Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL LPC LMFT PLPC PLMFT LPC-S LMFT-S TELETHERAPY

GENERAL

What is the role of the LPC Board?

The role of the LPC Board is to determine whether applicants are eligible for registrations or licenses and to investigate accusations of illegal, unethical, or inappropriate practice of mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy in Louisiana. State laws and Board Rules govern our actions. We are not able to advise individual licensees or registrants regarding their practices. Legal questions should be directed to attorneys and questions regarding interactions with agencies or companies should be directed to administrators within those entities.

What professional titles are recognized by the LPC Board?

The only titles recognized by the LPC Board are Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S), Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and LMFT-Supervisor (LMFT-S). The LPC Board does not recognize the titles Mental Health Professional/MHP, LPC Intern/LPC-I, LMFT Intern/LMFT-I or any variation thereof.

How do I file a complaint against a licensee?

You may fill out a Complaint Form.

When does my paperwork need to be submitted to the Board for review?

Traditional:
Applicants can find the dates of the currently scheduled application review dates on the LPC
Board calendar. The submission deadline is seven days prior to the meeting date. Applicants are
encouraged to check the website calendar often, as meeting dates are subject to change.
Applicants will be notified via the online dashboard. All correspondence regarding licensure or denial of licensure will be sent out within 2 weeks of board review.

Expedited:
To apply for expedited processing, the applicant must submit all necessary application materials
along with the Expedited Processing Application and expedited processing fee of $60. The
applicant will receive a response from a Board Staff member within five (5) business days of
receipt of their completed application informing the applicant of the status of their application.

*Please note that all applicants whom Board staff determines should be denied or reviewed by
the Board must be presented to the Board at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting.

*Please click here to watch a tutorial on how to apply for licensure

How do I change my name on file with the Board?

You can find the Name Change Request Form on your Dashboard by logging in and navigating to "Forms" > "Name Change Form." In the online name change form, you will attach documentation of your legal name change in the form of a copy of your driver's license or social security card and an updated Declaration/Statement of Practices and Procedures reflecting your new legal name to the Board Office.

Please be advised that you must notify the Board of any and all contact information changes within 30 days of the change pursuant to Chapter 1, Section 111 of the Board Rules or you will be required to pay the $50 Failure of Notification fee.

§111. Notification of Change

A. Every licensed or provisional licensed professional counselor and every licensed or provisional licensed marriage and family therapist shall immediately notify in writing the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners of any and all changes in name, address, and phone number. Failure to comply with this rule within 30 days of change will result in a fine as set forth in §901.C.

How do I update my contact information with the Board?

You may update your contact information on your dashboard after logging into your account. If you are updating a work address, you must email, mail, or fax an updated Statement or Declaration of Practices and Procedures to the Board Office as well as upload this to your online dashboard under the Employment tab.

Please be advised that you must notify the Board of any and all contact information changes within 30 days pursuant to Chapter 1, Section 111 of the Board Rules. Otherwise, you may be subject to a fine.

§111. Notification of Change

How do I request testing accommodations?

Testing accommodations MUST be on the doctor’s official letterhead (not the NBCC accommodation request form, as the procedure for accommodations request has since changed). On the doctor’s/qualified professional’s (licensed physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist) official letterhead, the testing accommodations request must:

-Be dated within five years of the request;
-Include the candidate’s full name, date of birth, diagnosis, and recommended accommodation(s); and
-Be signed by a licensed, qualified professional, including credentials (licensure or certification).

You may mail, email, or fax this documentation to the Louisiana LPC Board.

-Mailing address: 11410 Lake Sherwood Ave North, Ste. A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
-Email: databoard@lpcboard.org
-Fax: 225-295-8448

TELETHERAPY

What is Teletherapy?

Teletherapy is defined as a method of delivering mental health counseling, psychotherapy, and marriage and family therapy services as prescribed by R.S. 37:1101 and R.S. 37:1116 using interactive technology-assisted media to facilitate prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, relational, and addiction disorders to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public that enables a licensee and a client(s) separated by distance to interact via synchronous video and audio transmission.

Who can provide Teletherapy?

Any individual licensed or provisionally licensed by the LA LPC Board may provide Teletherapy services if the individual has met all of the requirements in Chapter 5, Section 505 of the Board Rules and their professional training has been approved by the Board.

Is Teletherapy a Privileging Designation?

