How to Become a Licensed Counselor in Idaho: Complete LPC Requirements Guide
Want to know something interesting? Idaho has over 4,800 licensed professional counselors working across the state.
The path to becoming a licensed counselor in Idaho follows several steps set by the state’s counseling board. Anyone passionate about this rewarding profession needs to understand Idaho’s counseling licensure requirements. You’ll need to complete a 60-semester-hour graduate program and gain 1,000 clock hours of supervised experience. The process is detailed but achievable.
The financial outlook for counseling professionals in Idaho looks promising. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn $53,630 on average per year. The field continues to grow, with projections showing 640 job openings each year through 2030.
Let us help you understand how to become a counselor in Idaho. We’ll break down each requirement step by step to help you build your career confidently. Ready to begin?
Education Requirements in Idaho
The Idaho Licensing Board requires a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from an accredited institution.
Your graduate program needs 60 semester credits (or 90 quarter credits) with accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Programs that are “substantially similar” in structure and approved by the Idaho counseling board also qualify. This foundation includes a year of advanced counseling practicum where you need at least 280 hours of direct client contact.
Your academic trip will cover eight essential CACREP curricular areas:
- Human growth and development – Covering psychological, sociological, and physiological approaches
- Social and cultural foundations – Including studies of change, ethnic groups, and cultural dynamics
- The helping relationship – Including consultation theory and counselor-client relationship development
- Groups – Focusing on group theories, practices, and dynamics
- Lifestyle and career development – Addressing vocational choice theory and career decision-making processes
- Appraisal of the individual – Teaching methods of data gathering and interpretation
- Research and evaluation – Covering statistics and research design
- Professional orientation – Dissecting counseling ethics and professional standards
Students from non-CACREP accredited programs must submit each course’s syllabus with their application. The board reviews these documents to verify that your coursework meets the required curricular areas.
International degree holders may need to submit certification from a credential evaluation service that belongs to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). This certification should verify that your foreign degree matches an approved U.S. graduate degree.
After completing your education requirements, you can move forward with supervised practice hours and licensing examinations to get your Idaho counseling license.
Top Idaho Counseling Programs
Idaho’s accredited counseling programs help students meet the state’s LPC requirements. Students can choose from several specialization options that align with state licensure standards.
Boise State University has a 60-credit Master of Arts in Counseling with two CACREP-accredited focus areas. Students choose between School Counseling and Addiction Counseling tracks, each taking three years to finish. The Addiction Counseling path teaches students to help people of all backgrounds who struggle with substance abuse and chemical dependency. Students must complete 700 supervised internship hours, though completing 1,000 hours lets graduates qualify for LPC licensure right away.
Idaho State University has a complete counseling education program with five specialty areas in their Master of Counseling (MCoun) degree. Students can focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, School Counseling, or Student Affairs Counseling. Each path needs 60 credits and 1,000 hours of supervised work experience. The university also lets students advance their education through their Educational Specialist (EdS) program and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.
Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa has an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program that prepares students to work in clinical settings of all types. Their 60-credit program runs for eight semesters (about 33 months) and requires 1,000 hours of practicum/internship experience. NNU’s CACREP accreditation is valuable because many states require it for licensure.
University of Idaho stands out as the only school in the state with an accredited Rehabilitation Counseling program, which focuses on helping clients with disabilities. Their Department of Leadership and Counseling teaches classes online, in-person, and through hybrid formats to reach students across Idaho and beyond.
NNU’s Adventure Play Therapy Center gives students a unique chance to learn play therapy. The Association for Play Therapy recognizes it as an approved Center of Play Therapy Education. Some NNU students can also intern at Families ETC, the department’s private non-profit counseling center.
Supervised Experience
Your Idaho LPC requirements include supervised experience after graduating from your counseling program. You need to register as a Counselor Intern with the Idaho counseling board before counting your hours.
The supervision requirements include 1,000 clock hours, and 400 of these hours must focus on direct client contact. You’ll need face-to-face supervision every 20 hours while working in professional settings. Your supervisor should provide constructive feedback and evaluate your developing skills consistently.
