How to become a Counselor in Kansas

Learn how to earn your counseling licensure in KS

Click on the link that best describes your current situation...

Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in Kansas. Most requirements such as earning your Master's degree, completing 3000 hours of supervised experience and passing the NCE examination have been and will continue to be mandatory in the Kansas counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board at (785) 296-3240 to make sure you are on the right track.

I'm a High School Graduate...

As a high school graduate looking in to the process of Kansas counseling licensure, you are ahead of the pack.

The first step you should be taking right now is to learn how you can enroll in an Associate degree program or Bachelor degree program. In the meantime, you will have ample opportunity to learn more about career opportunities in counseling and psychology fields across the state of Kansas.

Click on the links below to browse schools offering programs in psychology or counseling.

Once you have enrolled in a program, take advantage of your school's career services department and learn how you can find employment or volunteer opportunities that are related to the counseling career path.

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I've already received my Bachelor's degree...

Once you have your bachelor's degree, you will need to find a school offering a master's or doctoral degree program in counseling.

Step One:

Click on the links below to contact schools offering Master's or PhD programs in counseling or related field.

Or request information from additional schools offering counseling programs in Kansas.

Continue to learn how to acquire your Clinical Professional Counseling Licensure in Kansas, or click here to learn how to earn you Professional Counseling Licensure.

Step Two:

Once your educational requirements are fulfilled, you can begin your professional experience. This should include at least two years equaling 4000 hours, 1500 of these hours should be direct client counseling. The required work experience needs to be under the supervision of a Kansas Board approved supervisor.

Find more information about the hourly requirements and supervisor qualifications on the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board website.

Step Three:

Now you can download and submit the Kansas Clinical Professional Counselor license application along with any other needed forms and fees to the Kansas Regulatory Board.

You may download the appropriate Kansas counseling licensure application here.

Step Four:

After the Board has approved your application, they will contact you. You will then be eligible to take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor's Exam (NCMHCE).

Find more information about the exam here.

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Learn how to earn your Professional Counseling License in Kansas...

Follow the steps to learn how to acquire your Professional Counseling Licensure in Kansas.

Step One:

To practice as a licensed professional counselor in Kansas, you will need at least a masters degree including the required coursework and a practicum or internship included in the program.

More information regarding these program requirements for Kansas professional counseling licensure can be found on the following Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board webpage.

Step Two:

The practicum needs to meet the hourly requirements for licensure and be under the supervision of a Kansas Board approved supervisor.

More information about practicum requirements is available here.

Step Three:

At this point you can download the Kansas Professional Counselor license application and submit it to the Board including all other forms and fees that are needed.

You can download your application here.

Step Four:

The Kansas Regulatory Board will contact you once they have approved your application to let you know you are eligible to take the National Counselor's Exam (NCE).

Find more information about the exam on the NBCC website.

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