No, but it is a Specialty Area/Area of Expertise and it does require Board approval. Licensees who wish to provide Teletherapy must provide the Board with documentation of completion of training in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 5, Section 505 of the Board Rules and an updated Declaration or Statement of Practice reflecting their Teletherapy qualification.

What kind of professional training do I need to achieve in order to provide Teletherapy? How can I be approved to provide Teletherapy?

Licensees who wish to provide Teletherapy must provide the Board with documentation of completion of the following:

Professional training with a minimum of three asynchronous or synchronous clock hours in teletherapy. The training shall meet continuing education standards established by the board. Teletherapy education/training shall include but is not limited to:

i. appropriateness of teletherapy;
ii. teletherapy theory and practice;

iii. theory integration;
iv. modes of delivery;
v. risk management;
vi. managing emergencies;
vii. legal/ethical issues;
viii. HIPAA compliance.

(Note: Board Staff may request additional documentation to determine that all Teletherapy training requirements have been fulfilled.)

How can I be approved to provide Teletherapy?

1. Log in to your Dashboard and upload certificate of completion of your Teletherapy training (in accordance with Teletherapy training requirements in Section 505 of the Board Rules; see above) to the CEH Tab of your Dashboard.

2. Submit a Declaration/Informed Consent for Teletherapy services that includes information regarding all of the following items (see Chapter 5, Section 505.F of the Board Rules):

a. mode and parameter of technology-assisted media(s), and [protocol to follow in the event of] technical failure

b. scheduling and structure of teletherapy

c. risks of teletherapy

d. privacy and limits of confidentiality

e. contact between sessions

f. emergency plan [specifically for clients receiving Teletherapy services]

g. consultation and coordination of care with other professionals

h. referrals and termination of services

i. information and record keeping

j. billing and third-party payor [whether these differ for Teletherapy services from that for in-person services, and any other pertinent information]

k. ethical and legal rights, responsibilities, and limitations within and across state lines and/or international boundaries.

Specifically, please see the following from Section 505.D of the Board Rules:

"Licensees shall provide services consistent with the jurisdictional licensing laws and rules in both the jurisdiction in which licensee is physically located and where the client is physically located. Licensees providing teletherapy services to clients outside of Louisiana must comply with the regulations in the state in which the client is located at the time of service. The licensee shall contact the licensing board in the state where the client is located and document all relevant regulations regarding teletherapy. A nonresident of Louisiana who wishes to provide teletherapy health services in Louisiana must be licensed by the board."

(Note: You may either include this information in a section of your Declaration that you provide to all of your clients, or may wish to include this information regarding Teletherapy in an Addendum to your Declaration.)

**Click here for a Teletherapy Addendum sample (this must be included with your email and continuing education).

If you are a LPC/LMFT please upload the Teletherapy Declaration/Informed Consent Addendum to your Online Dashboard > Employment > Submit Declaration of Practice and email databoard@lpcboard.org and request review of your Teletherapy materials.

If you are a provisional licensee please email your Teletherapy Declaration/Informed Consent Addendum to databoard@lpcboard.org and request review of your Teletherapy materials.

Teletherapy requests are reviewed and processed by Board Staff on a monthly basis. Once Teletherapy materials have been reviewed and approved, licensees will receive correspondence from Board Staff stating whether he/she is approved to practice Teletherapy. The online dashboard may reflect approval before you receive correspondence.

Without Board approval to practice Teletherapy, licensees should NOT practice Teletherapy Services (see Chapter 5, Section 505 of the Board Rules).

LPC

What is an LPC's Scope of Practice?

Licensed Professional Counselor—any fully licensed person (i.e. one who may practice independently as specified in R.S. 37:1107(A)) who holds oneself out to the public for a fee or other personal gain, by any title or description of services incorporating the words "licensed professional counselor" or any similar term, and who offers to render professional mental health counseling/psychotherapy services denoting a client-counselor relationship in which the counselor assumes the responsibility for knowledge, skill, and ethical consideration needed to assist individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public, and who implies that he/she is licensed to practice mental health counseling.

Mental Health Counseling/Psychotherapy Services—rendering or offering prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, which includes psychotherapy of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public by a licensed or provisional licensed professional counselor which is consistent with his/her professional training as prescribed by R.S. 37:1107(A)(8), and Code of Ethics/behavior involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the mental health counseling profession. However, nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person licensed or provisionally licensed hereunder to administer or interpret tests in accordance with the provision of R.S. 37:2352(5), except as provided by LAC 46:LXIII.1702.E, or engage in the practice of psychology or to prescribe, either orally or in writing, distribute, dispense, or administer any medications.