The Idaho board states that counselors cannot practice as a Counselor Intern beyond four years from their initial registration date. Your supervisor must be board-approved and qualified under one of these designations:
- Counselor education faculty member at an accredited college
- Registered Professional Counselor supervisor
- Registered Clinical Professional Counselor supervisor
- Registered Marriage and Family Therapist supervisor
- Registered Clinical Social Worker supervisor
- Licensed Psychologist
- Licensed Psychiatrist
Different counseling paths have unique requirements. Marriage and family therapists must complete 2,000 hours of direct client contact across two years minimum, with 1,000 hours dedicated to couples or families.
Idaho universities provide excellent practicum experiences. The University of Idaho’s Advanced Practicum in Counseling requires 15 weekly hours, which includes 6-10 hours of direct client contact. Idaho State University’s Counseling Center lets students work with 5-10 clients each week.
Complete your prerequisite courses, get proper liability insurance, and submit a signed Internship Agreement before starting your internship. Keep detailed weekly logs of your activities and contact hours that your supervisor can verify.
Exams
Getting through your required exams is a vital milestone to meet Idaho LPC requirements. The Idaho counseling board wants candidates to prove their competency through standardized national tests.
You need to pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) runs this complete assessment with 200 multiple-choice questions that review your knowledge, skills, and ability to deliver quality counseling services.
The NCE tests 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%)
Clinical Professional Counselor candidates must clear an extra hurdle – the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE). This exam differs from the NCE’s multiple-choice format. It presents 10 clinical mental health counseling cases to test how well you can identify, analyze, and plan treatments.
You can now take both exams on computers at testing centers across the country. The Center for Credentialing and Education’s ProCounselor portal lets you register right after earning your graduate degree. You won’t need pre-approval from the Idaho counseling board.
The NBCC must send your passing test scores straight to the Idaho Board of Professional Counselors after you finish an exam. This direct submission is vital since the board needs official proof of your passing score.
Some sources mention an Idaho Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists Jurisprudence Examination about state-specific laws, rules, and ethical standards. This information shows up less often in official documents.
Your successful completion of these exams shows you’re ready to practice professional counseling under Idaho’s licensing requirements.
Licensing Fees
You need to think about the costs of getting your Idaho counseling license before starting your professional trip. Idaho’s counseling board has a clear fee structure that covers each step of getting licensed.
New LPC and LCPC candidates pay $100 for their first application. The board charges another $100 for your original license after approval. This $200 total gets you started as a licensed counselor in Idaho.
The registered counselor intern path costs less at $25. This lower fee makes sense since you’re still training while the board watches over your progress.
Licensed counselors must renew their credentials yearly. LPCs and LCPCs pay $120 each year for renewal. Your license needs yearly renewal, but you have two years to complete 40 continuing education credits, including six in ethics.
Missing your renewal date costs an extra $35 penalty. A simple calendar reminder helps avoid these extra charges.
Other fees you should know about:
- Duplicate license fee: $10
- Certification fee: $10
Marriage and family therapists pay similar amounts – $100 for application, $25 for administration, and $100 for their original license.
Good news awaits in 2025. Starting January 1, nine Idaho boards will reduce their licensing fees. This change shows Idaho’s support for professionals while keeping essential services affordable.
Smart planning and on-time renewals help you manage your Idaho counseling license’s costs better. This lets you focus on what you do best – helping your clients with quality mental health care.
Idaho Counselor Salaries
Licensed Professional Counselors in Idaho have a bright financial future ahead. Their earning potential varies based on where they work, their experience level, and their area of expertise.
Recent data shows Idaho LPCs earn between $61,439 and $77,728 yearly. Most counselors take home $55,000 to $75,300, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $107,261.
Your location in Idaho plays a big part in how much you can earn. Counselors in Pocatello and Nampa are at the top of the pay scale, earning around $103,439. Moscow ($49,481) and Gooding ($48,331) offer lower salaries. Council ($73,015), Lewiston ($72,007), and Meridian ($69,717) also provide competitive pay.
Mental health counselors typically earn about $48,010 yearly. Entry-level positions start at $21,770 and can go up to $64,880. School counselors earn similar wages, with an average of $48,560 and potential earnings up to $76,490.
LCPC professionals earn $40.97 per hour on average, while general counselors make about $42.13 hourly. These rates add up to a good yearly income for full-time practitioners.
Specialists can earn even more. Anxiety therapists make $112,907 yearly—66.9% more than typical LPC salaries. Mental Health Consultants ($60,952) and Crisis Counselors ($46,795) are other specialized roles available.
The job market looks exceptional for Idaho counseling licensure seekers. Growth projections show an 18% increase from 2022 to 2032, which is a big deal as it means that the average job growth rate. This growth comes from the rising need for mental health services statewide.
