Licensing

State Licensing For Pastoral Counselors

Pastoral Counselors are able to work with a state license in most states today. Only six states actually license the title Pastoral Counselor. They are: Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In many other states Pastoral Counselors may qualify for licensure as Marriage and Family Therapists or as Professional Counselors. They may have to take supplemental courses to match a model curriculum, or take a certified Post-graduate program. Read the regulations for a specific state to see what equivalencies are allowed.

This document gives contact addresses, phone numbers, and web sites, if available.

Abbreviation Legend

CCPT - Certified Clinical Pastoral Therapist
CpastC - Certified Pastoral Counselor
LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor
LPP - Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist
LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LCPT- Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor
LPC - Licensed Pastoral Counselor
LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor
LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
CPC - Certified Professional Counselor
LMFC - Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor
LPCMH - Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health
LCMHC - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor

 

 

To locate The Board near you,
click on your state or country<!-- or province-->:

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

 

ALABAMA

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: Law, Rules and Regulations may be accessed at website.
• Address: Board of Examiners in Counseling, 950 22nd St N., Suite 670,
  Birmingham, AL 35203
  Board of Examiners in MFT, 610 S. McDonough St., Montgomery, AL 36104
• Phone: 205-458-8716 or 800-822-3307
• For Counseling: wcox@abec.state.al.us
• Email for MFT: abemft@aol.com

 

 

ALASKA

• Region: Northwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT
• Comments: Masters or Doc. in MFT or allied MH field.
  Must have specified courses. Exam.
• Address: Board of Professional Counselors Division of Occupational Licensing, P.O. Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806
• Phone: 907-465-2551
• Website: http://www.dced.ak.us/occ/pmft.cfm
• Email: olivia_orsborn@dced.state.ak.us

 

 

ARIZONA

• Region: Pacific
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): CPC
• Address: Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, 1400 W. Washington St., Rm 350, Phoenix, AZ 85007
• Phone: (602)542-1830
• Email: behavioral_health@pop.state.az.us
• Webpage: http://aspin.asu.edu/~azbbhe/

 

ARKANSAS

• Region: Central
• Address: Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling (CPC), P.O. Box 70, Magnolia, AR 71754-0070
• Phone: (870)901-7055
• Email: arboec@sbcglobal.net

 

CALIFORNIA

• Region: Pacific
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFC, MFT
• Comments: MA with specific course requirements; 3,000 hrs. supervised experience. Exam.
• Address: Marriage and Family and Child Therapist Bd. of Behavioral Science Examiners, 400 R St, Suite 3150, Sacramento, CA 95814-6240
• Phone: (916)445-4933
• Webpage: http://www.bbs.ca.gov

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COLORADO

• Region: Rocky Mountain-Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): PC, MFT
• Comments:
• Address: State Bd. of LPC Examiners, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1370, Denver, CO 80202
• Phone: 303-894-7766
• Email: joan.seggerman@state.co.us
• Webpage: http://www.dora.state.co.us/Mental-Health/

 

CONNECTICUT

• Region: Northeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT, LMHC
• Comments: M.Div. does not qualify, after grandfather period ended.
• Address: Dept. of Public Health Services - State of Connecticut, 410 Capitol Ave. MS-12APP, PO Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308
• Phone: 860-509-7561
• Webpage: http://www.state.ct.us/dph/

 

DELAWARE

• Region: Atlantic
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPCMH
• Address: Board of Professional Counselors of Mental Health, 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Canon Building, Suite 203, Dover, DE 19904
• Phone: 302-739-4522

 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

• Region: Atlantic
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC
• Address: DC Board of Professional Counseling Dept. of Health, 825 N. Capital Street, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20001
• Phone: 202-442-4775 or 202-442-9200

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FLORIDA

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: See website for rules & statutes. Masters must have "emphasis in MFT," or specified Counseling courses.
• Address: Bd. of Clinical Social Work, MFTs & Mental Health Counselors, 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin #C08, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3250
• Phone: 850-245-4444 ext. 3434
• Email: carole_timin@doh.state.fl.us
• Webpage: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/

 

GEORGIA

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: M.Div. accepted if required courses have been taken. See website
• Address: Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFT's, 237 Coliseum Dr., Macon, GA 31217
• Phone: 478-207-1670
• Email: fajayi@sos.state.ga.us
• Webpage: http://sos.state.ga.us/plb/counselors/

 

