How to become a Counselor in North Dakota

Learn how to earn your counseling licensure in ND

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

Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in North Dakota. 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 North Dakota counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners at (701)-255-3622 to make sure you are on the right track.

I'm a High School Graduate...

North Dakota counseling certification requires candidates to possess a master's degree in counseling or a related field. You may be a little ways away from completing a master's degree program, but you are in a great position to use your momentum to learn how you can begin chipping away at these educational requirements by starting a college degree program. So, keep it up and take the next step... learn how you can enroll in an Associate's degree program or Bachelor's degree program.

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 North Dakota.

Continue with the following steps to learn how to acquire your Licensed Associate Professional Counselor license in North Dakota, Or click here to learn how to acquire your Licensed Professional Counselor License.

Step Two:

To practice as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in North Dakota, you will first need to earn a two year license as a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) which will require a masters degree from an accredited institution.

Step Three:

After completing your master's level of education, you will want to download the North Dakota counseling license application for LAPC and submit the application to the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners. Included in the application is a two year plan of supervision that will allow you to obtain the work experience necessary to become a licensed professional counselor.

You may download the application from the following North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners webpage.

Step Four:

When the application has been approved by the Board, you will be eligible to take the National Counselor Examination.

More information about the exam is available on the NBCC website.

Step Five:

As a LAPC, you can begin the required supervised professional experience that you have outlined in the LAPC application. During your two years of supervised experience, you will need to complete 100 hours of direct supervision by an approved supervisor.

More details about the required professional experience and qualifying supervisors can be found in the Code section of the North Dakota Board's website.

Step Six:

Once the supervised experience has been completed, you can submit the North Dakota counseling licensure application to become an LPC to the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners. You will also need to have your supervisor send the forms documenting your completed supervision to the Board.

All documents need to be received by the Board before your LAPC license expires. You may download the application from the following North Dakota Board's webpage.

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Earn your North Dakota Clinical Professional Counseling License...

Follow the steps to learn how to acquire your Licensed Professional Counselor Licensure in North Dakota.

Step One:

To practice as a licensed professional clinical counselor in North Dakota you will need at least a masters degree from an accredited school. - Counseling programs in North Dakota

Step Two:

Part of your graduate degree should include a 800 hour practicum or internship. Two years of supervised clinical experience can be earned after receiving your masters degree.

More details about the work experience and qualifying supervisors can be found here.

Step Three:

Now, you will want to download the North Dakota Clinical Counseling licensure application and submit the application along with all supporting documents and fees to the North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners. The Board also requires that you include a 30 minute videotaped counseling session.

Details about the videotape are included in the application. You may download the application from this webpage.

Step Four:

The Board will review your application and notify you when you are eligible to take the National Mental Health Clinical Counseling Examination developed by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Information about the exam can be found on the NBCC website.

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