How to Become a Counselor in Mississippi: Your 2025 LPC License Guide
39.2% of Mississippi residents deal with mental illness, compared to the national average of 32.3%. This alarming statistic shows Mississippi’s serious shortage of mental health professionals – just one provider serves 460 people. People who want to become counselors in Mississippi have a promising career ahead with a projected growth of 17.3% through 2030.
Getting your professional counseling license in Mississippi takes several steps. You must complete specific education requirements and log 3,000 supervised hours that include 1,200 hours of direct service. The Mississippi LPC Board will help you through the exam requirements and licensing process. Mississippi stands at 42nd place nationwide in access to mental health treatment. Still, the state’s LPC requirements make sure only qualified professionals enter the field. Licensed counselors can earn between $36,700 and $89,920 each year while helping reshape the state’s mental health scene.
Education Requirements in Mississippi
Your experience to become a counselor in Mississippi begins with meeting educational requirements set by the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors. The board wants candidates to have a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or educational specialist’s degree in counseling or a related field. This degree should come from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
The graduate program requires 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of study. Students with fewer credits can qualify by taking additional courses without getting another degree. The Mississippi LPC requirements need your program to include a three-hour semester course in these key areas:
- Human Growth and Development
- Social and Cultural Foundations
- Helping Relationships
- Groups
- Lifestyle and Career Development
- Appraisal
- Research and Evaluation
- Professional Orientation
- Marriage and/or Family Counseling/Therapy
- Diagnosis and Treatment
Most Mississippi universities with counseling programs have designed their curriculum to meet these standards. To name just one example, Master of Education in Counselor Education students need a minimum 3.0 GPA on their last 60 undergraduate hours.
The Mississippi LPC Board looks at more than just academic performance. Graduate counseling programs often ask for a current resume, statement of purpose, and three reference forms. Faculty interviews are also part of the process.
Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) are a great way to get LPC licensure. Programs without accreditation must have “counseling” in their title and match CACREP program structure.
The final step after completing your education is sending unopened official transcripts of all graduate work to the Mississippi LPC Board. You can also include them in your application packet. These documents prove you’ve completed the educational requirements needed for counseling licensure in Mississippi.
Top Counseling Programs in Mississippi
Mississippi has several excellent counseling programs that meet the state’s LPC requirements. Students should focus on programs that give them coursework and clinical experiences needed to get licensed.
Mississippi State University (MSU) has a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that lines up with Mississippi LPC requirements. Their CACREP-accredited program covers all ten required course areas and gives students complete clinical training opportunities. MSU’s 60-credit curriculum focuses on evidence-based counseling practices and gives students supervised practicum experiences.
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) runs a Master of Education in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program helps students meet Mississippi’s LPC requirements. Students get extensive clinical training through the university’s on-campus counseling center and community collaborations. The 60-credit hour program has specialized courses in addictions counseling and trauma-informed care.
Jackson State University runs a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Their 60-semester hour curriculum covers all course areas required by the Mississippi LPC Board. JSU makes things easier for working professionals with evening classes and strong ties to community mental health centers for internships.
William Carey University runs a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology that meets Mississippi LPC educational requirements. Students learn professional counseling standards with an integrated Christian worldview. The university’s campuses in Hattiesburg and Biloxi make it easier for students across the state. Their 60-credit program teaches crisis intervention and family systems therapy.
Delta State University offers a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that prepares future LPCs. The program focuses on rural mental health practice—something many Mississippi communities need. Delta State’s 60-credit curriculum covers required coursework and teaches multicultural counseling and telehealth practices.
These programs help you meet Mississippi LPC Board’s educational requirements. You should ask program directors about how their curriculum matches your counseling career goals before applying.
Internship and Other Requirements
After completing your counseling degree, you must meet the supervised experience requirements set by the Mississippi LPC Board. This significant phase connects your academic knowledge with the clinical skills you need to practice independently.
The Mississippi LPC Board requires 3,500 supervised hours of counseling experience in a clinical setting. These hours must span at least two years. You need to complete 1,167 hours of direct counseling services with clients, which includes case notes, consultations, and client assessments.
Your supervision must include 100 hours of one-on-one face-to-face supervision. You can get up to 50 of these hours during your graduate program. Group supervision can count for up to 50 hours, and two hours of group supervision equals one hour of individual supervision.
