How to Become a Counselor in Hawaii: Complete Guide to LMHC Certification

The path to becoming a counselor in Hawaii takes about eight years of dedicated education and training. You’ll need four years to earn a bachelor’s degree, two years to complete a master’s degree in counseling, and two more years of supervised counseling experience.

Hawaii has around 3,210 professionals who work in counseling careers of all types. Mental health counselors earn an average annual salary of $55,300. Anyone thinking about a masters in counseling program in Hawaii or wanting to become a therapist must complete 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience. This requirement includes 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. The process also requires passing the 200-question National Counselor Examination. Application fees total $504, which varies based on when your license is issued in the three-year cycle.

Ready to begin this rewarding career path? Let’s look at everything you need to know about becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Aloha State.

Education Requirements in Hawaii

Hawaii’s licensing board has specific educational requirements you need to meet to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Your counseling career starts with the right academic credentials.

A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a related mental health field from an accredited institution serves as your foundation. The graduate program should include at least 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of coursework.

Your coursework must cover these nine key areas, with at least three semester hours (or five quarter hours) in each:

• Human growth and development
• Social and cultural foundations
• Counseling theories and applications
• Group theory and practice
• Career and lifestyle development
• Appraisal of human behavior
• Tests and measurements
• Research and program evaluation
• Professional orientation and ethics

The graduate program requires hands-on training. You need two academic terms of supervised mental health practicum/internship that earn graduate credit and total six semester hours (or ten quarter hours). This includes a minimum of 300 hours of supervised client contact.

A qualified professional must supervise your practicum. Supervisors can be an LMHC, psychologist, clinical social worker, advanced practice registered nurse with a mental health specialty, marriage and family therapist, or psychiatrist.

Students can take additional qualifying courses if their degree program misses any required coursework. Several Hawaii universities offer programs that align with these requirements. To name just one example, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s counseling psychology program meets all LMHC licensure requirements in Hawaii.

Many future counselors start with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. Popular choices include counseling, psychology, social work, human services, or marriage and family therapy. This background creates a strong foundation for graduate studies in mental health counseling.

5 Counseling Programs in Hawaii

Hawaii has several universities and colleges that offer accredited counseling programs meeting state licensing requirements. These programs build a strong foundation to help you become a licensed mental health counselor in the state.

University of Hawaii at Manoa runs a Master of Education in Counseling program with specializations in Rehabilitation Counseling and School Counseling. Students need to complete 48 credit hours and supervised practicum experiences that meet state requirements. The program stands out with its strong focus on multicultural counseling approaches suited to Hawaii’s diverse population.

Chaminade University of Honolulu offers a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program that meets LMHC requirements. The 60-credit curriculum has specialized courses in substance abuse counseling and marriage and family therapy, plus required supervised clinical experiences. Working professionals benefit from the program’s evening and weekend classes.

Hawaii Pacific University runs a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that meets Hawaii’s licensing standards. Students complete 60 credit hours in this complete program that focuses on evidence-based practices and cultural competence needed to counsel in Hawaii’s multicultural setting.

University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program that fulfills state licensure educational requirements. The 60-credit curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with practical skills and pays special attention to indigenous Hawaiian cultural practices in counseling.

Your chosen program should cover all nine content areas and provide supervised practicum experiences. Full-time students typically finish in two years, while part-time students may need longer. Each school sets its own application deadlines and admission requirements that need careful review before you apply.

Internship and Practicum

Licensed mental health counselors in Hawaii need extensive hands-on experience beyond their classroom education. Students must complete their practical training through two key phases: a supervised practicum during their degree program and post-graduate supervised work.

Graduate programs require students to complete a supervised practicum component that spans at least two academic terms of mental health practicum/internship experience. Students must earn a minimum of six semester hours or ten quarter hours, which includes at least 300 hours of supervised client contact in a mental health counseling setting. A qualified professional must supervise this clinical experience.

Graduates must then complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience in mental health counseling practice. This practical experience takes no less than two years and no more than four years. Clinical supervision requires 100 hours of face-to-face contact during this period.

Clinical supervisors must hold a valid license as one of these professionals:

• Mental health counselor
• Psychologist
• Clinical social worker
• Advanced practice registered nurse with a mental health specialty
• Marriage and family therapist
• Physician with a psychiatry specialty

Hawaii’s law offers flexibility with supervision formats. Students and supervisors can complete supervision requirements through HIPAA-compliant videoconference services that follow federal and state privacy laws.

