How to Become a Counselor in Kansas
Counselors in Kansas are known as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs)—although those who wish to continue their education and further develop their clinical skills can obtain licensure as Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs) as well.
The premier professional organization for LPCs and LCPCs in the state is the Kansas Counseling Association, a local branch of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, whose mission is to “enhance the profession of clinical mental health counseling through advocacy, education, and collaboration.”
Licensure for both LPCs and LCPCs in Kansas is managed by the state Behavioral Science Regulatory Board. Licensure requirements for counselors in Kansas, including those relating to education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal, and “licensure through reciprocity,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as public and private scholarships available to aspiring LPCs and LCPCs in the state.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University
Master of Arts in Counseling
Earn a CACREP-accredited master’s in counseling online from top-9 ranked1 Northwestern University.
1U.S. News & World Report: 2022 Best National University Rankings
- CACREP Accredited
- Earn your MA in Counseling from Northwestern in as few as 18 months
- Accelerated full-time, traditional, or part-time tracks available
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
Learn more about NYU Steinhardt’s online MA degree that prepares you to become a school counselor in as few as 18 months. Graduates can pursue certification and employment in pre-K–12 schools. Bachelor’s req.
- Complete in as few as 18 months.
- Pursue school counselor certification.
- Study bilingual school counseling (optional).
- GRE scores are not required.
USC Rossier School of Education
Master of Education in School Counseling
The University of Southern California Rossier School of Education offers a Master of Education in School Counseling online for aspiring K-12 school counselors. The program can be completed in less than two years and there is no GRE requirement.
- No GRE required
- Prepares you for school counseling credential
- Bachelor’s degree required
Counselor Education in Kansas
LPC licensure in Kansas requires the completion of a counseling graduate degree of at least 60 graduate semester hours from a regionally accredited institution.
Of those 60 hours, at least two must be in each of the following content areas:
- Counseling Theory & Practice
- The Helping Relationship
- Group Dynamics, Processes, & Counseling Approaches and Techniques
- Human Growth & Development
- Career Development and Lifestyle Foundations
- Appraisal of Individuals
- Social and Cultural Foundations
- Research & Evaluation
- Professional Orientation
- Supervised Practical Experience
Aside from the content areas listed above, 15 hours of the 60 required must be in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. More specifically, two of those 15 hours should be in ethics and another two should be in psychopathology and diagnostic assessment.
Internship Requirements
LPC licensure in Kansas requires as part of the graduate degree program a supervised practical experience, also sometimes referred to as an internship. This experience should be under the close supervision of the course instructor and on-site supervisor. This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, also a requirement for LPC licensure in Kansas.
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Supervision Hours
“Supervision” is shorthand for post-degree, directed experience in professional counseling under clinical supervision in a work setting. Although Kansas does not require supervision for LPC licensure (PDF, 97.4 KB), it does so for LCPC licensure.
Aspiring LCPCs in Kansas must complete at least 4,000 hours of post-graduate, supervised professional experience. Of those 4,000 hours, at least 50 should be face-to-face, one-on-one individual supervision and at least 100 should be group supervision with up to six supervisees. The supervisor must be an LCPC or be otherwise licensed to practice graduate-level behavioral science in counseling, therapy, or psychotherapy.
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Examination
After approval from the Behavioral Science Regulatory Board, applicants for licensure as a counselor in Kansas must take a nationally administered written exam.
National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)
The NCE is a 200-question multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills, and abilities in effective counseling services.
The Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Exam
The CRC Exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions across 10 subjects underlying rehabilitation counseling. One portion of the exam tests knowledge regarding counseling, while the other pertains to rehabilitation and disability issues. It is administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
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LPC and LCPC Licensure Fees
LPCs and LCPCs in Kansas can expect to pay the following fees for their application, license, renewal, and examination:
LPC/LCPC Application: $50
LCPC License: $175
LPC License Renewal: $100
LCPC License Renewal: $125
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LPC and LCPC License Renewal
LPC and LCPC licenses in Kansas expire biennially on the last day of the month the license was originally issued. Professional counselor license renewal in Kansas requires payment of the appropriate renewal fee and completion of continuing education requirements.