To start, you’ll need a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) credential that lets you practice under supervision. As a P-LPC, you must:
- Work under contract with a Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S)
- Track supervised experience through your online profile’s Supervision Reporting Log
- Stay under active supervision until you get your independent license
Your supervisor needs to be a Board Qualified Supervisor (LPC-S) with at least five years of mental health counseling practice and a Mississippi LPC license in good standing for at least two years.
When changing your practice setting, you’ll need to submit a new Post-Graduate Supervision Agreement, upload a new Declaration of Practice, and have your previous supervisor end the agreement formally.
You can apply for full LPC status once you complete the required hours and pass the necessary examinations. Note that you must renew P-LPC licenses yearly until you receive your LPC. Everything in supervision documentation is vital—you’ll forfeit any hours you don’t report promptly.
Examinations
You must pass several exams to get your counseling license in Mississippi. The path to becoming a licensed professional counselor follows a well-laid-out progression that lines up with each licensing stage.
The first step requires passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) to earn your Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) credential. You can take this exam without getting prior Board approval. The NCE tests your knowledge of counseling basics, and you’ll need a passing score before submitting your P-LPC application.
Your next step after finishing supervised experience is to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) to become a full LPC. This exam presents 10 mental health counseling cases to test your clinical problem-solving abilities. You’ll need to show your expertise in assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation, and supervision.
Mississippi’s licensing process also includes the Mississippi Jurisprudence Examination. This open-book test gives you 60 minutes to answer 35 multiple-choice questions about Mississippi Rules and Regulations and the American Counseling Association’s ethical codes. You must score at least 80% to pass.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) manages both the NCE and NCMHCE through the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). Testing happens during the first two full weeks of each month at Pearson professional centers. Mississippi offers testing centers in Jackson and Tupelo, but you can choose from 446+ Pearson centers worldwide.
Ready to register? Head to the NBCC website to access CCE’s ProCounselor portal. Remember that test slots fill up quickly since they’re given out first-come, first-served.
Licensing Fees
The financial investment plays a significant part in your experience to become a counselor in Mississippi. The Mississippi LPC Board maintains a detailed fee structure that covers different stages of licensure. You should plan your budget accordingly throughout your professional development.
Getting your Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC) status requires a non-refundable application fee of $50.00. You must renew this provisional license yearly at $50.00. The license remains valid up to four years.
The transition to full licensure after supervised experience comes with its own costs. You’ll pay $100.00 for the LPC application and $220.00 for the original license fee. Your LPC credential needs renewal every two years by June 30th of even-numbered years, which costs $220.00.
LPC-S supervisor status applicants pay a $50.00 application fee with a two-year renewal fee of the same amount. This credential requires two hours of continuing education in supervision.
Additional fees you may encounter:
- License verification to other entities: $25.00
- File transfer to other licensing boards: $40.00
- Replacement wall certificate: $30.00
- Name change processing: $30.00
- Reapplication fee (if application expires): $100.00
- Failure to notify address change: $50.00
- Annual non-practicing status: $50.00
Missing your renewal deadline results in a $100.00 reapplication fee. Payment by check or money order must reach the board by the deadline to avoid this penalty.
Your financial planning should include examination fees for the NCE and NCMHCE that range between $275-$375, depending on the examination provider.
Counseling Salaries in Mississippi
The salary outlook should be a top priority when you’re learning how to become a counselor in Mississippi. Your investment in education, supervised experience, and licensing fees needs careful evaluation against what you might earn. A clear picture of the money side helps you plan your career better.
Licensed Professional Counselors in Mississippi earn between $36,700 and $89,920 each year](https://www.lpc.ms.gov/secure/licenseexam.asp). The median salary sits at $56,160. These numbers change by a lot based on several factors that shape your earning potential.
Your experience as a counselor directly affects how much you make. New LPCs with less than five years under their belt usually earn closer to the lower end. Counselors with more than 10 years of clinical work make it to the higher pay ranges, especially if they run their own practice or move into leadership roles.
Where you work in Mississippi makes a big difference in your earnings. Cities like Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg pay more than rural areas. But rural counselors might do better with less competition and lower costs if they start their own practice.
Your choice of specialization can really boost your income. Counselors who focus on needed areas like substance abuse treatment, trauma recovery, or therapy for children and teens often charge higher rates. Mississippi’s LPC Board recognizes these specialties, which can lead to better-paying opportunities.
Your workplace setting affects your paycheck too. State agencies and community mental health centers offer steady but modest salaries with good benefits. Private or group practices might bring in varying income but with higher potential earnings. Schools and colleges pay middle-range salaries and give you great work-life balance with academic schedules.