What are the requirements for LPC Licensure?

You must have completed a minimum of 3,000 supervision hours, remained under active Board-approved supervision for at least 24 months, and have passed the NCE or NCMHCE exam in order to apply for LPC licensure. To apply, you must submit your Documentation of Experience Form(s) signed by you and your Board-approved supervisor(s), a LPC licensure application, an updated Declaration of Practices and Procedures, a $200 licensure application fee, official NCE or NCMHCE test scores (sent directly from the NBCC), and a photo. You can access the LPC Application and application instructions here.

I already submitted an application when I applied for Provisional Licensure as a PLPC. Do I need to submit another application for LPC licensure?

Yes. You must submit the LPC Application and submit all necessary application materials in addition to paying the application fee. Click here to watch how to apply for licensure.

Can I apply additional graduate coursework toward my 3,000 hours of supervised experience toward LPC licensure?

Yes. For every 30 hours of additional graduate coursework earned beyond the required 60-hour master's degree, you may earn 500 hours of indirect client contact hours. You may earn up to 1,000 indirect client contact hours through additional coursework. The Board must approve the graduate coursework to be counted as part of your supervised experience hours. Additional coursework can only be reviewed at the time of submission of the PLPC Application or LPC Application. You can find more information about this provision in Chapter 6, Section 605 of the Board Rules.

Which examination does the LPC Board accept for LPC Licensure? Do I have to take the test prior to applying for Provisional Licensure?

The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) are the only tests currently accepted by the Board for LPC licensure. These exams do not have to be taken prior to PLPC application, but either exam must be attempted at least once per PLPC renewal period until a passing score is achieved. The Board must be in receipt of official exam scores sent directly from the NBCC for provisional licensure renewal. An official passing score report must be received by the Board for applications for LPC Licensure.

How do I register to take the NCE or the NCMHCE?

Interested applicants should visit the National Board of Certified Counselor's (NBCC) website or contact them at (336) 547-0607 to register and gather other information about the exam. The LPC Board does not offer registration for any LPC licensure exams.

Exam Registration link: http://www.nbcc.org/Assets/StateForms/Reg/LA.pdf

How do I apply for the LPC license in Louisiana if I currently hold an LPC license (or equivalent) in another state?

In order to apply for licensure, you will need to submit an LPC Licensure by Endorsement Application, a $300 non-refundable application fee, a criminal records checks with the forms provided, a Declaration of Practices and Procedures, and a recent photo. The length of time you have been licensed as an LPC in another state will determine what additional information we will ask you to submit for review. You may review our Out-of-State licensing requirements for LPCs here.

Licensed Less Than 5 Years:

Those out-of-state applicants who have not been licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor for at least five years must request a copy of their entire LPC licensure file to be sent to the Louisiana LPC Board. The file copy should contain graduate transcripts, documentation of post-graduate supervised experience hours, and NCE or NCMHCE scores. Additionally, the State Board where you are currently licensed must provide verification of current licensure.

The state where the applicant is currently licensed must have licensure, academic and supervision experience requirements deemed substantially equivalent to those of Louisiana.

Licensed 5 or More Years:

If you are military or a military spouse you may be endorsed if you are fully licensed and have been in good standing in your current jurisdiction for two years or more. You will complete your application as an endorsement candidate and email military orders to credspec@lpcboard.org.

Applicants who have been licensed for five or more years do not have to meet all of the substantial equivalency requirements for licensure, academic or supervision requirements. In addition to the above materials, these applicants must provide a letter from a colleague or supervisor indicating that they have been actively practicing for five or more years, hold a current LPC license, and have passed either the NCE or the NCMHCE. Applicants must also provide the Board with documentation of forty (40) continuing education hours in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 7 of the Board Rules.

Is there a special designation for Appraisal Privileges?

Yes. You can find our LPC Appraisal Privileging Designation application and application instructions on your account dashboard under "Forms".

How often must an LPC renew his/her license?

LPCs must renew their license every two years by June 30th in order to practice mental health counseling lawfully in Louisiana. Renewal requirements for LPCs are listed in Chapter 7 of the Board Rules. Licensees who do not submit a completed renewal application by the deadline will be automatically audited. Audits also require a criminal record check and a $60 late fee.

What does it mean if I am Audited?

