Indiana Counselor Licensure FAQ

What type of license will I be working toward with this program?

Huntington Universities Graduate Counseling Program meets the educational requirements for the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Indiana.

What are the educational requirements for licensure?

The state of Indiana requires classes in nine core counseling content areas, and three specific content domains related to the practice of mental health counseling. The state also requires that your masters program be at least 60 semester hours. Huntington University’s Graduate Counseling Program meets these state requirements.

What are the clinical requirements for licensure in this graduate program?

The state of Indiana requires 1,000 hours of clinical practice in a graduate counseling program leading to licensure. Of those 1,000 hours, 40% or more need to be direct client contact (HU’s program requires 50%). During your 1,000 hours of practice you must also document at least 100 hours of supervision (HU’s program will exceed this number). This weekly supervision includes at least one hour of individual and one and a half hours of group supervision throughout your Practicum and Internships (HU’s program will exceed this number).

Are there postgraduate requirements for licensure?

Yes. There are post-graduate requirements related to hours of experience, hours of supervision and a counselor exam. Upon graduation, individuals may begin to accumulate postgraduate practice hours. Indiana state licensure requires 3,000 hours of postgraduate counseling experience. There is no direct client requirement included in these 3,000 hours. These 3,000 hours need to be completed in no less than 21 months and no more than 48 months. In addition, individuals must receive 100 hours of supervision during these 3,000 hours of practice. After the 3,000 hours of post graduate experience is completed, individuals are eligible to sit for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHC). Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals are eligible to submit an application for an Indiana LMHC license.

Additional information on the exam can be found at:
www.counselingexam.com/ncmhce/index.shtml

If I am licensed in the state of Indiana, will other states recognize my license?

No. Licensure is regulated by each state’s legislature. Unfortunately, there is not portability for counselor licensure between states. Most states will work with counselors licensed by other states and recognize comparable education and experience but each state has its own unique guidelines. However, Indiana does have one of the most rigorous requirements for counselor licensure which makes it easier for Indiana licensed counselors to meet the requirements for licensure in other states. Individuals interested in practicing in another state should compare the Indiana licensure requirements to other states requirements under their consideration for practice.


What is the website for additional Indiana licensure information?

Indiana counselor licensure information can be found at: www.in.gov/pla/bandc/mhcb. This is the official website of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency

Back to Graduate Counseling home page >>>