HAWAII

• Region: Pacific
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT
• Address: Prof. & Voc. Licensing Division, Dept. of Comm. & Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 3469, Honolulu, HI 96811
• Phone: 808-586-2693

 

IDAHO

• Region: Northwest
• Licensing Available: yes
• Title(s): LPC
• Comments: M.Div. or Doctorate, with 60 counseling hours (defined), plus supervision and experience; natl. exam.
• Address: Idaho State Counselor Licensure Board, 1109 Main St., Suite 220, Boise, ID 83702-5642
• Phone: 208-334-3233
• Email: jwiedric@ibol.state.id.us

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ILLINOIS

• Region: Central
• Licensing Available: yes
• Title(s): LPC, LCPC, LMFT
• Comments: AAPC Fellow or Diplomate may sit for counselor exam.
• Address: Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation, 320 West Washington, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
• Phone: 217-782-0458
• Webpage: http://www.dpr.state.il.us/

 

INDIANA

• Region: Midwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT, LMHC, LCSW
• Comments: With MDiv, or MA in Pastoral Counseling or MFT, must also match courses of model curriculum plus exam. (Approved Program at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.)
• Address: Indiana SW, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Mental Health Counselor Bd., Health Professions Bureau, 402 W. Washington St., Room 041, Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Phone: 317-234-2064
• Email: hpb5@hpb.state.in.us
• Webpage: http://www.state.in.us/hpb

 

IOWA

• Region: Central
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMHC, LMFT
• Address: Board of Behavior Science Examiners, Dept of Pub. Health, Br. of Prof. Licensing Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor Des Moines, IA 50319
• Phone: 515-281-4413
• Webpage: http://idph.state.ia.us/

 

KANSAS

• Region: Central
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: Behavioral Science Regulatory Board, 712 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66603-3817
• Phone: 785-296-3240
• Email: lvawter@ink.org
• Webpage: http://www.ksbsrb.org/index.cfm

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KENTUCKY

• Region: Midwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: New: Certified Fee Based Pastoral Counselor. M.Div. + 1yr. min; + 1375 supervised hours; exam.
• Address: KY Bd of Certification of Fee Based Pastoral Counselors, PO Box 1360, Frankfort, KY 40602
• Phone: 502-564-3296 ext. 226
• Webpage: http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/finance/occupations/pastoralcounselor/

 

LOUISIANA

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC
• Comments: Must meet specified degree requirements.
• Address: Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners, 8631 Summa Ave., Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
• Phone: 504-765-2515

 

MAINE

• Region: Northeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LpastC, LMFT, LPC
• Comments: MAINE licenses Pastoral Counselors by Title.
• Address: Maine Board of Counseling Professionals, Licensure State House Station #35, Augusta, ME 04333
• Phone: 207-624-8603
• Webpage: http://www.state.me.us/pfr/led/counsel/

 

MARYLAND

• Region: Atlantic
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists, Metro Executive Center, 3rd Floor, 4201 Patterson Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215-2299
• Phone: 410-764-4732

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MASSACHUSETTS

• Region: Northeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMHC, LMFT
• Comments: M.Div. does not qualify, nor does D.Min. for doctoral level.
• Address: Bd. of Allied Mental Health and Human Service Professionals, 239 Causeway St, 5th Flr., Boston, MA 02114
• Phone: 617-727-3080
• Email: jodi.b.rubin@state.ma.us
• Webpage: http://www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/mh/

 

MICHIGAN

• Region: Midwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: D.Min. may not qualify; but may take post graduate MFT program and take national MFT exam.
• Address: Bd. of MFT or Bd. of Counseling, Bureau of Health Services, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909
• Phone: 517-335-0918
• Webpage: http://www.cis.state.mi.us/bhser

 

MINNESOTA

• Region: Central
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT
• Comments: Approved MFT Program or equivalent. Exam.
• Address: Bd. of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2829 University SE, Suite 330, Minneapolis, MN 55414
• Phone: 612-617-2220
• Webpage: http://www.bmft.state.mn.us

 

MISSISSIPPI

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: Bd. of Examiners for Licensed Prof. Counselors, 319 South Main Street, Yazoo City, MS 39194
• Phone: 601-362-0616

