How to Become a Licensed Counselor in North Dakota

Considering becoming a counselor in North Dakota? You could earn $66,200 per year on average.

This career gives you both job satisfaction and steady income. North Dakota recognizes two types of licensed professionals – Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Associate Professional Counselors (LAPCs). Your status depends on whether you’ve completed supervision. The North Dakota board of addiction counseling examiners requires 60 semester credits at the master’s level for any counseling program since 2017.

The path to becoming an LPC needs commitment. You’ll need 400 hours working with clients and 100 hours under supervision. Right now, about 730 mental health counselors work across the state. Your success in this field depends on knowing the education requirements, exam process, and licensing steps clearly.

Let’s get into everything you need to know about becoming a licensed counselor in North Dakota. We’ll cover program selection, supervision hours, and what comes next.

Education Requirements in North Dakota

A master’s level education serves as the foundation to become a professional counselor in North Dakota. All counseling programs must include 60 semester credits since July 2017. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) sets these standards, which most employers consider first when hiring counselors.

Students must earn their master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. The degree should focus on counseling, counselor education, counseling and guidance, or counseling and development. The program’s detailed coursework must cover these areas:

• Counseling theories and methods
• Group counseling techniques
• Individual appraisal or testing
• Statistics or research methods
• Human growth and development
• Social and cultural foundations
• Career and lifestyle development
• Professional orientation and ethics

Practical experience plays a vital role in a counselor’s development. Students need to complete a 100-hour counseling practicum and a 600-hour supervised internship. Some specializations demand additional training. Clinical mental health counseling students at NDSU, to cite an instance, must finish 100 hours of practicum in their Community Counseling Services clinic and 900 hours of internship at a community center.

The path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) starts with earning the Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) status after completing the master’s degree. The LAPC program requires 100 hours of direct supervision, with 60 hours of individual face-to-face supervision, and 800 hours of direct client therapy.

School counseling candidates face additional requirements. Their coursework must include elementary and secondary school counseling topics. They also need a supervised school counseling internship with 450 contact hours, split between elementary and secondary levels (150 hours each).

Licensed Professional Counselors can advance their careers by getting the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credential through specialized training and experience.

Counseling Programs in North Dakota

North Dakota’s counseling programs meet strict state licensure requirements. Students should think over key factors like CACREP accreditation, program focus areas, and graduation success rates before choosing their path.

5 Top Programs in North Dakota

North Dakota State University (NDSU) NDSU’s Master of Education and Master of Science in Counseling programs focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. These CACREP-accredited programs need 60 semester credits. The program’s training clinic lets students get real-life experience before their internship phase.

University of North Dakota (UND) UND runs a CACREP-accredited Master’s in Counseling program with K-12 School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Addiction Counseling tracks. The addiction counseling path works great if you want credentials from the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners after graduating.

University of Mary The University of Mary in Bismarck offers a Master of Science in Counseling that prepares students for LPC licensure and school counseling credentials. Their program combines ethical practice with a Christian worldview and meets all state requirements.

Minot State University Minot State’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling aligns perfectly with North Dakota’s licensure requirements. The program’s rural mental health courses are valuable for students planning to help underserved communities in the state.

Tri-College University Partnership This partnership between NDSU, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Concordia College lets students take courses at all three schools. Students get more flexibility and learning options than typical single-school programs can offer.

Reach out to each program directly to learn about current admission requirements, costs, and class schedules. Most programs offer full-time and part-time options that work well for busy professionals. Ask about their CACREP accreditation status too – it helps with license mobility and job prospects later.

Internship and Other Requirements

Hands-on experience is crucial to becoming a counselor in North Dakota. You need significant supervised practice hours beyond your academic coursework to get your license.

A North Dakota counseling license requires a 700-hour counseling internship or practicum as part of your degree program. This stands apart from mandatory post-graduate supervision. LPC licensure needs a two-year Plan of Supervision with 400 hours of client contact and 100 hours of direction from an approved supervisor. You’ll need 60 of these hours in one-on-one supervision.

LPCC credentials demand more. You must complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s clinical supervised experience within two years, plus at least 100 hours of supervision.