Supervisors must document all practicum and post-graduate experience by completing verification forms. These forms need a notary’s signature and include a summary of duties performed.

Students can find practicum and internship placements at various institutions throughout Hawaii. To cite an instance, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s counseling program collaborates with organizations like CARE Hawaiʻi, Child and Family Services, Department of Education School-Based Behavioral Health, and university counseling centers.

Field placement coordinators help match students’ career goals with available supervisors and sites. Competition for placements means students might need to look beyond their home island for opportunities.

Examinations

Passing the appropriate licensing examination is a vital step to become a counselor in Hawaii after completing your education and supervised experience requirements.

Hawaii requires all Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) candidates to pass the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). This detailed assessment shows your knowledge, skills, and ability to provide effective counseling services.

The NCE includes 200 multiple-choice questions – 160 scored items and 40 unscored field-test items. You will have three hours and forty-five minutes to complete the exam. The test measures six key domains:

• Professional Practice and Ethics (12%)
• Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis (12%)
• Areas of Clinical Focus (29%)
• Treatment Planning (9%)
• Counseling Skills and Interventions (30%)
• Core Counseling Attributes (8%)

Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing (DCCA-PVL) must approve your application before you can register for the exam. You will receive a registration form and eligibility letter after approval. The Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) handles the registration process, which costs $195.

The processing takes about four weeks after registration. Your eligibility stays valid for six months, and you must schedule your test within this timeframe.

The electronic testing happens during the first two to three weeks of each month. While Hawaii has just one testing center in Honolulu, you can take the exam at any of the 446+ Pearson professional centers worldwide.

Previous NCE exam passers don’t need to retake the test. Just ask NBCC to send written documentation directly to the licensing office.

The waiting period between attempts is three months if you don’t pass initially. Each new attempt requires a fresh registration form and examination fee.

Licensing Fees

Getting your finances ready plays a key role to become a licensed mental health counselor in Hawaii. You’ll need to pay different fees throughout your experience – from applying to renewing your license.

The Hawaii licensing board charges $60 as an application fee to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). This fee covers document processing and qualification review.

Your license fee comes to $444 after the board approves your application. This amount changes based on when you get your license during the three-year cycle. Here’s a breakdown of the fees:

• July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015: $362
• July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016: $285
• July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014: $439

Your Mental Health Counselor license needs renewal every three years on June 30. Active status renewal costs $282. The fee drops by a lot to $12 if you keep your license inactive.

Late renewals cost more. You’ll pay $382 to restore an active license after the deadline. An inactive license restoration costs $112 after the deadline passes.

Hawaii stands out from other states since it doesn’t require continuing education to renew your license. This saves you money that counselors typically spend in other states.

Remember that these fees might change. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division website lists the latest fee schedule. Check their website as you work toward your license.

Statutes 453D-10 and 453D-11 set the rules for Hawaii’s licensing process. These laws are the foundations of the board’s fee structure.

Counseling Salaries in Hawaii

The financial side of counseling careers in Hawaii offers vital insights if you’re thinking about this career path. The Aloha State’s counselors earn competitive salaries that vary based on their specialty, experience, and where they work.

Hawaii’s mental health counselors earn an average of $55,300 yearly, which makes it a solid career choice financially. This puts Hawaii’s counselors ahead of many other states. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors make slightly more at $61,350 per year, while rehabilitation counselors earn about $44,120 annually.

Education counselors tend to make better money, with school and career counselors earning $66,900 yearly. Hawaii’s marriage and family therapists typically take home $69,160 each year.

Experience affects a counselor’s earning potential by a lot. New counselors with less than a year of experience usually start around $45,000 annually. Those with 5-10 years under their belt can expect close to $60,000. Senior counselors who have extensive experience and advanced certifications can earn more than $70,000.

Where you work in Hawaii makes a difference in your salary. Honolulu-based counselors typically earn more than their counterparts in rural areas because of higher living costs and greater service demand.

Your education level plays a big part in what you can earn. A master’s degree in counseling from Hawaii programs usually leads to higher salaries than bachelor’s degrees. Specialized certifications can also boost your market value.