10% of licensees renewing each year will be randomly audited. If audited, Board staff will review the 40 continuing education hours that you submitted to ensure that they are in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 7, Section 707 of the Board Rules.

Do I need to upload documentation of my Continuing Education Hours if I am not Audited?

Yes. Licensees must upload documentation of their CEHs with their renewal application in order to renew their license. You may refer to Chapter 7, Section 707 of the Board Rules for types of documentation needed for verification.

Please click here to watch how to submit CEHs

What kind of documentation of Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) do I upload?

Types of documentation needed for Continuing Education verification per Chapter 7, Section 707 of the Board Rules:

1.) copy of certificate of attendance for workshops, seminars, or conventions;

2.) copy of transcript for coursework taken for credit/letter of attendance from instructor for courses audited;

3.) home study verification form or certificate issued by NBCC/ACA/LCA;

4.) letter from workshop/convention coordinator verifying presentations;

5.) copy of article, cover and editorial board page for publications;

6.) letter from counseling mental health professional verifying number of hours in counseling as a client;

7.) letter from the faculty member or researcher verifying number of hours in research;

8.) letter or certificate from the LPC Board of Examiners, or from the board-approved counseling service organization, verifying number of hours of service.

How do I apply to become an LPC-Supervisor (LPC-S)?

Individuals interested in becoming an LPC-Supervisor must hold a current LPC license and have a minimum of 3 years of post-licensure experience. LPC-Supervisor applicants must provide the Board with documentation of training in supervision that occured within the last 5 years and a letter from a colleague or supervisor verifying their practice. The LPC-S Application and application instructions can be accessed here..

Additionally, if you wish to list any areas of expertise or specialization on your Declaration of Practices and Procedures and the Board’s website, you must provide documentation (e.g., transcripts, certificates, letter from supervisor) with your LPC-S application for Board review. Otherwise, you should refer to these areas as “areas of focus".

LMFT

What is an LMFT's Scope of Practice?

Marriage and Family Therapy—the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in an individual and relational disorders in couples and families.

Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy—the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy and psychotherapy services, limited to prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, relational, and addiction disorders to individuals, couples, and families, singularly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through either public or private organizations for a fee, monetary or otherwise in accordance with professional training as prescribed by R.S. 37:1116 and the code of ethics/behavior involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the marriage and family therapy profession.

What are the requirements for LMFT licensure?

You must have completed a minimum of 3,000 supervision hours, remained under active, Board-approved supervision for at least 24 months, and have passed the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (NMFTE) in order to apply for LMFT licensure. To apply, you must submit your Documentation of Experience Form(s) signed by you and your Board-approved supervisor(s), an updated Statement of Practices and Procedures, an LMFT licensure application, a $200 licensure application fee, official NMFTE test scores, and a photo. You can access the LMFT Application and application instructions here.

I already submitted an application when I applied for Provisional Licensure as a PLMFT. Do I need to submit another application and fee for LMFT licensure?

Yes. You must submit the LMFT Application and include all necessary application materials in addition to payment of the application fee.

How long do I need to be under Board-approved supervision before I can apply for LMFT licensure?

Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists must remain under active Board-approved supervision for no less than two years, but no more than six years. Please be advised that PLMFTs must remain under active supervision until licensed if they are providing Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy services—even in the event they have completed the minimum requirement of 3,000 supervised experience hours and/or passed the NMFTE.

How do I register to take the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (NMFTE)?

You must submit a request in writing to the LPC Board via email (adminboard2@lpcboard.org) stating your name and your wish to register for the NMFTE. If approved, ProExam will then contact you with information regarding confirmation of your registration and testing date information.

How do I apply for the LMFT license in Louisiana if I currently hold an LMFT license (or equivalent) in another state?

In order to apply for licensure, you will need to submit an LMFT Licensure by Endorsement Application, a $300 non-refundable application fee, a criminal records check on the forms provided by the board, a Statement of Practices and Procedures, and a recent photo. The length of time you have been licensed as an LMFT in another state will determine what additional information we will ask you to submit for review. You may review our Out-of-State licensing requirements for LMFTs here.

Licensed Less Than 5 Years:

Those out-of-state applicants who have not been licensed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for at least five years must request a copy of their entire LMFT licensure file to be sent to the Louisiana LPC Board. The file copy should contain graduate transcripts, documentation of post-graduate supervised experience hours, and NMFTE scores. Additionally, the State Board where you are currently licensed must provide verification of current licensure.

