Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Idaho

Idaho credentials Counselors (LPC) and Clinical Practice Counselors (LCPC).

The requirement for an LPC license are:

• A master’s or higher program from a CACREP accredited program or another regionally accredited program with at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours and coursework in required fields
• A 280-hour practicum while obtaining a master’s with at least one hour of supervision for every 10 hours of client contact
• 1,000 hours of supervised work experience (at least 400 of the hours must be direct client contact)
• Passing score on the NCE exam
• $200 application and licensure fee
• A completed application
• Proof of age

Requirements for an LCPC license are:

• An LPC license
• 2,000 hours of supervised work experience with a rate of one hour of supervision for every 30 hours of practice
• Supervisor recommendation

Licenses are renewed annually in Idaho. The fee is $120. Counselors are expected to complete 40 continuing education credits every two years, of which no less than six must be in ethics.

While counselors are not required to submit continuing education proof, audits are performed to ensure counselors are complying.

The Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) issues Certificate for Pupil Service Staff with a School Counselor endorsement. The requirements for this certificate and endorsement are:

• Complete a master’s degree that includes a 700-hour practicum with at least 75 percent of the house in a K-12 setting across all grade levels
• Submit a completed application
• Pay a $75 application fee
• Complete a background check
• Have institutional recommendation

Certificates for Pupil Service Staff issued in Idaho are valid for five years.

To renew, school counselors must submit a completed application and pay a $75 free. Counselors must also complete six semester hours of continuing education from accredited institutions. Three of those semesters may be earned through approved professional activities.

Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC)

There are a total of seven certifications issued by the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC).

The two main certifications for substance abuse counselors are Advanced Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (ACADC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and Substance Use Disorder Associate (SUDA).

To earn the SUDA certification, which is a trainee designation, applicants must:

• Have 21 semester hours (or 315 clock hours) of substance abuse-related coursework
• Complete 300 hours of supervised practicum, with a minimum of ten hours in each of the 12 core functions
• Submit a completed application
• Pay $65 application fee
• Pay $160 testing fee
• Pass a computer-based exam

To earn a CADC certification, applicants must:

• Complete 6,000 hours of work experience with alcohol and other drug clients (a bachelor’s in behavioral science can substitute for 2,000 hours and a master’s in behavioral science can substitute for 4,000; the hours must include 300 hours of supervision, with a minimum of ten hours in12 core functions)
• Earn 270 hours of education, with at least 30 hours in each area related to the IC&RC Performance Domains and Tasks
• Complete six hours of training in professional ethics specific to substance abuse counselors
• Submit three letters of recommendation
• Complete a criminal background check
• Pay the $235 exam fee and pass the ADC Exam for the IC&RC
• Pay $80 application fee

ACADC applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Complete 2,000 hours of work experience with alcohol and other drug clients in 12 core function areas
• Earn a master’s degree in behavioral science
• Complete 180 hours of education, with at least 30 hours in each area related to the IC&RC Performance Domains and Tasks
• Complete six hours of training in professional ethics specific to substance abuse counselors
• Submit three letters of recommendation
• Complete a criminal background check
• Pay the $235 exam fee and pass the AADC Exam for the IC&RC
• Pay $80 application fee

Renewals for IBADCC certifications are due every two years. The fees are $207 for ACADC and CADC and $135 SUDA.

SUDAs are required to complete 60 hours of continuing education every renewal period, while ACADCs and CADCs only need to complete 40.

For all three certification renewals there must be four hours of face-to-face continuing education in ethics.

Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists

Idaho requires rehabilitation counselors to earn either a Professional Counselor (LPC) or Clinical Practice Counselor (LCPC) license.

The requirement for an LPC license are:

• A master’s or higher program from a CACREP accredited program or another regionally accredited program with at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours and coursework in required fields
• A 280-hour practicum while obtaining a master’s with at least one hour of supervision for every 10 hours of client contact
• 1,000 hours of supervised work experience (at least 400 of the hours must be direct client contact)
• Passing score on the NCE exam
• $200 application and licensure fee
• A completed application
• Proof of age

Requirements for an LCPC license are:

• An LPC license
• 2,000 hours of supervised work experience with a rate of one hour of supervision for every 30 hours of practice
• Supervisor recommendation

Licenses are renewed annually in Idaho. The fee is $120. Counselors are expected to complete 40 continuing education credits every two years, of which no less than six must be in ethics.

While counselors are not required to submit continuing education proof, audits are performed to ensure counselors are complying.

Currently, there are no state certification or licensing requirements for applied behavior analysts in Idaho.

However, holding a BCBA certification can help with employment opportunities or job advancement.

The Idaho Licensing Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists licenses Marriage and Family Therapists and Associate Marriage and Family Therapists.

The requirement for an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist license are:

• Hold a master’s or higher program from a CACREP-MCFC- or COAMFTE-accredited program (or another regionally accredited program with the requisite coursework)
• Complete a 200-hour practicum while obtaining a master’s with at least 105 hours of direct marriage and family therapy client contact
• Pay $200 application and licensure fee
• Submit a completed application with proof of age
• Pass the AMFTRB exam

Marriage and Family Therapists must meet the same requirements for an associate license, as well as:

• Complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience; at least 2,000 of the hours must be direct client contact
• Pay $200 application and licensure fee
• Complete an application and show proof of age

Marriage and family therapist licenses are renewed annually in Idaho. The fee is $120.

Counselors are expected to complete 40 continuing education credits every two years, of which no less than six must be in ethics.

While counselors are not required to submit continuing education proof, audits are performed to ensure counselors are complying.

Idaho requires child therapists to earn either a Professional Counselor (LPC) or Clinical Practice Counselor (LCPC) license.

The requirement for an LPC license are:

• A master’s or higher program from a CACREP accredited program or another regionally accredited program with at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours and coursework in required fields
• A 280-hour practicum while obtaining a master’s with at least one hour of supervision for every 10 hours of client contact
• 1,000 hours of supervised work experience (at least 400 of the hours must be direct client contact)
• Passing score on the NCE exam
• $200 application and licensure fee
• A completed application
• Proof of age

Requirements for an LCPC license are:

• An LPC license
• 2,000 hours of supervised work experience with a rate of one hour of supervision for every 30 hours of practice
• Supervisor recommendation

Licenses are renewed annually in Idaho. The fee is $120. Counselors are expected to complete 40 continuing education credits every two years, of which no less than six must be in ethics.

While counselors are not required to submit continuing education proof, audits are performed to ensure counselors are complying.