Continuing Education
LPCs and LCPCs in Kansas must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during the 24-month renewal period to successfully renew their licenses. Acceptable CE activities include attending academic courses, seminars, institutes, or workshops (maximum of 30 hours). Professional counselors can pursue CE hours through a maximum of 10 hours in providing supervision, preparation and presentation of a professional counseling course, publication of a professional counseling article in a juried professional journal, and/or participation in a professional organization.
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Additional Information
For Counselors Licensed in Other States
The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board has an alternative route to licensure (PDF, 16.9 KB) for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. This process is known as “licensure through reciprocity” and verifies applicable and equivalent requirements that are met out of state in comparison to Kansas licensure requirements.
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Average Counselor Salary in Kansas
The following types of counselors in Kansas can expect to earn the corresponding average hourly and annual wages, according to May 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
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Kansas Counseling Scholarships
The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring LPCs and LCPCs in Kansas:
- Type: Loan Repayment
- Amount: Up to $50,000
- Description: LPCs and LCPCs in Kansas can receive loan repayment assistance in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) at a site approved by the National Health Service Corps. Funding is tied to HPSA score and is in exchange for two years of service.
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: To Be Decided by School
- Description: The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funds to schools, which in turn offer scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are studying professional counseling (amongst other health professions).
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*Licensure information including requirements, salaries, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of May 2022. Information may have changed since; check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.
Last Updated: May 2022
In Kansas, there are currently over 5,000 people employed in various counseling practice areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1-5 Those interested in entering the counseling field in Kansas will need to undergo a lengthy licensing process in order to become one, including pursuing a foundational education, gaining years of experience, taking an exam, and applying to the correct state licensure board. On this page, you can learn about the process to get your Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor license and other professional counseling license types available in Kansas.
Table of Contents
How to Become a Counselor in Kansas
Prospective professional counselors in Kansas of all types will need to meet specific educational requirements before they are able to become licensed. There are several schools in Kansas that offer counseling degrees. Schools in other states may also offer programs that meet Kansas requirements. You may also have to meet experience and testing requirements during the licensure process.
1. Decide which area of counseling to pursue.
Professional counseling is a broad field and encompasses many practice areas, including school and guidance counseling, substance abuse counseling, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling. Because there are so many different types of counseling, you will most likely be required to get a specialized degree to qualify for a given practice area, so planning ahead of time which area you wish to target is crucial.
2. Earn the degree(s) required for your counseling practice area.
All Kansas counseling licenses discussed on this page require a degree and most require a master’s degree. The only exception is the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), which requires a bachelor’s degree to become licensed.
3. Get licensed to practice counseling in Kansas.
Getting the appropriate degree is only the first step to becoming a Kansas counselor. Most counseling types require a lengthy licensing process involving gaining supervised experience and taking required exams. The Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) regulates the licensure of licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and substance abuse counselors in Kansas. School counselors must be licensed through the Kansas State Department of Education. Continue reading to learn more about each of these license types and the process to become each one.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Licensing Process
The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) licenses mental health counselors in the state, known as Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs). Kansas uses a tiered licensing structure, so aspiring LPCCs will either need to become licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and work under supervision until they attain their LPCC, if they so choose. LPCCs in Kansas are permitted to practice independently to diagnose and treat mental disorders of their patients. For more about a career in professional counseling, read our mental health counselor career guide. To become an LPCC in Kansas, you will need to first complete an approved, 60-hour graduate program in counseling or a related field with specific coursework requirements that includes a supervised practicum/internship with a psychotherapy/assessment component. Then, you will complete the following steps.
1. Submit an application to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Your application packet should include official transcripts, three letters of reference in sealed, signed envelopes, and the application fee of $50 (as of October 2019).
2. Pass the NCE Exam.
Once the Board has had your application on file for six weeks and has had the chance to review it, they will notify you that you can take the required exam to become an LPC. Kansas requires that LPC candidates take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) exam administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). You can find more information and study guides on the NBCC website.
3. Receive your LPC license and accrue supervised experience.
As an LPC, you will be able to work under supervision to accumulate the post-graduate experience you will need to become clinically licensed. You will need to complete two years of at least 4,000 hours, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact and at least 50 hours of person-to-person individual supervision. You must submit the Clinical Supervision Training Plan before you begin to accrue the hours.
4. Apply for LPCC licensure and permission to test, if desired.
The next step will be to apply to the BSRB for LPCC licensure. You will submit the application packet along with the $50 fee and Post-Graduate Supervisor Attestation (included in the packet).
5. Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).
After the BSRB has reviewed your LPCC application, they will notify you that you can take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), also administered by the NBCC. Study materials can be found on the NBCC website.
6. Receive your LPCC license.
Once you have passed the clinical exam and the BSRB has reviewed your application, you will receive your LPCC license and be able to practice independently in Kansas.
Professional Counselor Licensure by Reciprocity in Kansas
While Kansas does not have any formal reciprocity agreements with any other states, it does offer licensure by reciprocity to candidates licensed in another state. To be eligible for licensure by reciprocity, you must have been practicing clinical mental health counseling for at least five consecutive years in your state, your license must be in good standing, and your license must be determined to have substantially equivalent requirements as the Kansas license. You must also have at least three years in clinical practice diagnosing and treating mental health disorders and you must hold a master’s degree in counseling. If you meet these requirements, you can use the reciprocity application to apply for LPCC licensure in Kansas.
Counselor Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Information
Both LPCs and LPCCs in Kansas must meet continuing education requirements for renewal. Professional counseling licenses must be renewed every two years. During this time, 30 hours of documented, approved continuing education must be completed. More information about continuing education unit (CEU) requirements can be found on the BSRB website. You can renew with a paper application or online.
Additional Counseling Careers and Licenses in Kansas
LPCs and LPCCs are not the only professional counseling licenses in Kansas. The state also has licensed marriage and family therapists, school counselors, and substance abuse counselors, each of which has its own unique license pathway.
Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT)
In Kansas, the licensure of marriage and family therapists is overseen by the Behavioral Services Regulatory Board. After receiving their master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field with certain coursework, candidates will apply to become an LMFT while they gain the necessary supervised experience to become an LCMFT in Kansas’s tiered licensing process. LMFTs in Kansas must practice under the supervision of an LCMFT. Both LMFTs and LCMFTs are permitted to treat, evaluate, and diagnose mental disorders, but only LCMFTs practice marriage and family therapy independently. To become fully licensed as an LCMFT in Kansas, you will:
- Apply as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
- Take and pass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination.
- Submit a Clinical Supervision Training Plan and accrue required supervised experience.
- Apply for your full LCMFT license.
If you would like to learn more about becoming an LMFT, read our LMFT career guide.
School Counselor
If you are interested in becoming a school counselor in Kansas, you will need to be endorsed as such by the Kansas State Department of Education. School counselors in Kansas support and enhance student learning and achievement and collaborate with parents and other educators to ensure students’ preparedness for the future. Both licensed educators and those with no teaching background can become licensed as a school counselor with the completion of an approved school counseling preparation program and graduate degree. Those seeking a new license (without a teaching background) will need to have additional field experiences during the program. Beyond the educational requirements, the basic steps for becoming a school counselor in Kansas are:
- Take the Praxis school counseling exam.
- Request an initial license and seek employment.
- Gain one year of supervised experience (non-teachers only).
- Complete a performance assessment while employed with an initial license.
- Apply for and receive a five-year professional school specialist license in school counseling.
For more information about the school counseling profession, see our school counselor career guide.
Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC)
The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board also handles the licensing of substance abuse counselors in the state, called Licensed Addiction Counselors (LACs), Licensed Masters Addiction Counselors (LMACs), and Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselors (LCACs). Substance abuse counselors in Kansas use their skills to assist people struggling with addictions by exploring the consequences of their disease, examining their attitudes and feelings, and considering alternatives to using. Substance abuse counselors evaluate and assess, assign treatment plans, and facilitate crisis intervention. While LACs and LMACs must work under the supervision of an LCAC at all times, LCACs can diagnose and treat disorders independently.
LACs can become licensed with a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling or a related field. The LMAC requires a master’s degree in addiction counseling or a related field, or, if you hold licensure from the BSRB as an LPC, LMFT, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or Master’s Level Psychologist (LMLP), you may become licensed as an LMAC through one of these pathways. The most advanced substance abuse license in Kansas, and the only one able to practice independently, is the LCAC, which requires a National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC)-accredited master’s degree in addiction counseling or a related master’s degree that meets specific coursework. To gain the LCAC title, you should:
- Apply to become an LMAC.
- Take the required exam.
- Submit an Clinical Supervision Training Plan and accrue supervised experience.
- Apply to be an LCAC and get your license.
Other Substance Abuse Counseling Credentials Offered in Kansas
- Certified Prevention Professional (CPP)
- Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)
- Certified Prevention Technician (CPT)
If you would like to learn more about becoming a substance abuse counselor, you should check out our substance abuse counselor career guide.
Other Professional Counseling Careers
In addition to the four counseling types described above, there are many other subfields that fall under the counseling umbrella. Some of these include:
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Gambling Counselor
- Genetic Counselor
- Youth Counselor
- Guidance Counselor
- Pastoral Counselor
- Recreational Therapist
Kansas Counseling Career and Salary Information
Most counseling areas in Kansas earn average annual salaries above $40,000 per year.1-5 Counselors in the educational, guidance, school, and vocational areas have the highest average salaries, earning an average of $50,100 each year.3 This is also the field with the most counselors in the state, with 2,500 employed, and Kansas’s nonmetropolitan area ranks number one for the highest employment in this subfield.3 The subfield with the second-highest number of counselors in Kansas is substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling.1 This area includes 1,600 counselors, who earn an average salary of $41,330.1
There is expected to be positive job growth in many counseling areas in Kansas in the coming years, according to long term estimates by Projections Central.6 By the year 2026, Kansas is projected to add a total of 470 new counseling jobs in the five major areas tracked.6 The largest increase in job openings may be seen the subfield of educational, guidance, school, and vocational counseling, which is expected to add 200 new job openings (9.3% growth) over the 10-year period ending in 2026.6 Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling is projected to see the fastest growth (14.7%), adding 160 new jobs to the field through 2026.6
OccupationNumber EmployedAverage Annual SalaryCounselors, All Other70$41,720Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors2,500$50,100Marriage and Family Therapists160$42,390Rehabilitation Counselors770$32,280Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors1,600$41,330
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1-5
Counseling Associations in Kansas
- Kansas Counseling Association (KCA): Dedicated to professional counseling advocacy and advancement of the profession in Kansas by supporting the associations many divisions.
- Kansas School Counselor Association: Collaborates with school counselors throughout the state to support the emotional, mental health, and academic needs of students.
- Kansas Association of Marriage & Family Counselors (KAMFC): This division of the Kansas Counseling Association concentrates on the area of family and marriage counseling, bringing together professionals in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there counseling careers without a degree in Kansas?
Maybe. All of the primary counseling types discussed on this page do require a degree in Kansas, the lowest being the LAC substance abuse counseling license, which requires a bachelor’s degree. LCPCs, LCMFTs, school counselors, and LCACs all require a master’s degree or higher to practice. There may be other types of counseling not detailed on this page that do not require a degree. Check out our Careers page for more information on various counseling careers.
Do I need a degree to be a substance abuse counselor in Kansas?
Yes. To become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), you will need a bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling or a related field; to become a Licensed Masters Addiction Counselor (LMAC) or Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC), you will need a master’s degree in addiction counseling or a closely related field.
How many counseling jobs in Kansas will be available in the coming years?
According to Projections Central, the state can expect some growth in all major practice areas with data.6 The highest number of average annual openings is expected in the educational, guidance, school, and vocational counseling field, with an average of 250 job openings expected each year through 2026, including replacement jobs.6 Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling jobs follow close behind, with an average of 140 job openings expected each year through 2026.6
Can Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists practice independently in Kansas?
No, Kansas offers a tiered licensing system by which counselors are first licensed as LMFTs in order to accrue the required supervised experience necessary to become an LCMFT. Full licensure as a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) is necessary to practice independently in Kansas.
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 2016-2026: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