The licensure, academic and supervision experience requirements must be substantially equivalent to those of Louisiana.

Licensed 5 or More Years:

Applicants who have been licensed for five or more years do not have to meet all of the substantial equivalency requirements for licensure, academic or supervision requirements. In addition to the above materials, these applicants must provide a letter from a colleague or supervisor indicating that they have been actively practicing for five or more years, hold a current LMFT license, and have passed the NMFTE. Applicants must also provide the Board with documentation of forty (40) continuing education hours in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 35 of the Board Rules.

How often must an LMFT renew his/her license?

LMFTs must renew their license every two years by December 31st in order to practice mental health counseling and use the title of “Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist” lawfully in Louisiana. Renewal requirements for LMFTs are listed in Chapter 35 of the Board Rules. 10% of those renewing each year will be randomly audited. If audited, you will be required to submit documentation of 40 continuing education hours in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 35 of the Board Rules. Licensees who do not submit a completed renewal application by the deadline will be automatically audited and assessed a late fee.

Those licensed marriage and family therapists who hold another license that requires continuing education hours may count the continuing education hours obtained for that license towards their LMFT CEU requirements. Of the 40 CEUs submitted, at least 20 hours must be in the area of marriage and family therapy with an emphasis upon systemic approaches or the theory, research, or practice of systemic psychotherapeutic work with couples or families including three hours of ethics specific to marriage and family therapy.

What kind of Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) do I need to renew my LMFT license?

LMFT CEH requirements can be found in Chapter 35, Section 3503 of the Board Rules. LMFTs must earn 40 CEHs, including 6 in Diagnosis and 3 specific to LMFT Ethics. Those Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists who hold another license that requires continuing education hours may count the continuing education hours obtained for that license towards their LMFT Continuing Education requirements. Of the 40 CEHs submitted, at least 20 hours must be in the area of marriage and family therapy with an emphasis upon systemic approaches or the theory, research, or practice of systemic psychotherapeutic work with couples or families including three hours of ethics specific to marriage and family therapy.

What does it mean if I am Audited?

Do I need to upload documentation of my Continuing Education Hours if I am not Audited?

Yes. Licensees must upload documentation of their CEHs with their renewal application in order to renew their license. You may refer to Chapter 35, Section 3503 of the Board Rules for types of documentation needed for verification.

PLPC

How do I change LPC Supervisors?

PLPCs changing Board-approved supervisors must submit the PLPC Change/Add Supervisor Application, a $50 application fee, a Documentation of Experience Form documenting the hours accrued with their current Board-approved supervisor, and an updated Declaration of Practices and Procedures.

PLPCs must remain under the supervision of their current Board-approved supervisor until their new Board-approved supervisor has been approved. If supervision with their current Board-approved supervisor is terminated before a new supervisor is approved, they must discontinue practicing mental health counseling until a new supervisor is approved.

Please click here for a list of board approved supervisors (LPC-S)

Can I have more than one LPC Supervisor?

Yes! Please fill out the PLPC Change/Add Supervisor Application.

Please click here for a list of board approved supervisors (LPC-S)

What do I have to do to become licensed as an LPC?

In order to be eligible for LPC licensure, PLPCs must remain under active Board-approved supervision for no less than two years, but no more than six years. PLPCs must pass the NCE or the NCMHCE and document a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-masters supervised experience in mental health counseling under a Board-approved LPC Supervisor. Licensing requirements for LPCs can be found in Chapter 6 of our Board Rules.

When and how do I renew my provisional license?

PLPCs must renew their provisional license every two years by October 31st in order to practice mental health counseling lawfully in Louisiana. Renewal requirements for PLPCs are listed in Chapter 6, Sections 609-611 of the Board Rules, and a brief description of the renewal process can be found here.

You will need to submit the PLPC Renewal Application located under "Forms" on your dashboard, the $85 Renewal Fee, documentation of 20 CEHs, an updated Declaration of Practices and Procedures, and an official NCE or NCMHCE score report issued directly from the NBCC to the LA LPC Board.

What does it mean if I am audited?

10% of renewing licensees will be randomly audited. If audited, the board staff will manually review the documentation of 20 continuing education hours in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 6 of the Board Rules.

Licensees who do not submit a completed renewal application by the deadline will be audited, required to submit a criminal records check on board approved forms (found under Forms) and assessed a $60 late fee.

What kind of Continuing Education do I need and how often do I need it?

