Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Alabama
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Alabama: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC) | Alabama credentials Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). To be licensed as an ALC, candidates must:
In order to progress from an ALC to LPC, candidates must:
If graduate coursework beyond the master’s is completed, candidates may subtract 1,000 hours of supervised work experience for every 15 graduate semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours of coursework directly related to counseling. (A minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience is required, regardless of the number of credits earned.) | In Alabama, ALC or LPC licenses expire every two years. In order to renew a license, counselors must:
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School Counseling Licenses in Alabama
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alabama State Department of Education |
There are three primary methods of obtaining certification as a school counselor in Alabama. The first is through an Interim Employment Certificate (IEC). Prospective counselors who hold an Alabama Professional Educator or Professional Leadership Certificate may apply through this route. The IEC eligibility requirements of this pathway include:
Once the degree program has been completed while holding an IEC and the candidate has passed the NEC exam, they will be issued a certification as a school counselor. The second path is for those who already hold a degree from a CACREP-accredited program. These candidates must:
The third path is for candidates who hold a School Counseling National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate. These applicants must:
| IECs are valid for one year. To renew candidates must provide proof of working towards degree completion, submit an application, and pay a $30 renewal fee. All other teaching licenses issued in Alabama are valid for five years. To renew, counselors must complete a renewal application, pay a $30 application fee, and meet one of the following requirements:
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Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Alabama
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (AADAA) Alabama Association of Addiction Counselor Certification Board (AAAC) | There are two certification bodies for substance abuse counselors in Alabama: the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (AADAA) and the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselor Certification Board (AAACCB). Credentials issued by the AADAA include: Associate Addiction Professional (AAP), Certified Adolescent Alcohol & Drug Abuse Professional (CAADP), Alcohol Drug Counselor (ADC), Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (AADC). Additional certification in criminal justice, prevention, and supervision can be earned through IC&RC examinations and relevant work experience. Eligibility requirements for an AAP certification include:
CAADP certification candidates must:
ADC certification candidates must:
AADC certification candidates must:
The AAAC certifies both Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC) and Senior Alcohol and Drug Counselors (SADC). Certification for ADC requires:
For SADC certification requirements, contact the AAAC board. |
The AADAA requires annual membership renewals. In addition to an application and fee, certificate holders must submit 20 hours of continuing education units. The AAACCB requires it’s certification-holders to renew every two years. Renewals must include 50 hours of continuing education, a $100 recertification fee, and current NAADAC membership. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Alabama
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Rehabilitation counselors in Alabama must fulfill the requirements to become Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). To be licensed as an ALC, candidates must:
In order to progress from an ALC to LPC, candidates must:
If graduate coursework beyond the master’s is completed, candidates may subtract 1,000 hours of supervised work experience for every 15 graduate semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours of coursework directly related to counseling. (A minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience is required, regardless of the number of credits earned.) |
In Alabama, ALC or LPC licenses expire every two years. In order to renew a license, counselors must:
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Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Alabama
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensure Board (ABALB) |
ABA therapists in Alabama must obtain either a Licensed Behavior Analyst or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst license. The requirements to earn a Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst license include:
Candidates for a Licensed Behavior Analyst license must:
| Renewals for ABA therapists in Alabama are required every two years. Licenses expire during the second year on December 31st. To renew, therapists must:
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Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Alabama
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy (ABEMFT) |
The Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy issues Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (MFT Intern), and Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFTA) licenses. MFT Intern licenses are for students who have yet to graduate or graduates who have not completed their internship or practicum. These candidates must:
MFTAs must meet the requirements for MFT intern licenses, as well as do the following:
LMFTs must meet all the requirements for MFTAs, as well as:
| All marriage and family therapist licenses issued in Alabama must be renewed every two years. Intern licenses cost $150 to renew; associate licenses cost $200; and full LMFT licenses cost $325. Continuing education hours are required for all licenses, as well. Interns must complete ten hours per renewal cycle with three hours being in clinical workshops, three hours in diagnosis and treatment, and three hours in ethics. Current enrollment in a COAMFTE or CACREP-MCFC accredited program meets continuing education requirements for interns. Associates must complete 20 hours of continuing education with five hours being in clinical workshops, three hours in diagnosis and treatment, and three hours in ethics. LMFTs must complete 40 hours of continuing education with ten hours being in clinical workshops, six hours in diagnosis and treatment, and six hours in ethics. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Alabama
Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
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Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC) |
Child therapists in Alabama must fulfill the requirements to become Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). To be licensed as an ALC, candidates must:
In order to progress from an ALC to LPC, candidates must:
If graduate coursework beyond the master’s is completed, candidates may subtract 1,000 hours of supervised work experience for every 15 graduate semester hours or 22.5 quarter hours of coursework directly related to counseling. (A minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience is required, regardless of the number of credits earned.) |
In Alabama, ALC or LPC licenses expire every two years. In order to renew a license, counselors must:
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