Below are basic guidelines for those wishing to earn their counseling certification in New Jersey. Most of these requirements, such as earning your Master’s degree, completing 3200 hours of supervised experience and passing the NCE examination, are likely to continue to be mandatory in the New Jersey counseling licensure process. However, it is wise to contact the New Jersey Professional Counselor Examiners at (973) 504-6582 to make sure you are on the right track.
I’m a High School Graduate
As a high school graduate researching what it takes to earn a New Jersey counseling certification, you are showing a great amount of motivation and foresight. You simply cannot begin researching future career options too early these days. However, don’t let your early motivation be in vane. Use your momentum to make one of the most important decisions in your life, gain a college education. New Jersey counseling licensure requires all candidates to possess a master’s level of education.
Your next step should be to 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.
Already Received Bachelor’s Degree
Once you have your bachelor’s degree, it’s wise to start looking for a school that offers a master’s or doctoral degree program in counseling. You can request information from counseling schools in New Jersey to get started.
Step One:
Satisfy the supervised professional counseling experience requirements of either 4500 hours or 3000 hours + 30 graduate semester hours beyond a Master’s degree. 1 year may be completed prior to the completion of your graduate degree program.
At least 2 years of supervised professional counseling experience must be in a professional counseling setting. For more specific information regarding supervised experience requirements and what constitutes an approved supervisor, download the Professional Counselor Regulations Document which is downloadable off the following New Jersey Counseling Examiner’s website.
Step Three:
Next, successfully pass the National Counselor Examination. Information about the New Jersey counseling certification examination, such as locations, dates, contents, and registration, can be found on the NBCC website.
Step Four:
Finally, download, complete and submit the New Jersey counseling license application along with all fees and additional required documentation to the New Jersey Counselor Examiners Board.
You may download the form from here.