PLPC continuing education requirements can be found in Chapter 6, Sections 609-611 of the Board Rules.

PLPCs must accrue a minimum of 20 CEHs (Continuing Education Hours) each renewal period (two years) including a minimum of 1.5 hours in Ethics and 1.5 hours in Diagnosis (assessment, diagnosis, and treatment under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5, as published by the American Psychiatric Association). A generic ethics course is not acceptable.

What kind of documentation of CEHs do I upload?

Types of documentation needed for verification:

1. copy of certificate of attendance for workshops, seminars, or conventions;

2. copy of transcript for coursework taken for credit/letter of attendance from instructor for courses audited;

3. home study verification form or certificate issued by NBCC/ACA/LCA;

4. letter from workshop/convention coordinator verifying presentations;

5. copy of article, cover and editorial board page for publications;

6. letter from counseling mental health professional verifying number of hours in counseling as a client;

7. letter from the faculty member or researcher verifying number of hours in research;

8. letter or certificate from the LPC Board of Examiners, or from the board-approved counseling service organization, verifying number of hours of service.

What if I just took the NCE/NCMHCE and the scores have not been released yet, but I need a score report to renew my PLPC license?

In lieu of an official score report and for the purpose of renewal ONLY, the Board Office will accept an email directly from the NBCC to the LA LPC Board verifying your name and the date that you sat for the exam.

How do I register to take the NCE or the NCMHCE?

Interested applicants should visit the National Board of Certified Counselor's (NBCC) website or contact them at 1-336-547-0607 to find out information about the exam and registering to take the exam. The LPC Board does not offer registration for any LPC licensure exams.

I need to renew my PLPC license and I have not taken the NCE/NCMHCE yet. Can I renew without taking the exam?

Attempting either the NCE or NCMHCE is a requirement for renewal. PLPCs must attempt the exam at least once every renewal period until a passing score is achieved. If all renewal materials are not received by the Board by October 31st, then your provisional license will lapse. Please be advised that it is unlawful to provide mental health counseling services with a lapsed or expired license.

I let my PLPC license lapse. Can I still renew?

Yes! You will need to submit all regular renewal materials to the Board including the $60 late renewal fee. Please be advised that all late renewals are audited. Provisional licensees have a 90-day lapse period in which they can renew late. If the Board Office does not receive all late renewal materials by January 31st, then your provisional license will expire.

I let my PLPC license expire. Can I still renew?

No. You must reapply for the PLPC license under our current licensing requirements.

If I allow my provisional license to expire and reapply, am I able to retain my supervised experience hours?

No. Once you allow your provisional license to lapse, all previously accrued supervised experience hours are forfeited. You must apply for a new provisional license.

LCA FAQ: PLPCs working with Medicaid

Please see this statement from the Louisiana Counseling Association for LCA FAQs regarding PLPCs and working with LA Medicaid.

What is a LMHP?

The LMHP must hold a current unencumbered license in their area of practice from the appropriate licensing board of the State of Louisiana. One must be licensed in the State of Louisiana and practice within the scope of all applicable state laws and their professional license. An LMHP includes individuals licensed to practice independently and regulated thru the various behavioral health licensing boards: Physicians (Psychiatrists), Medical Psychologists, Licensed Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Addiction Counselors (LACs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) note: an APRN must be a nurse practitioner specialist in Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health, and Family Psychiatric & Mental Health, Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health, and Child-Adolescent Mental Health and may practice to the extent that services are within the APRN's scope of practice.

What is a PLPC's Scope of Practice?

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor—any person by title or description of services incorporating the words "provisional licensed professional counselor" and who, under board-approved supervision (i.e. may not practice independently), renders professional mental health counseling/psychotherapy services denoting a client-counselor relationship in which the licensee assumes the responsibility for knowledge, skill, and ethical consideration needed to assist individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public, and who implies that he/she is provisionally licensed to practice mental health counseling.

Mental Health Counseling/Psychotherapy Services— rendering or offering prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, which includes psychotherapy of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public by a licensed or provisional licensed professional counselor which is consistent with his/her professional training as prescribed by R.S. 37:1107(A)(8), and Code of Ethics/behavior involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the mental health counseling profession. However, nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person licensed or provisionally licensed hereunder to administer or interpret tests in accordance with the provision of R.S. 37:2352(5), except as provided by LAC 46:LXIII.1702.E, or engage in the practice of psychology or to prescribe, either orally or in writing, distribute, dispense, or administer any medications.