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MISSOURI

• Region: Central
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: Must have taken required courses in Masters Program; Accredited post-graduate program permitted.
• Address: Division of Professional Registration Committee for Professional Counselors, 3605 Missouri Blvd., PO Box 1335, Jefferson City, MO 65102
• Phone: 573-751-0018
• Email: couns@mail.state.mo.us
• Webpage: http://www.ecodev.state.mo.us/pr/mft

 

MONTANA

• Region: Rocky Mountain-Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LCPC
• Address: Bd. of Social Work Examiners and Prof. Counselors, 301 South Park, 4th Floor, P.O. Box 200513, Helena, MT 59620-0513
• Phone: 406-841-2369
• Email: dlibsdswp@state.mt.us

 

NEBRASKA

• Region: Rocky Mountain-Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: Post masters courses are allowed to meet specific degree requirements
• Address: The Nebraska Board of Mental Health Practice, P.O. Box 94986, Lincoln, NE 68509-9486
• Phone: 402-471-2117
• Webpage: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/lis/lis.asp

 

NEVADA

• Region: Pacific
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT
• Address: Marriage and Family Therapist Bd. of Examiners, PO Box 72758, Las Vegas, NV 89170
• Phone: 702-486-7388
• Webpage: http://marriage.state.nv.us/

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Region: Northeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPP, LMFT
• Comments: Parallels AAPC Fellow and Diplomate requirements. D.Min. in Pastoral counseling OK.
• Address: NH Board of Mental Health Practice, 49 Donovan St., Concord, NH 03301
• Phone: 603-271-6762
• Email: plynch@dhhs.state.nh.us
• Webpage: http://www.state.nh.us/mhpb/

 

NEW JERSEY

• Region: Eastern
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LMFT, LPC
• Address: Bd. of MFT Examainers/ or PC Examiner's Committee, P.O. Box 45007, Newark, NJ 07101
• Phone: 973-504-6415
• Webpage: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical.cfm

 

NEW MEXICO

• Region: Southwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPCC, LMFT
• Comments: Masters degree must "have focus in MFT or meet the requirements of the core curriculum in marriage and family therapy from an accredited institution; 1000 hrs. experience. Will change in 2006
• Address: New Mexico Therapy Practice Board Regulation & Licensings Dept., 2055 Pacheco Street, Suite 300, PO Box 25101, Sante Fe, NM 87505
• Phone: 505-476-7100
• Webpage: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/b&c/counseling/counselingtherapypracticeboard.cfm

 

NEW YORK

• Region: Eastern
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LCSW, LMSW, LMFT, LMHC, Psychologists, Psychoanalysts
• http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/
•  

 

NORTH CAROLINA

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): CpastC, LMFT, LPC
• Comments: Pastoral Counselors have their own specific title in NC. There are also boards for LMFT's and Licensed Practicing Counselors
• Address: NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, P.O. Box 1369, Garner, NC 27529-1369 or North Carolina Board of Examiners of Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselors, Ms. Shelia Beck, Administrative Secretary, P.O. Box 2227, Welcome, NC 27374.
• Phone: (NCBLPC) 919-661-0820 (NCBFBPPC) 336-794-3470
• Fax: (NCBFBPPC) 336-794-3116
• Email: (NCBFBPPC) ncbfbppc@aol.com

 

NORTH DAKOTA

• Region: Rocky Mountain-Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC
• Address: ND Board of Counselor Examiners, 2112 10th Avenue, SE, Mandan, ND 58554
• Phone: 701-667-5969
• Fax: 701-667-5969
• Email: ndbce@btigate.com

 

OHIO

• Region: Midwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC
• Comments: Tight degree requirements; best if from Ohio school; contact Ashland Theological School
• Address: Counselor and Social Work Board, 77 South High St., Columbus, OH 43266
• Phone: 614-466-0912

 

OKLAHOMA

• Region: Southwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: Licensed Professional Counselors Advisory Board, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
• Phone: 405-271-6030

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OREGON

• Region: Northwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: May take supplemental courses to meet specified curriculum.
• Address: Bd. of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, 3218 Pringle Rd, SE, #160, Salem, OR 97302-6312
• Phone: 503-378-5499
• Email: lpc.lmft@state.or.us

 

PENNSYLVANIA

• Region: Atlantic
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: 60 hr. MA in "closely related field", 3600 hrs. sup. experience; exam. (Grandfather period in effect now)
• Address: Bd. of SWs, MFTs, and PCs; Dept. of State, PO Box 2469, Harrisburg, PA 17105
• Phone: 717-783-1389
• Email: socialwo@pados.state.pa.us
• Webpage: http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/socwkbd/mainpage.cfm