Mississippi’s counselor salaries might be lower than the national average, but the state’s cheaper living costs make up for it. The strong need for mental health services across Mississippi creates plenty of chances to advance your career and earn more as you gain experience with your Mississippi LPC license.
Counseling Organizations in Mississippi
Professional counseling organizations can boost your career trip as you work to become a counselor in Mississippi. These groups are a great way to get resources, networking opportunities, and professional development that add to your formal education and licensing process.
The Mississippi Counseling Association (MCA) leads the state-level support for counseling professionals of all specialties. Members get access to annual conferences, continuing education opportunities, and advocacy efforts that fit Mississippi’s counseling world. MCA works closely with the Mississippi LPC Board and updates members about changes in licensure requirements.
The Mississippi Mental Health Counselors Association (MMHCA) helps specialists in mental health counseling with targeted resources and connections to other practitioners. They often run workshops about Mississippi LPC requirements and help new counselors find mentors.
School counselors can join the Mississippi Association for School Counselors (MASC). This group tackles the unique challenges in educational settings and helps with professional development and certification.
Several national associations have active Mississippi chapters:
- American Counseling Association (ACA) – Offers liability insurance, scholarly publications, and advocacy at both national and state levels
- American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) – Provides specialized resources for clinical mental health counselors
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) – Administers counselor certification programs and offers continuing education
Students can join most of these organizations at discounted rates while completing their counseling education. These professional connections help find supervision opportunities and jobs as you work toward full LPC status.
Membership costs range from $50-$200 per year based on the organization and membership level. The professional development, continuing education resources, and networking make membership worth the investment as you work to meet Mississippi LPC requirements.
Counseling Scholarships in Mississippi
Getting financial support for your counseling education plays a key role in becoming a counselor in Mississippi. Many scholarship opportunities can help you manage graduate study costs and achieve your career goals.
Mississippi universities with counseling programs should be your first stop for scholarships. Mississippi State University gives graduate assistantships to counseling students that include tuition waivers and stipends. Students with outstanding academic achievements can get the Counselor Education Graduate Award at the University of Mississippi. Jackson State University has dedicated several departmental scholarships just for counseling students.
State-level resources provide great funding options. The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid runs the Graduate Teacher Forgivable Loan Program. Counseling students who work in Mississippi schools can use this program. The loan gets forgiven if you work in areas with staff shortages after graduating.
Professional organizations are excellent sources of financial help. The Mississippi Counseling Association gives yearly scholarships to graduate students in counseling programs. The Mississippi Mental Health Counselors Association currently offers professional development grants to new counselors.
Mississippi residents can also tap into national scholarships. The National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation rewards master’s-level counseling students who serve underserved communities after graduation. The American Counseling Association and its divisions run multiple scholarship programs based on your specialization interests and diversity factors.
Building a complete financial strategy makes sense in this situation. You should combine scholarships with federal student aid through FAFSA. Part-time jobs that fit with your studies can help too. Graduate assistantships or work-study positions give you valuable experience and financial support.
Your program’s financial aid office should be your go-to resource during scholarship searches. They have the latest information about funding opportunities that match Mississippi’s LPC requirements and counseling education paths.
Start Your Career Today
Starting a career as a licensed professional counselor in Mississippi is a rewarding path that can make a real difference. Mississippi ranks 42nd nationwide in treatment access, and this gap creates real chances for qualified counselors to help. Your commitment to complete tough educational requirements, accumulate 3,500 supervised hours, and pass the required examinations will help meet a critical need across communities statewide.
The money you invest in your counseling career—from education costs to licensing fees—should be compared to the promising salary range of $36,700 to $89,920 per year. On top of that, many scholarship opportunities and professional organizations are ready to support you at every step. Groups like the Mississippi Counseling Association offer resources that go well beyond your original licensure.
Mississippi’s counseling world needs dedicated professionals who want to improve mental health outcomes. Your skills and training can help bridge the gap between the high prevalence of mental illness (39.2%) and the limited number of qualified providers. Yes, it is true that becoming a licensed counselor in Mississippi lets you build a stable career while making a real difference in a state where mental health services are critically underrepresented.
The path in this piece shows how each step—from picking the right CACREP-accredited program to completing your supervised hours—takes you closer to a profession with both personal and community benefits. Your choice to become a licensed counselor in Mississippi is a chance to change lives while building a rewarding professional future.