Active Supervision—the process by which a supervisee receives one hour of face-to-face supervision with his/her board-approved supervisor for every 20 hours of direct client contact or at least once every three-month period.

PLMFT

How do I change LMFT Supervisors?

PLMFTs changing Board-approved supervisors must submit the PLMFT Change/Add Supervisor Application, a $50 application fee, a Documentation of Experience Form documenting the hours accrued with their current Board-approved supervisor, and an updated Statement of Practices and Procedures.

PLMFTs must remain under the supervision of their current Board-approved supervisor until their new Board-approved supervisor has been approved. If supervision with their current Board-approved supervisor is terminated before a new supervisor is approved, they must discontinue practicing mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy until a new supervisor is approved.

How do I change my practice setting or add a new one?

Please fill out the PLMFT Change/Add Practice Setting Application and email, mail, or fax a copy of your updated Statement of Practices and Procedures to the Board Office.

Please be advised that if this documentation is not received within thirty (30) days of your initial employment date, you will be subject to a fine of $50 and will forfeit all supervised experience hours accrued at your practice setting. Furthermore, if the Board does not approve your new
practice setting as appropriate, you will forfeit all supervised experience hours previously
accrued at said practice setting.

Can I have more than one LMFT Supervisor?

Yes! Please fill out the PLMFT Change/Add Supervisor Application.

What do I have to do to become licensed as an LMFT?

In order to be eligible for LMFT licensure, PLMFTs must remain under active Board-approved supervision for no less than two years, but no more than six years. PLMFTs must pass the NMFTE and document a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-masters supervised experience in marriage and family therapy under a Board-approved LMFT Supervisor. Licensing requirements for LMFTs can be found in Chapter 33 of our Board Rules.

When and how do I renew my PLMFT license?

PLMFTs must renew their provisional license every two years by October 31st in order to practice mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy lawfully in Louisiana. Renewal requirements for PLMFTs are listed in Chapter 33, Section 3315 of the Board Rules, and a brief description of the renewal process can be found here.

You will need to submit the PLMFT Renewal Application located under "Forms" on your dashboard, the $85 Renewal Fee, documentation of 20 CEHs, an updated Statement of Practices and Procedures, and an official NMFTE score report issued directly from the PTC to the LA LPC Board.

What does it mean if I am audited?

10% of renewing licensees will be randomly audited. If audited, you will be required to submit documentation of 20 continuing education hours in accordance with the requirements in Chapter 33 of the Board Rules.

Licensees who do not submit a completed renewal application by the deadline will be automatically audited and assessed a late fee.

What kind of Continuing Education do I need and how often do I need it?

PLMFT continuing education requirements can be found in Chapter 33, Section 3315 of the Board Rules.

PLMFTs must accrue a minimum of 20 CEHs (Continuing Education Hours) each renewal period (two years) including a minimum of 1.5 hours in LMFT Ethics and 1.5 hours in Diagnosis (assessment, diagnosis, and treatment under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as published by the American Psychiatric Association). The required training in diagnosis, assessment, and treatment under the DSM-5 may be specific to a particular condition and/or may be general training in diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. A generic ethics course is not acceptable.

I let my PLMFT license lapse. Can I still renew?

I let my PLMFT license expire. Can I still renew?

No. You must reapply for the PLMFT license under our current licensing requirements.

If I allow my provisional license to expire and reapply, am I able to retain my supervised experience hours?

No. Once you allow your provisional license to lapse, all previously accrued supervised experience hours are forfeited. You must apply for a new provisional license.

What kind of documentation of CEHs do I need to upload?

Types of documentation needed for continuing education:

1. copy of certificate of attendance for workshops, seminars, or conventions;

2. copy of transcript for coursework taken for credit/audit;

3. letter from workshop/convention coordinator verifying presentation;

4. copy of article plus the table of contents of the journal it appears in, copy of chapter plus table of contents for chapter authored for books, title page and table of contents for authoring or editing books, letter from conference coordinator or journal editor for reviewing refereed workshop presentations or journal articles.

How do I register to take the NMFTE?

You must submit a request in writing to the LPC Board via email (databoard@lpcboard.org) stating your name and your wish to register for the NMFTE. If approved, ProExam will then contact you with information regarding confirmation of your registration and testing date information.

What if I just took the NMFTE and the scores have not been released yet, but I need a score report to renew my PLMFT license?

