Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Maine
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“There is a profound need for school counselors in Maine. School districts struggle to find qualified people, especially rural districts.”
Russell Fulmer, PhD, Professor and Director of Graduate Counseling Programs, Husson University
Pursuing a counseling career in the state of Maine can be a rewarding professional choice given the state’s current need to enhance its workforce. The state of Maine currently features three accredited master’s-level counseling degree programs. Due to pressing system challenges, there is a substantial need for newly trained mental health care professionals to serve a variety of populations, including youth and adults.
A recent Mental Health Summit described Maine as lacking a “functional behavioral health care system” and noted many challenges for the state. These include a shortage of mental health crisis workers, ultimately contributing to a huge burden on the state’s criminal justice system; thousands of people waiting for openings for outpatient mental health treatment; and the closure of multiple mental health residential programs due to a lack of both financial and human resources.
According to Mental Health America, Maine recently ranked 37th out of the 50 states and Washington, DC. This ranking quantifies seven different metrics for providing care to adults; a poor ranking (high number) indicates a relatively high prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care. The number of drug overdose deaths, opioid overdose deaths, and suicides per unit population within Maine have all persisted above the national average since the mid-2010s.
Outcomes for youth are also mixed. Mental Health America ranks the state as doing extraordinarily well in terms of its youth population; Maine ranks second, according to its youth ranking. And yet in 2018-2019, prior to the Covid-pandemic, the percentage of Maine adolescents who had reported a major depressive episode in that period of time was nearly double that of adults.
Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in Maine, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.
Meet the Expert: Russell Fulmer, PhD, LPC
Dr. Russell Fulmer is professor and director of graduate counseling programs at Husson University. His interdisciplinary and international experience includes a recent academic residency in China. His research focuses on artificial intelligence in the behavioral sciences and psychodynamic theory.
In The Family Journal, Dr. Fulmer has examined the role of AI in human development through the lens of Erikson’s psychosocial stages. He has also published a commentary in the Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision on how AI algorithms shape worldviews, urging educators to address power dynamics and algorithmic influence in the counseling classroom.
CounselingSchools.com: What are the top concerns for counselors in Maine?
Dr. Fulmer: There is a profound need for school counselors in Maine. School districts struggle to find qualified people, especially rural districts.
CounselingSchools.com: Is there any advice you’d give to counselors planning to practice in Maine?
Dr. Fulmer: Maine is part of the Counseling Compact. Maine has tiered licensure, and 900 hours of internship are required for a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, to qualify for the entry-level license. There are active state counseling associations in Maine, including the Maine Mental Health Counselors Association (MEMHCA) and the Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA). I would strongly encourage membership in a state association.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Maine
The Husson University Graduate Counseling and Human Relations program offers two master’s degree programs in counseling: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.
The master of science degree in clinical mental health counseling features a 63-credit curriculum, including a 100-hour practicum (six credits) and a 900-hour internship for which students receive nine credits. The internship placement must be approved by the counseling program.
The curriculum features many topics necessary for the success of future counseling graduates, such as ethical, professional, and legal issues in counseling, human development, career development theories, and the application of research skills for careers in various settings. The curriculum has been designed for professional counselors to develop the skills to seek national certification and state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC in Maine) or as a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor.
The master of science in school counseling program is a 60-credit program designed to prepare graduates to work as professional guidance counselors within a K-12 school setting. The curriculum features a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship designed to prepare graduates for roles in counseling, leadership, and private consulting. Certified school counselors may hold a variety of responsibilities, including individualized counseling, consultation with parents and teachers, classroom instruction, and the development of effective programming.
- Location: Bangor, ME
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
The University of Southern Maine offers a master of science degree in counseling with three available concentrations: clinical mental health, clinical rehabilitation, and school counseling.
The clinical mental health concentration is a 63-credit program in which students can choose elective credits as part of their study area to ultimately specialize in a particular focus area: family systems or substance misuse. Graduates of this program possess the training necessary to seek licensure as a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC), while those who focus on substance abuse may seek licensure as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC).
The rehabilitation counseling concentration offers a 63-credit clinical track and a 54-credit vocational track. The rehabilitation concentration is a low-residency program; most courses are offered in a hybrid or online format. Those pursuing the clinical track can pursue specializations, including becoming certified as a mental health rehabilitation technician/community (MHRT/C) or a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC).
The school counseling concentration is a 60-credit program consisting of 36 credits of core coursework, 21 credits of concentration courses, and three credits of electives. Successful graduates hold the skills to effectively work with students in a variety of settings to meet students’ social, emotional, and career development needs during both primary and secondary education. Graduates are eligible to seek certification from the Maine Department of Education in school counseling for grades K-12. They are also eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
- Location: Portland, ME
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
University of Maine Farmington
The University of Maine Farmington was ranked eighth by the U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 “Best Value School” listing. The University’s Division of Psychology and Human Development offers a 64-credit master in counseling psychology degree program with a creative arts focus. The program offers a hybrid learning format with most classwork offered online (70 percent) and in-person coursework offered on Fridays (30 percent).