Idaho’s lower living costs help counseling professionals live well, even though they might earn less than the national average.
Counseling Organizations
Professional organizations provide valuable connections for professionals working toward Idaho LPC requirements. These associations are a great way to get resources, advocacy support, and continuing education opportunities that help advance your career.
The Idaho Counseling Association (ICA), a branch of the American Counseling Association, supports counselors in various settings like education, healthcare, private practice, and community agencies. ICA gives out five annual awards to outstanding counselors and helps Idaho students earn scholarships through conference volunteer opportunities.
The American Mental Health Counselors Association of Idaho (AMHCA of Idaho) works to advance clinical mental health counseling through cooperative efforts, advocacy, and professional development. Their mission covers research promotion, ethical practice standards, and high-quality credentialing and licensure requirements.
School counselors can find specialized support through the Idaho School Counselor Association (ISCA). Members enjoy discounted conference rates, regional meetings, lobbying support, professional development, and exclusive resources. ISCA also leads National School Counseling Week activities and helps with professional consultations.
Other prominent organizations include:
- Idaho Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (IACES) – Focused on quality education and supervision of counselors in all work settings
- Idaho Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) – Open to counselors, educators, and students interested in advancing mental health counseling
- Idaho Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IDAMFC) – Now transitioned to a Family TEAM network advocating for MFTs and systemic therapy
Specialized networks like the Play Therapy Networking Group host virtual meetings to promote local peer connections among play therapists.
Your involvement in these professional organizations boosts your credibility while working toward Idaho counseling licensure. These associations advocate at the legislative level and make sure counselors’ voices shape policy decisions affecting the profession throughout Idaho.
Idaho’s Counseling Scholarships
Students pursuing counseling education in Idaho can access several specialized scholarships to help pay for their studies. These financial options make it easier to get the credentials needed for Idaho counseling licensure.
The Dr. Judith Crews Counseling Scholarship helps Master’s degree students at ISU-Meridian campus who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and belong to the Idaho Counseling Association. Students interested in mental health counseling or social justice advocacy get preference for this award.
ISU’s Champ Counseling Scholarship supports Counseling majors who maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher. Students can receive USD 500-1000, with priority given to non-traditional students who focus on rehabilitation, drug treatment therapy, or animal treatment therapy.
The EMPWRing grant at ISU’s school psychology program pays full tuition for up to three years and includes a detailed final-year internship. Graduates must work in high-need K-12 school districts in Idaho for three years after finishing. This is a big deal as it means that the current 1:1,700 student-to-school psychologist ratio is nowhere near the recommended 1:500.
Here are more notable options:
- The Idaho Opportunity Scholarship gives up to USD 3,500 each year for four years, based 70% on financial need and 30% on GPA
- The Tschudy Family Scholarship provides USD 2,500 yearly, renewable for five years plus two more years in graduate school
- The Jensen, Jay & Mary Donna Scholarship supports graduate counseling students with a minimum 3.5 GPA
- The Taylor Graduate Fellowship helps graduate students who show academic potential and leadership
Note that you need to graduate from an Idaho high school or equivalent to get most state-managed scholarships. Many Idaho universities also offer their own financial aid, including the Western Undergraduate Exchange program that cuts tuition costs for eligible students.
Learning about these financial resources early in your education can help you reduce the costs of meeting Idaho LPC requirements.
Start Your Counseling Path Now
Getting your counseling license in Idaho takes commitment and smart planning. You’ll need to follow several clear steps to become an LPC. The path includes completing a 60-credit graduate program, passing national exams, and getting 1,000 hours of supervised experience. The financial side involves application fees, renewal costs, and understanding what you can earn as a counselor.
Idaho has many CACREP-accredited programs that build a strong foundation for future counselors. The state’s job market looks bright, with an expected 18% growth through 2032. Counselors earn between $55,000 and $75,300 per year, based on their location and specialty area.
The Idaho Counseling Association and Idaho Mental Health Counselors Association help you grow through networking, education, and advocacy. You can also find scholarships that cut down your education costs by a lot.
The road to becoming a licensed counselor in Idaho is challenging but achievable. A mix of quality education, clear licensing steps, and good career prospects makes counseling perfect for people who want to support mental health in Idaho’s communities. Your first step starts with picking the right education program that matches your career goals.