Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in Arkansas. Most of these requirements, such as earning your Master’s degree, completing 3000 hours of supervised experience and passing the NCE examination, are likely to continue to be mandatory in the Alaska counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the Arkansas State Board of Examiners in Counseling at (870) 901-7055 to make sure you are on the right track.
I’m a High School Graduate
Well, congratulations for being motivated! Doing this kind of career research early can pay off in a big way later. There are two main steps you should consider in order to set yourself up for success as an Arkansas counselor:
1. Begin Working on Your Higher Education
Click on the links below to browse schools offering programs you are currently qualified to begin!
2. Gain Experience in a Counseling Environment
The following are organizations that provide volunteering opportunities in Arkansas. Many volunteer options require similar mentalities for success as actual counseling positions, making volunteering a useful way to get in touch with the counseling field before you’re qualified to be a full-fledged counselor.
Already Received Bachelor’s Degree
Once you have your bachelor’s degree, you can start looking for a school that offers a master’s or doctoral degree program in counseling. To gain the required educational qualifications, you can request information from schools offering counseling programs in Arkansas.
Step One:
After receiving a master’s degree, an Arkansas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) needs to begin 3 or more years of supervised full-time professional experience in counseling. One year can be gained with every 30 graduate semester hours in counseling completed.
An LAC does not need to meet these requirements but must always practice under supervision.
You can find more information regarding experience requirements as well as links to download application materials on the following Arkansas Board of Examiners of Counseling webpage.
Step Two:
Once you are ready to apply, submit a Statement of Professional Intent outlining your plan of practice as a counselor, letters of recommendation, and documentation of supervised professional experience. All of these forms plus the general application for both LPC and LAC can be found on the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling website.
Step Three:
Once your application is accepted, there is a written and oral exam to be passed. First, apply for the written exam; once that is passed, you may take the oral. Details and contact information can be found here.
When you become licensed, make sure to renew your Arkansas counseling license every other year. You should be sent reminders from the Board; however, if you let your license expire, the application process must be redone in its entirety.