How to Become a Counselor in Iowa: New License Guide
The counseling profession in Iowa ranks among the state’s most dynamic career paths. Right now, 8,510 counselors work in specialties of all types, making it an excellent choice for people who want to help others.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors lead the pack with a projected growth rate of 30.8% through 2030. Marriage and family therapists show strong potential too, with 22.4% expected growth. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Science manages the licensing process. You’ll need a CACREP-accredited master’s degree with 60 semester hours to earn your LMHC certification. The process includes passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination. Regular continuing education keeps your credentials current.
This piece covers everything you need to know about becoming a licensed counselor in Iowa. Mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and educational guidance are all viable paths. We break down the education requirements, licensing fees, and what you can expect to earn.
Education Requirements in Iowa
Getting your counselor license in Iowa requires meeting the educational standards set by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals. Your counseling career starts with the right academic credentials.
You’ll need a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a program that’s accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation means your education matches nationally recognized quality standards.
The graduate program requires 60 semester hours (or equivalent quarter hours) of coursework. Your studies must cover everything in these knowledge areas:
- Human growth and development
- Social and cultural foundations
- Helping relationships
- Groups
- Career and lifestyle development
- Appraisal
- Research and program evaluation
- Professional orientation
- Counseling theory
- Practicum experiences
Hands-on experience through practicum is a vital part of your training. Your academic program must include a supervised practicum of at least 100 hours of professional experience and an internship lasting 600 hours or more.
Your educational path might look different based on your specialization. School counselors often need extra educational courses focused on school environments. Those interested in substance abuse counseling benefit from specialized addiction studies courses.
Many programs let you pursue multiple specializations at once, which opens up more career opportunities. This might mean taking extra courses, but you’ll end up with more options in different counseling settings.
Becoming a counselor in Iowa might seem simple at first glance, but it needs careful planning. Pick a CACREP-accredited program that matches your career goals – it’s a significant first step. Making sure your courses meet all board requirements helps avoid licensing delays later.
Keeping good records of your academic work, including transcripts and course descriptions, will make the licensing application process much easier.
Counseling Programs in Iowa
Iowa has several excellent CACREP-accredited counseling programs that lead to licensure. You’ll need to think over factors like location, cost, specialization options, and how the curriculum lines up with your career goals. Let me walk you through five great counseling programs in Iowa that can help you reach your professional goals:
University of Iowa (Iowa City) The University of Iowa’s Master of Arts in Counselor Education and Supervision comes with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. This CACREP-accredited program has a detailed 60-credit hour curriculum that meets all of Iowa’s licensing requirements. Students get hands-on experience at the on-campus counseling clinic and benefit from strong community partnerships that create great internship opportunities.
Iowa State University (Ames) ISU’s Counseling program offers a Master’s in Education with focus areas in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The CACREP-accredited program uses a scientist-practitioner model to prepare you for evidence-based practice. The program has impressive graduate placement rates and gives specialized training in rural mental health services.
Drake University (Des Moines) Drake’s Master of Science in Counseling program lets you specialize in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, or Rehabilitation Counseling. Small class sizes and individual attention from faculty who actively practice as counselors make this program stand out. Drake’s strong ties with Des Moines area agencies are a great way to get internship experience.
University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls) UNI’s Mental Health Counseling program requires 60 credit hours to meet Iowa’s LPC certification requirements. The curriculum builds both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through extensive fieldwork. Students feel well-prepared for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination after graduation.
Buena Vista University (Storm Lake) BVU’s Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling works great for working professionals, with evening and online options available. While it’s newer than other programs, BVU focuses on small cohorts and trains counselors specifically for rural and underserved Iowa communities.
These programs help you complete the supervised work experience you need to become a counselor in Iowa. Just remember that admissions requirements, costs, and specialization options differ between schools.
Internships and Other Requirements
Getting your counseling license in Iowa requires more than just finishing graduate school. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Science requires a detailed post-graduate supervised clinical experience before you can get your full license.
Iowa rules state that your supervised clinical experience must start after you finish all graduate coursework (all but one thesis) and last minimum of two years. You need to complete 3,000 hours of professional practice, and at least 1,500 of those hours must be direct client contact. You also need 110 hours of direct supervision spread throughout your experience. This includes 24 hours with live or recorded client interactions.
The board requires you to submit a written supervision plan using their official form before starting your supervised clinical experience. A detailed report must follow once supervision ends.
