current Alabama LPCs. Your LPC-S license will allow you to supervise no more than five supervisees at a time.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Marriage and Family Therapists: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211013.htm
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211012.htm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Rehabilitation Counselors: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211015.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages, Counselors, All Other: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211019.htm
6. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm