Professional Counselor Examiners Committee

General Questions

1. How does the Committee work?

   The Professional Counselor Examiners Committee ("the Committee") is a sub-committee of the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners. Members of the public may attend the Committee's public sessions where the Committee discusses pending legislation that affects the mental health field and public correspondence. The Committee reviews applications, proposed plans of supervision, matters of pending disciplinary action, and other confidential matters during its Executive Sessions which are closed to the general public.

2. What is the Committee's address?

   State Board of Marriage and Family Examiners
   Professional Counselor Examiners Committee
   P.O. Box 45044
   Newark, NJ 07101

3. What is the Committee's phone number?

   The phone number to reach the Committee's staff is (973) 504-6582.

4. When and where are the Committee meetings held?

   The Committee meets the first Thursday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07101. Please refer to the Committee's meeting schedule for dates.

5. I want to attend a Committee meeting. May I?

   Yes, you may attend the Committee's public sessions, which start at 9:30 a.m. Please note that individual applications and complaints cannot be discussed in public session due to confidentiality issues.

6. How do I file a complaint against a counselor?

   You must fillout a complaint form and mail it to the Committee at:

   State Board of Marriage and Family Examiners
   Professional Counselor Examiners Committee
   P.O. Box 45044
   Newark, NJ 07101

7. What is the difference between a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?

   A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) may practice counseling, counseling interventions, appraisals and assessment, consulting, and referral and research activities, pursuant to N.J.A.C 13:34-10.3(a).

   A Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) may practice counseling, counseling interventions, appraisal and assessment, consulting, and referral and research activities, but MUST work under the direct supervision of a qualified supervisor, pursuant to N.J.A.C 13:34-10.3(b).

Application Questions

1. How do I apply to become a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC)?

   The LAC application can be found on the Committee's applications page.

   Education Requirement, N.J.A.C. 13:34-11.5:  A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution that consists of 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) in counseling

   • 45 of the 60 must be in "counseling" and satisfy eight (8) of the nine (9) categories.
   
   
   • Do not forget to have your college/university forward your official master's degree transcripts directly to the Committee.  Student copies are not acceptable.
   
   Exam Requirement, N.J.A.C. 13:34-11.6: Passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE)
   • If you have not taken the NCE through your college or university, you will check off the box on the application that indicates that you are applying for the Committee's permission to sit for the exam.

2. How do I apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)?

   The LPC application can be found on the Committee's applications page.

   Education RequirementN.J.A.C. 13:34-11.2: A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution that consists of 60 graduate semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) in counseling

   • 45 of the 60 must be in "counseling" and satisfy eight (8) of the nine (9) categories on page No. 9 of the application.
   
   
   • Do not forget to have your college/university forward your official master's transcripts directly to the Committee. Student copies are not acceptable.
   
   Experience Requirement, N.J.A.C 13:34-11.3:
   
   OPTION A:
   • Documentation of 4,500 supervised counseling experience hours (page no. 2 of the application).
   
   
   OPTION B:
   • If you have an additional 30 semester credits in "counseling" (for a total of 90 semester credits) you only need to submit 3,000 supervised counseling experience hours (page no. 2 of the application).
   
   
   • Exam Requirement, N.J.A.C 13:34-11.4: Passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
   
   
   • If you have not taken the NCE through your college or university, you will check off the box on the application that indicates that you are applying for the Committee's permission to sit for the exam.
   
   NOTE: If you have previously submitted an LAC application you do not need to resubmit official transcripts, the course distribution sheet or NCE scores.

3. Where can I find the applications?

   There is one application for permission to sit for the NCE, one to become an LAC, and one to become an LPC which can be found on our applications page.

4. Do I need to fill out a separate application to sit for the NCE and to be licensed as a Licensed Associate Counselor?

   No. If you have not taken the NCE through your accredited institution or prior state licensure, you will need to apply to the Committee for approval to sit for the exam. You will then also check the box to apply for your license as an LAC.

5. My master's degree was earned with less than 60 semester credits. What must I do?

   You must have a total of 60 graduate semester credits pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:8B-40(7)c and N.J.A.C 13:34-11.2(a)3. An applicant may take additional graduate coursework to acquire the additional credits he or she may need.

6. Once I've been approved to sit for the NCE, how do I register?

   Once you receive your approval letter to sit for the NCE, you need to contact the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) to schedule your exam date. Instructions will be provided in the approval letter. Additional information can be found here. at: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/proc/ncexam.pdf.

7. I've been fingerprinted before (e.g. Board of Education or for my employer). Do I have to be fingerprinted again?

   Only fingerprints done for the Division of Consumer Affairs may be shared by the Division's licensing boards and committees. You will not have to be fingerprinted if you have been previously fingerprinted for any other license or certificate issued by the Division.

8. I have an equivalent license in another state, can I apply for reciprocity?

   Yes. In order to apply for reciprocity, applicants must submit the following:
   

   1. Completed application for licensure, checking off reciprocity on the top right-hand corner of the application;
   2. $75.00 nonrefundable application fee;
   3. Verification of your license which much be sent directly to this Committee from the licensing Board or entity that issued your license. Verification of license must include national test scores and verification of supervised counseling experience;
   4. Official graduate transcripts which must be sent directly to this Committee from your college or university, and;
   5. Current resume or curriculum vitae.
   
   Applications are reviewed by the Committee at its monthly meetings, please check for the next scheduled meeting on the Committee's Meetings link.

Supervision Questions

1. Who is considered a qualified supervisor?

   To be considered a qualified supervisor, the proposed supervisor must submit a Plan of Supervision including documentation of his or her supervising credential directly to the Committee for their approval. For example, an LPC is considered a qualified supervisor if he or she has obtained the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) certificate OR has taken a three-credit graduate-level course in clinical supervision pursuant to N.J.A.C 13:34-13.1(a)2.

2. What is a Proposed Plan of Supervision?

   A Proposed Plan of Supervision is to be completed by a qualified supervisor and shall outline the work setting, the licensed associate counselor's job description including the nature of his/her duties, and the supervisor's qualifications including but not limited to his or her resume pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-13.1(b).

3. When do I submit the Proposed Plan of Supervision?

   Your proposed qualified supervisor must directly submit the Proposed Plan of Supervision to the Committee after you have obtained your licensure as an LAC. The LAC license must be obtained prior to accruing the 4,500 hours required for LPC licensure pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-11.3(a)1 and N.J.S.A. 45:8B-50.

4. Where can I find the Proposed Plan of Supervision form?

   http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pc/Applications/Plan-of-Supervision.pdf

5. Can the Proposed Plan of Supervision form be filled out online?

   No, it must be printed and sent by your supervisor directly to the Committee.

   State Board of Marriage and Family Examiners
   Professional Counselor Examiners Committee
   P.O. Box 45044
   Newark, NJ 07101

6. My proposed supervisor is already supervising other mental health licensees. Can she supervise me as well?

   Yes, a qualified supervisor may supervise up to a total of six (6) mental health licensees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-13.1(f).

7. I have a new supervisor or place of employment. Do I need to submit a new Proposed Plan of Supervision?

   Yes, the Committee must receive and approve a new Plan of Supervision for each of your supervisors and for each worksite

8. How often do I need to meet with my supervisor?And how many hours need to be face-to-face?

   At least 50 hours of face-to-face supervision per one calendar year, at the rate of one hour per week, of which not more than 10 hours may be group supervision pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-10.2, Definitions - "Supervision" or "Supervised."

9. I've completed a practicum/internship as part of my master's course work. Can I use those hours towards my supervision?

   Yes, you may use one (1) calendar year or 1,500 hours earned while enrolled in a practicum or internship during the time you were pursuing your master's degree as long as the practicum/internship is not used to satisfy the 45 hours distributed in the eight (8) areas of educational requirements for licensure pursuant to N.J.AC. 13:34-11.3(a)2.

   • To show proof of practicum/internship completion, the applicant's college/university should forward directly to the Committee a letter on its official letterhead indicating the hours the applicant has completed as part of his or her master's degree program.

10. When do I submit the documentation of supervision?

    Submission of Documentation of Supervision should be sent directly from your supervisor during the same period you are submitting your LPC application.

11. When do I submit the documentation of supervision?

    http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/pc/Applications/Documentation-of-Supervised-Counseling-Experience.pdf

12. Can the Documentation of Supervision form be filled out online?

    No, it must be printed and sent by your supervisor directly to the Committee.

    State Board of Marriage and Family Examiners
    Professional Counselor Examiners Committee
    P.O. Box 45044
    Newark, NJ 07101

Licensing Questions

1. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.
   

2. What do I need to do to renew my license?

   You will receive a letter in the mail approximately 60 days prior the November 30th deadline to renew your license. This letter will include instructions detailing how to renew your license online.

3. I paid for a two-year license and received a license renewal in the mail. Why?

   All licenses for LPCs and LACs expire every even-numbered (example: 2012, 2014, 2016) year on November 30th regardless of when it was originally issued. Those issued a license in the second year of the biennial period will be charged half of the licensing fee. See "FEE" section for additional fee information.

4. What is a biennial period?

   A biennial period covers two (2) years.

5. I've changed my name (e.g., marriage, divorce, etc.) and I've moved to a new address. How do I update the Committee with my new information?

   Please contact the Committee's staff in writing to request an address change. Be sure to indicate if you would like this address to be your "address of record" which will be available to the public. Pox Office Box addresses may not be used as the primary mailing address which must include a street, city, state, and zip code - only as the address of record. If you change your name, remember to contact the Committee in writing and provide an official copy of legal documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, divorce decree, simple name change) pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-19.2(a) and (b).

6. How do I reinstate my license?

   Contact the Committee in writing to request the reinstatement of your license. You will be mailed instructions which will include the payment of past fees including a reinstatement fee, a request for proof of continuing education, and a request for an affidavit indicating your employment history since your license lapsed.

7. I'm an LPC in another state and will be moving to New Jersey in the next few months. Does New Jersey have reciprocity with any other states?

   You must meet New Jersey's licensing standards pursuant to N.J.A.C 13:34-12.1.

8. I'm moving to another state. How do I get a "letter of good standing" or certification of licensure? Is there a fee for this letter?

   You need to submit your request to the Committee in writing and provide the Committee with any forms that the other state requires to be filled out. There is a $40 fee for the letter which must accompany this request.

Continuing Education Questions

1. How many Continuing Education Units (CEU's) do I need for each biennial renewal period?

   40 CEU's are required every two (2) years pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.1. Five (5) CEU's must be in ethics and three (3) must be in social and cultural competency pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.2(b) and (c). Refer to N.J.A.C. 13:34-15 for a list of approved continuing education course/program providers.

2. I've completed more than 40 CEU's during the current biennial period. Can I carry over some CEU's into the next biennial period?

   You may carry a total of 10 CEU's into the next biennial period pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.2(e).

3. Can I complete my CEU's online?

   Yes, CEU's may be completed online

4. How do I know if a continuing education course has been approved by the Committee?

   Refer to N.J.A.C 13:34-15.4(a)1 for the list of approved course/program providers. The Committee itself does not approve continuing education courses or programs.

Fees Questions

Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-17.1
Please note that all fees are subject to change

1. How much is the application fee?

   $75

2. How much is the initial licensing fee?

   LPC during the first year of the biennial period: $250 
   LPC during the second year of the biennial period: $125
   LAC during the first year of the biennial period: $180
   LAC during the second year of the biennial period: $90

3. How much is the renewal fee?

   LPC: $250 
   LAC: $180

4. How much is the late renewal fee?

   $100

5. How much is the reinstatement fee?

   $150 plus the biennial fees due since the license lapsed.