 

RHODE ISLAND

• Region: Northeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: Bd of MHCs & MFT's, 3 Capital Hill, Room 104, Providence, RI 02908-5097
• Phone: 401-222-2827 ext 106
• Email: donnad@doh.state.ri.us

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: SC Board of Licensed Practicing Counselors, PO Box 11329, Columbia, SC 29211-1329
• Phone: 803-896-4658
• Webpage: http://www.llr.state.sc.us

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SOUTH DAKOTA

• Region: Rocky Mountain-Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: 48 hr. approved Masters, or course equivalents.
• Address: SD Bd of Counselor Examiners, P.O. Box 220, Sioux Falls, SD 57101
• Phone: 605-331-2927
• Webpage: http://www.dhs.sd.gov/brd/counselor

 

TENNESSEE

• Region: Southeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LCPT
• Comments: M.Div., D Min qualify, if 60 or more hours of specified courses; AAMFT certification is endorsed; May take AAPC exam.
• Address: Bd. of Prof.Counselors, Marital and Family Therapists, and Clinical Pastoral Therapist, Dept. of Health, 1st Floor, Cordell Hull Bldg, 425 5th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37247-1010
• Phone: 615-532-3202 / 888-310-4650
• Webpage: http://www.state.tn.us/health

 

TEXAS

• Region: Southwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: Need MA, D Min or PHD in specified counseling Field (or substantial equiv.) 3 yrs. exp.
• Address: Bd. of Examiners of PCs, 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756-3183
• Phone: 512-834-6658
• Webpage: http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/hcqs/plc/mft.cfm

 

UTAH

• Region: Rocky Mountain-Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: PC or MFT Board, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Dept. of Commerce,160 East 300 South, Box 146741, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
• Phone: 801-530-6720
• Email: dsjones@utah.gov
• Webpage: http://www.commerce.state.ut.us

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VERMONT

• Region: Northeast
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LCMHC, MFT
• Comments: For MHC, must have master's meeting required courses; MFT needs accredited MA, or equivalent; Exam.
• Address: Bd. of Allied MH Practitioners, Office of Professional Regulation, Redstone Bldg,109, State St.,Montpelier, VT 05609-1106
• Phone: 802-828-2390
• Email: dlafaill@sec.st.vt.us
• Webpage: http://www.sec.state.vt.us/opr/oprdex.cfm

 

VIRGINIA

• Region: Atlantic
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: 60 hr.MA approved by COAMFTE or CACREP; or equiv. meeting course requirements. Exam.
• Address: Virginia Bd. of Prof. Counselors, 6606 W. Broad St, 4th Floor, Richmond, VA 23230
• Phone: 804-662-9912
• Webpage: http://www.dhp.state.va.us/counseling/counseling_laws_regs.cfm

 

WASHINGTON

• Region: Northwest
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LCMHC, CMHT
• Comments: Masters or Doctoral Degree in MFT or "behavioral science" plus 2 years supervision and exam
• Address: Mental Health Quality Assurance Division, Health Prof. Section Two, 1300 SE Quince Street, Olympia, WA 98504-7869
• Phone: 360-644-4111
• Email: karen.sweet@doh.wa.gov
• Webpage: http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqad/Coun/default.cfm

 

WEST VIRGINIA

• Region: Atlantic
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC
• Address: WV Bd. of Examiners in Counseling, Marshall University Graduate College, P.O. Box 129, Ona, WV 25545
• Phone: 304-767-3061 or 800-520-3852
• Email: jajohnson@marshall.edu

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WISCONSIN

• Region: Central
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Comments: MA in MFT or Prof. Counseling or substantial equivalent. Exam.
• Address: Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, PO Box 8935, Madison, WI 53708
• Phone: 608-266-0145
• Webpage: http://badger.state.wi.us:80/agencies/drl/Regulation/html/dod1047.cfm

 

WYOMING

• Region: Rocky Mountain- Plains
• Licensing Available: Yes
• Title(s): LPC, LMFT
• Address: Mental Health Professions Licensure Board, First Bank Plaza, 2020 Carey Ave., Suite 201, Cheyenne, WY 82002
• Phone: 3007-777-7788
• Webpage: http://soswy.state.wy.us/director/ag-bd/mental.cfm