Your supervisor must meet several qualifications:
- Hold an active license as an independent level social worker, mental health counselor, or marital and family therapist in Iowa
- Have a minimum of three years of independent practice
- Have completed at least a six-hour continuing education course in supervision or one graduate-level course in supervision
- Be knowledgeable about applicable ethical codes and licensing rules
You can work with up to four supervisors at once to meet these requirements. All the same, supervisors must coordinate if multiple people are involved.
Most people work under a temporary license, which remains valid for three years during supervised practice. The board may renew this license at their discretion. Keep in mind that temporary licensees cannot work alone or only with other temporary licensees. You must work in an agency or group practice that has at least one independently licensed mental health provider.
Your supervised experience must include psychosocial assessments, diagnostic practice using the current DSM-5-TR, treatment planning, and evidence-based therapeutic modalities. This preparation gives you an unmatched foundation to practice independently as a licensed counselor in Iowa.
Examinations
Taking your counselor licensing exam marks a key step toward becoming a licensed counselor in Iowa. You need to prove your skills through standardized testing after finishing your education and supervised experience.
Examination Options and Requirements
The Iowa Board of Behavioral Science asks you to pass one of two national exams for counselor licensure. Notably, as of January 1, 2022, you must take the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) to get a permanent mental health counselor license. You can take either the NCMHCE or the National Counselor Examination (NCE) when applying for a temporary license.
The NCE has 200 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge and skills needed for effective counseling. You’ll have 3 hours and 45 minutes to finish this complete examination. Iowa counselors have done well on this test, with a pass rate of about 74%.
The NCMHCE uses a different format with 11 case studies and 9-15 multiple-choice questions for each case. This three-hour exam tests your clinical problem-solving skills, including how well you assess, diagnose, and plan treatments.
Registration Process
Before taking either exam, you need to:
- Create an online account through the Center for Credentialing and Education’s (CCE) ProCounselor portal
- Submit the examination fee of $200
- Designate the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) to receive your scores
Your registration stays valid for six months. Check with the Iowa Board about any state deadlines that might be shorter.
You can take the test during the first two to three full weeks of each month at four Iowa locations: Coralville, Davenport, Sioux City, and West Des Moines. You can also choose from 446+ Pearson professional centers worldwide.
If you don’t pass your first try, you must wait three months to retest. You’ll need to submit a new registration form and pay the fee again.
Good preparation for these exams will help you reach your goal of becoming an Iowa counselor. Remember, the testing service must send your passing scores straight to the Board office.
Licensing Fees
Financial investment for counselor licensure plays a key role in your career planning. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Science maintains a well-laid-out fee schedule that covers every stage of the licensing trip.
Both permanent and temporary mental health counselor licenses require an application fee of $120.00. This fee stays the same whatever type of license you pursue to become a counselor in Iowa. Note that all application fees are nonrefundable for first-time applicants, so your application must be complete and accurate before submission.
Licensed counselors must maintain their credentials through regular renewals. You will need to pay a biennial license renewal fee of $120.00 every two years during your counseling career. Missing your renewal deadline results in a late fee of $60.00, which makes timely renewal a smart financial choice.
Prospective counselors should also consider other potential expenses beyond the simple licensing fees. A reactivation fee of $180.00 applies if your license lapses. You will pay $20.00 for a duplicate or reissued license certificate.
Your professional career might require license verification for employment or reciprocity with other states. This verification costs $20.00. The Board also charges $25.00 for returned checks and may require up to $75.00 for disciplinary hearings if professional conduct issues surface.
Some sources list slightly different total costs—one mentions $123.00 ($120 plus a $3.00 convenience fee). The current fee structure should be verified on the official Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) website before submitting your LPC certification application.
These licensing fees represent just one part of your total investment in a counseling career. Your budget should include examination costs, continuing education requirements, and professional organization memberships to help you succeed as an Iowa counselor.
Counseling salaries in Iowa
Career options in counseling come with varying financial rewards in Iowa. Let’s look at what you can expect as an LPC in the state.
Iowa counselors earn an average annual salary of $61,770. Starting salaries begin at around $35,000 and can reach over $70,000 with experience.
Your location in Iowa plays a big role in what you’ll earn. West Des Moines leads the way with rates of $61.33 per hour. Waterloo sits at the other end with $16.45 per hour. Des Moines ($35.34/hour) and Fort Dodge ($31.73/hour) round out the top-paying cities.