This program provides graduates the foundation necessary to successfully pass the Maine State Licensing Exam to become licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPCs) within the state of Maine. Exposure to various forms of creativity, including writing, music, and painting, provides students with additional skills to work with client populations for whom talk therapy may be ineffective or even considered clinically inappropriate. Graduates may work in a range of settings including, but not limited to, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health agencies, and community mental health agencies.
- Location: Farmington, ME
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
How Much Do Counselors Earn in Maine?
These numbers represent nationwide and Maine data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2024—the latest data available as of June 2025.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salaries
| United States | Maine | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 72,190 | 180 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $106,850 | $114,470 |
| 10th percentile | $50,470 | $73,180 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $95,830 | $97,630 |
| 90th percentile | $170,150 | $213,060 |
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | Maine | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 65,870 | Not available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $72,720 | $72,820 |
| 10th percentile | $42,610 | $52,160 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,780 | $68,670 |
| 90th percentile | $111,610 | $90,740 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | Maine | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 88,930 | 340 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $51,260 | $53,630 |
| 10th percentile | $34,480 | $38,330 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,110 | $45,920 |
| 90th percentile | $77,200 | $82,250 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | Maine | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 440,380 | 1,610 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $65,100 | $64,050 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $43,810 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,910 | $60,970 |
| 90th percentile | $98,210 | $93,070 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | Maine | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 342,350 | 1,610 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $71,520 | $61,790 |
| 10th percentile | $43,580 | $43,450 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,140 | $59,160 |
| 90th percentile | $105,870 | $82,830 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | Maine | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 33,340 | 90 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $58,070 | $64,350 |
| 10th percentile | $36,160 | $45,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,830 | $63,920 |
| 90th percentile | $91,420 | $72,280 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Maine
- State of Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure
- State of Maine Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors
- Maine Psychological Association (MEPA)
- Maine Counseling Association (MECA)
- Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy – Maine Network
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Maine: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure | There are four types of licenses in Maine for mental health counselors:
For a Conditional LPC credential, applicants must:
To become a full LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
Conditional LCPC candidates must:
To become a full LCPC, must meet the above requirements as well as:
| Renewals for mental health counselors in Maine are due every two years. Renewals require payment of a fee. Additionally, counselors are required to complete 55 hours of continuing education hours every renewal cycle. |
School Counseling Licenses in Maine
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Department of Education | The Maine Department of Education issues a School Counselor Certificate. The requirements for a conditional certificate are:
Applicants for a professional certificate must meet the requirements for a conditional certificate, as well as:
| A conditional school counselor certificate issued in Maine is non-renewable. Professional certificates are valid for five years and require payment of a fee to renew. To renew, school counselors must complete six semester credit hours or 90 contact hours of continuing education. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Maine
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
The Maine Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors licenses Alcohol and Drug Counseling Aides (AD), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CAC), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LC) AD certificate candidates must:
The applicant must be employed at an agency providing substance abuse counseling. CAC licensure candidates must:
LC licensure requirements include:
| Renewals for AD, CAC, and LC licenses are due every year. They expire on November 30th and cost $35 to renew. ADs must complete 12 hours of continuing education; CACs must complete 18 hours; and LCs must complete 25 hours. All renewals require at least four hours in ethics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Maine
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
There are four types of licenses in Maine for rehabilitation counselors:
For a Conditional LPC credential, applicants must:
To become a full LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
Conditional LCPC candidates must:
To become a full LCPC, must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals for mental health counselors in Maine are due every two years. Renewals incur a fee. Additionally, counselors are required to complete 55 hours of continuing education hours every renewal cycle, including at least four hours related to ethics. For the first renewal (one-time only), licensees must complete 12 hours in family or intimate partner violence. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Maine
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for national certification | Currently, there are no state certification or licensing requirements for applied behavior analysts in Maine. However, holding a BCBA certification and maintaining membership with the Association for Maine Behavior Analysis can help with employment opportunities or job advancement. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Maine
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure | The Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure licenses full and conditional Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT). For a conditional MFT license, applicants must:
To become a full MFT, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
| Renewals for marriage and family therapists in Maine are due every two years. Renewals require payment of a fee for conditional and full licenses. Additionally, counselors are required to complete 55 hours of continuing education hours every renewal cycle. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Maine
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure |
There are four types of licenses in Maine for child therapists:
For a Conditional LPC credential, applicants must:
To become a full LPC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
Conditional LCPC candidates must:
To become a full LCPC, must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
Renewals for mental health counselors in Maine are due every two years. Renewals cost $200. Additionally, counselors are required to complete 55 hours of continuing education hours every renewal cycle. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].