Note that supervision must happen at regular intervals throughout the two-year period. Your supervision should involve active counseling with ground clients and include treatment plans and progress notes. Each year of LAPC licensure requires you to counsel at least ten different clients – five individual clients and five who can be from group sessions.

School counselors face different requirements. They need a supervised school counseling internship of at least 450 contact hours. This must include a minimum of 150 hours at both elementary and secondary levels.

Whatever your specialization path, you can’t receive supervision in a practice where you have ownership interest. You must also report any breaks in supervision to the appropriate board right away. Client informed consent agreements need documentation of your internship and supervision details.

Most counselor programs in North Dakota help arrange internship placements. Students at the University of North Dakota usually complete their internship in their second year. The program’s Internship Coordinator helps arrange each student’s experience individually.

Examinations

You’ll need to pass standardized exams as a key step to become a licensed counselor in North Dakota. The exam you take depends on the license type you want.

The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is required to get your Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status. This 200-question multiple-choice test gives a complete picture of your knowledge in six main areas:

• 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%)

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) candidates must first get their LPC license and then pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). The NCMHCE is more specialized and includes 11 case studies. Each case study has 9-15 multiple-choice questions that test your clinical problem-solving skills.

School counselor candidates need to pass the Praxis II School Counselor (5422) exam along with other license requirements.

The National Board for Certified Counselors runs both the NCE and NCMHCE. The exam costs $275, and you’ll need approval from North Dakota’s Board of Counselor Examiners before you can register. You can take the test at locations in Bismarck and Fargo, or at any Pearson professional center across the country.

Your exam approval stays valid for six months once you register. The waiting period between retakes is three months if you don’t pass. Tests usually happen during the first two to three full weeks each month, and spots are filled as people sign up.

The North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners can approve special accommodations that remain valid for one year.

Licensing Fees

The financial investment is a vital aspect of becoming a counselor in North Dakota. A clear understanding of licensing fees will help you plan your professional experience more effectively.

The North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners maintains specific fees for different counseling credentials. The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) application comes with a $150 non-refundable fee. This payment initiates your licensure process and covers the simple administrative costs of application review.

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) credentials also require a $150 application fee. Professionals advancing from LAPC to LPC status need to pay another $150 application fee.

License renewal becomes a regular professional expense. LPC licenses need renewal every two years at $150. Professionals holding both LPC and LPCC credentials can save money by renewing them together for $225 instead of separate renewals.

Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC) and Master Licensed Addiction Counselors (MLAC) through the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners follow different fee structures. These licenses expire on December 31st of odd-numbered years and cost $300 for renewal.

Marriage and family therapy professionals have their own fee schedule. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) renewals cost $400, while Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) renewals are $130. LAMFT licenses can only be renewed once during a 36-month period.

You should expect these additional costs:

• Transcript evaluation fees for out-of-state institutions
• LAPC extension fee of $100
• Late renewal penalty of $100 for expired licenses

Counselor program graduates needing transcript evaluation may need to pay the National Board for Certified Counselors directly.

Submit all licensing fees with your application or renewal forms to process your credentials quickly.

Counseling Salaries in North Dakota

Knowing what you can earn as a counselor in North Dakota helps you plan your career path better. Becoming a counselor needs major educational and licensing investments. The good news is that your expertise and dedication will be rewarded with reasonable compensation.

Your earnings as a counselor in North Dakota depend on several key factors:

• Experience level – Entry-level counselors typically earn less than those with several years of practice
• Education credentials – Advanced degrees and specialized certifications often command higher salaries
• Practice setting – Private practice, hospitals, schools, and community centers each offer different compensation structures
• Geographic location – Urban areas like Bismarck and Fargo generally offer higher salaries than rural communities
• Specialization – Certain counseling specialties, particularly those addressing high-need populations, may offer premium compensation

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health counselors in North Dakota earn an average annual salary of approximately $66,200. This figure beats the national average. In spite of that, this represents a midpoint in a range that spans from entry-level positions to experienced specialists.

Counselors who complete specialized training through an addiction counselor program can access better job opportunities. Getting credentials through the north dakota board of addiction counseling examiners opens doors to competitive salary structures.

School counselors earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually. This varies by school district and experience level. Clinical mental health counselors in private practice see more income variation. Many set their fees between $80 to $150 per session.