Your chosen specialty area affects your paycheck too. Licensed Mental Health Counselors make $70,807 annually on average, with top performers reaching $95,335. Mental health therapists pull in $64,363 yearly, and Marriage Counselors typically see $59,000.
The future looks good for counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects mental health counselor jobs to grow by 18.8% through 2033, way beyond the reach of most occupations. Marriage and family therapists will see similar growth at 16.2%.
Substance abuse counselors in Iowa earn around $60,000 annually. School counselors make about $57,000, while college counselors can expect $58,000.
Many positions come with attractive perks beyond the base pay. The Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association lists jobs offering up to $90,000 with $10,000 sign-on bonuses. These often include detailed benefits packages with healthcare, retirement plans, and money for continuing education.
Your earnings will grow as you gain experience and add more credentials to your resume.
Counseling Organizations in Iowa
Professional counseling organizations play a key role when you want to become a counselor in Iowa. These associations are a great way to get support, build networks, and access resources that help advance your career.
The Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) is the state’s top professional organization for counselors. Members get access to continuing education workshops, advocacy tools, job listings, and quarterly newsletters. Students pay $40 while professionals pay $85 annually. The IMHCA annual conference helps you meet your continuing education needs and connects you with fellow counselors statewide.
National associations also have active chapters in Iowa:
The American Counseling Association (ACA) Iowa chapter gives you liability insurance options, continuing education materials, and industry updates through regular publications. Student members pay $105, while professional membership costs $171 yearly.
The Iowa Association of Addiction Professionals helps aspiring substance abuse counselors with specialized resources, certification guidance, and connections to treatment specialists.
Other valuable organizations include:
- Iowa School Counselor Association – Helps school counselors with targeted resources and professional growth
Iowa organizations now blend virtual networking events and webinars with traditional face-to-face meetings. These professional communities boost your credentials and link you with mentors who support your growth throughout your counseling career.
Counseling Scholarships in Iowa
The cost of your counseling education is one of the most important things to think over as you work toward becoming a licensed professional in Iowa. The good news is that you’ll find several scholarship opportunities to help with the expenses of your counseling degree and LPC certification.
The Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association gives out yearly scholarships to graduate counseling students. These competitive awards range from $500-$1,000. You’ll need to be a member of the association, which makes joining even more valuable for future counselors. You can apply between February and April.
Iowa universities have their own program scholarships:
- The University of Iowa’s Counselor Education Scholarship supports students who show academic excellence and financial need
- Drake University’s Counselor Education Graduate Assistantship covers tuition and provides a stipend to qualified students
- University of Northern Iowa’s Mental Health Counseling Fellowship pays up to 50% of your tuition
National organizations also offer scholarships to Iowa students. The American Counseling Association Foundation gives out over $50,000 each year through different scholarship programs. Applications open every November.
Students focused on specific areas can apply to the National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation. They offer special scholarships if you plan to work with rural populations or military communities after graduation.
Working in public service could help you get rid of your loans. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program lets counselors in qualifying public service jobs have their federal loan balances forgiven after 120 qualifying monthly payments.
The TEACH Grant Program gives up to $4,000 yearly to students who commit to teaching high-need subjects at schools with low-income families. This works great for anyone pursuing a school counseling career.
Keep in touch with your program’s financial aid office about deadlines and requirements. Each institution and organization has its own application process.
Start Your Counseling Career in Iowa
Starting a counseling career in Iowa opens up a rewarding path with strong growth potential and many specialization options. This piece outlines the key steps to become a licensed counselor – from completing a CACREP-accredited master’s program to meeting the 3,000-hour supervised experience requirement and passing the NCMHCE.
Money matters need careful thought during this process. Learning about scholarship chances and understanding licensing fees will help you plan better. The investment pays off well, given the projected 30.8% growth rate for substance abuse and mental health counselors through 2030.
Professional groups like Iowa’s Mental Health Counselors Association are a great way to get networking connections, continuing education resources, and career support as you build your practice. These connections help you adapt to the changing map of mental health services in Iowa.
The path to counselor licensure needs dedication and careful planning, but the rewards go beyond just money. You get a chance to make real changes in your clients’ lives, creating a career that truly matters. Yes, it is rewarding whether you focus on mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, or school counseling. Iowa provides a supportive environment to grow your professional practice.
Success in this field comes from mixing academic knowledge with hands-on experience and continuous learning. With the right preparation and steadfast dedication, you can build a meaningful counseling career serving Iowa communities’ mental health needs.