The base salary isn’t everything – many counseling jobs in Hawaii come with complete benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Private practice counselors might earn even more, especially once they build a steady client base.

The job outlook for Hawaii therapists stays positive, with growth rates that exceed many other professions. Quality education and certification investments usually pay off well throughout your counseling career.

Counseling Organizations in Hawaii

Professional counseling organizations can boost your career as a mental health counselor in Hawaii. These groups are a great way to get resources, build networks, and develop professionally after you receive your license.

The Hawaii Mental Health Counselors Association (HMHCA) leads the way for mental health counselors across the islands. This state branch of the American Mental Health Counselors Association promotes the counseling profession in Hawaii. Members can access local workshops, continuing education programs, and stay updated on state legislation that affects their practice.

The American Counseling Association of Hawaii (ACA-Hawaii) welcomes counselors from all specialties. Their conferences and events make it easier to network with professionals from different counseling fields.

Specialists might find value in joining the Hawaii Association for Marriage and Family Therapy or the Hawaii Psychological Association. These organizations often welcome mental health counselors as affiliate members.

Members usually enjoy these benefits:

• Job listings for counseling positions throughout Hawaii
• Lower rates for conferences and continuing education events
• Ways to earn continuing education credits through workshops
• Guidelines for ethical practice specific to Hawaii
• Connections with experienced counselors in your area

These organizations do more than support professional growth. They shape policies that affect Hawaii’s counseling profession through advocacy. Their collective voice tackles licensure issues, practice scope concerns, and insurance matters that affect how you work.

Students in Hawaii’s masters counseling programs can join these groups at lower rates. Early access to professional networks can jumpstart their job search. Many groups have special student sections and mentoring programs that help future therapists in Hawaii.

Starting your career by connecting with these professional organizations brings practical benefits. It helps you build your place in Hawaii’s counseling community.

Counseling Scholarships in Hawaii

Getting your counseling education funded is a vital part of your journey to become a licensed mental health counselor in Hawaii. The career benefits are huge, but graduate education costs can be tough for many future counselors to handle. The good news is you’ll find many scholarship options to help with these expenses.

Most counseling students rely on federal financial aid as their main funding source. You can access different loan programs and possible grants by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program gives graduate students great funding options whatever their financial situation, making it available to most counseling students.

Universities also offer their own scholarships that can help students in Hawaii’s masters in counseling programs. You’ll find dedicated scholarship funds for counseling and psychology students at most schools. The University of Hawaii at Manoa, to cite an instance, gives out departmental scholarships just for graduate students in their counseling programs. These awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, based on your grades and financial needs.

Professional organizations also provide great scholarship opportunities:

• The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation runs several scholarship programs for students who plan to work in underserved areas
• The American Counseling Association and its Hawaii chapter give scholarships to outstanding counseling students
• The Hawaii Psychological Association offers grants and scholarships to mental health career students

Local cultural and community groups in Hawaii often create scholarships for residents pursuing helping professions. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs helps Native Hawaiian students with grants when they study mental health fields.

Military veterans looking to become therapists in Hawaii should check out the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This bill can cover most of your tuition and give you a housing allowance while you complete your counseling degree.

Scholarship opportunities change often, so your best bet is to contact your program’s financial aid office. They can help you find current funding sources that match your specific situation.

Get Started Now

The path to becoming a licensed mental health counselor in Hawaii demands deep commitment and perseverance. You’ll spend about eight years completing your education and supervised experience before getting your full license. The rewards make it worthwhile – competitive salaries and chances to serve Hawaii’s diverse communities await successful candidates.

Your master’s degree must cover nine key content areas. After graduation, you need 3,000 hours of supervised experience spread over two years minimum. The National Counselor Examination stands as a key milestone in your career development. License costs vary based on when you start the three-year cycle and include application fees, exam costs, and license fees.

The Hawaii Mental Health Counselors Association is a great way to get networking opportunities and resources that boost your professional growth. Many scholarship options can help fund your education, making this career path more affordable despite the time and resources needed.

Hawaii’s mental health counseling field keeps expanding. Counselors earn competitive salaries – about $55,300 per year on average. The licensing process might look daunting, but each step builds skills you’ll need to work effectively within Hawaii’s unique cultural landscape. This guide gives you a clear path to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the Aloha State.