In lieu of an official score report and for the purpose of renewal ONLY, the Board Office will accept an email directly from the PTC to the LA LPC Board verifying your name and the date that you sat for the exam.

I need to renew my PLMFT license and I have not taken the NMFTE yet. Can I renew my license without taking the exam?

Attempting the NMFTE is a requirement for renewal. PLMFTs must attempt the exam at least once every renewal period until a passing score is achieved. If all renewal materials are not received by the Board by October 31st, then your provisional license will lapse. Please be advised that it is unlawful to provide mental health counseling services and marriage and family therapy with a lapsed or expired license.

What is a PLMFT's Scope of Practice?

Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist— any person by title or description of services incorporating the words "provisional licensed marriage and family therapist" and who, under board-approved supervision (i.e. may not practice independently), renders marriage and family therapy denoting a client-therapist relationship in which the licensee assumes the responsibility for knowledge, skill, and ethical consideration needed to assist individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public, and who implies that he/she is provisionally licensed to practice marriage and family therapy.

Marriage and Family Therapy?the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in an individual and relational disorders in couples and families

LPCS

LPC-S

What’s the difference between an LPC-S and a Board-approved LPC-S?

Although you may be an LPC-S, this does not mean that you may begin supervising PLPCs. In order to comply with the Board Rules, LPC-Supervisors must be approved by the Board as the Board-approved LPC-S for each PLPC they wish to supervise. PLPCs are required to remain under the active supervision of their Board-Approved LPC-S while they are providing mental health counseling services until they are independently licensed as an LPC.

How do I apply to become a LPC-Supervisor?

Individuals interested in becoming an LPC-Supervisor must hold a current LPC license and have a minimum of 3 years of post-licensure experience. LPC-Supervisor applicants must provide the Board with documentation of training in supervision and a letter from a colleague or supervisor verifying their practice. The LPC-S Application and application instructions can be accessed here.

My PLPC wants to change supervisors. What paperwork and documentation should I submit?

I want to terminate my supervisory relationship with my PLPC. What paperwork and documentation should I submit?

If you with to terminate supervision with a PLPC, you must submit a Documentation of Experience Form. Additionally, please submit in writing the reason for the termination and the date of your last meeting with your supervisee. Until the Documentation of Experience form is received, you are responsible for the PLPC and they will remain on your list of current supervisees.

If my PLPC has completed his/her supervision hours, but has not passed the NCE or the NCMHCE, does he/she have to remain under supervision?

Yes. A PLPC must remain under supervision of their LPC-S not only until they pass the NCE or NCMHCE, but until they are officially approved for LPC licensure. It is unlawful to practice any type of mental health counseling as a PLPC unless you are under the active supervision of a Louisiana Board-approved supervisor.

LMFTS

LMFT-S

What's the difference between a LMFT-S and a Board-approved LMFT-S?

Although you may be an LMFT-S, this does not mean that you may begin supervising PLMFTs. In order to comply with the Board Rules, LMFT-Supervisors must be approved by the Board as the Board-approved LMFT-S for each PLMFT they wish to supervise. PLMFTs are required to remain under the active supervision of their Board-Approved LMFT-S while they are providing mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy services until they are independently licensed as an LMFT.

How do I apply to become a LMFT Supervisor Candidate (LMFT-SC)?

Individuals interested in becoming an LMFT Supervisor Candidate must be licensed as a LMFT for at least two years and provide documentation of a one-semester graduate-level course in Marriage and Family Therapy Supervision OR a 30-hour course of study approved by the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee. You can access the LMFT-SC Application and application instructions here.

LMFT Supervisors and Supervisor Candidates may refer to the LMFT Supervisor Handbook under "Supervison" here.

Can LMFT Supervisor Candidates supervise PLMFTs?

Yes, but you must first be approved by the Board to do so. Failure to comply will result in a PLMFT's inability to count client contact/supervision hours accrued under your supervision toward licensure and possibly disciplinary action.

How do I apply to become a LMFT-Supervisor (LMFT-S)?

Individuals interested in becoming an LMFT-S must be licensed as a LMFT for at least two years and provide documentation of a one-semester graduate-level course in Marriage and Family Therapy Supervision OR a 30-hour course of study approved by the Marriage and Family Therapy Advisory Committee and verification of 36 hours of supervision-of-supervision OR Verification of AAMFT Supervisor Status.

LMFT Supervisors and Supervisor Candidates may refer to the LMFT Supervisor Handbook under "Supervison" here