Money matters, but most counselors find deep satisfaction in helping clients through life’s challenges. This satisfaction goes beyond just the paycheck. Job prospects look promising in most counseling specialties across North Dakota. Growth rates in this field are expected to beat many other occupations through 2030.

Your earning potential grows as you advance through your counselor program and gain experience. The original investment in education and licensing pays off with long-term career satisfaction and financial stability.

Counseling Organizations in North Dakota

Becoming a member of professional counseling organizations helps you establish yourself after completing your counselor program in North Dakota. These associations are a great way to get resources, networking opportunities, and continuing education that boost your career growth.

The North Dakota Counseling Association (NDCA) is the main professional organization for counselors across the state. Your membership with this American Counseling Association affiliate connects you to local and national resources. NDCA membership gives you:

• Access to specialized professional development workshops
• Advocacy for counseling legislation at the state level
• Networking events with experienced professionals
• Discounted rates for annual conferences
• Job postings specific to North Dakota opportunities

Specialty organizations like the North Dakota School Counselor Association (NDSCA) provide focused support for educational setting professionals. Addiction counselors can benefit from the North Dakota Addiction Counselors Association, which collaborates with the North Dakota board of addiction counseling examiners to set professional standards.

Most employers value active membership in these organizations. These associations also provide supervision opportunities that are vital to progress from associate to fully licensed status.

North Dakota’s major cities—Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot—have regional counseling organization chapters. Local groups host regular informal gatherings where you can discuss challenges unique to North Dakota communities.

Your active participation in professional organizations, combined with formal education, shows your dedication to ethical practice and continuous professional growth. Students can join many organizations at reduced rates while completing their counselor program.

These professional connections help guide you through North Dakota’s counseling career path. They provide direction for licensure requirements, exam preparation, and job placement—building a supportive community that strengthens your professional experience.

Counseling Scholarships in North Dakota

Paying for your education is one of the biggest challenges you’ll face to become a counselor in North Dakota. Many scholarship opportunities are available for counseling students that can make your educational costs more manageable.

Students enrolled in counselor programs can access scholarships through the North Dakota University System. These awards range from $500 to $5,000 per academic year. The amount depends on academic merit, financial need, or counseling specializations. Your school’s financial aid office can provide details about application deadlines.

The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 yearly for students who plan to teach in high-need fields at schools serving low-income students. This option works great for future school counselors, though you’ll need to fulfill service commitments after graduating.

Professional organizations provide dedicated scholarship funds for counseling students. The American Counseling Association Foundation gives multiple scholarships between $1,000 and $5,000 to graduate students in counseling programs. Organizations like the American Mental Health Counselors Association have similar opportunities.

Students pursuing credentials through the North Dakota Board of Addiction Counseling Examiners can find dedicated scholarships. The National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) offers awards to support students who want to help people with substance use disorders.

Licensed mental health professionals can also benefit from loan forgiveness programs. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program pays up to $50,000 if you commit to working in designated shortage areas for two years.

Your chances of getting financial help increase when you apply to multiple funding sources. Start looking for scholarships early and keep track of application requirements, deadlines, and materials to get the most funding for your counseling education.

Start Your Path Today

Getting your counseling license in North Dakota takes dedication and careful planning. This piece outlines the complete requirements you’ll need – a 60-credit master’s program, specific practicum experiences, and passing national exams. The financial aspects include application fees, renewal costs, and scholarship options that can help with educational expenses.

The path might look tough at first. But both the financial and personal rewards make it worth the effort. North Dakota creates excellent opportunities for counseling professionals, with average salaries near $60,000 per year and strong job growth projections.

Your professional growth doesn’t stop at licensure. The North Dakota Counseling Association offers great resources throughout your career. Their professional networks give you access to mentors, continuing education, and advocacy support – all crucial for long-term success.

North Dakota needs qualified professionals in school counseling, addiction treatment, and clinical mental health practice. The thorough licensing process will give you the skills to serve clients effectively and ethically.

Each step builds your competence as a professional counselor – from picking the right program to finishing supervision hours. The licensing requirements might seem complex, but they create a foundation for a rewarding career. You’ll help others direct their way through life’s challenges and achieve better mental health outcomes.