Texas licenses independent clinical counselors as the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council). Texas is not a Counseling Compact member. Below: what Texas asks of a counselor already licensed in another state, and where those applications slow down.
Texas LPC License Requirements
The independent clinical license in Texas is the LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).
Texas also issues the LPC-S (supervisor status on an LPC license), so confirm which tier your work and your payers require.
Exams named for licensure: NCE, NCMHCE and Texas Jurisprudence Exam. The NCE or NCMHCE, plus the Texas Jurisprudence Exam completed within six months of applying.
3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience for the independent license.
Those hours are completed under the associate credential, the LPC Associate (Licensed Professional Counselor Associate).
Texas requires a state law or jurisprudence exam.
Licensed elsewhere: Texas offers no reciprocity, endorsement or temporary license. Counselors licensed elsewhere must meet every Occupations Code ch. 503 requirement, including documented practicum and 3,000 supervised hours, regardless of years licensed.
How Much Does a Texas LPC License Cost?
We have not published a Texas figure yet
We have not verified Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council)'s current schedule, and board fees change between legislative sessions
We handle the Texas application end-to-end.
Eligibility screening, document prep, board follow-ups, and tracking — so you don't lose a board meeting cycle to a missing form.
View full pricingWhere Texas Applications Get Delayed
Texas has no endorsement shortcut, so a counselor licensed elsewhere documents their education, hours and exam as a new applicant would.
Supervised experience is 3,000 hours with at least 1,500 direct client hours over at least 18 months, earned as an LPC Associate.
Out-of-state applicants must send practicum documentation, a Supervised Experience Documentation Form, the jurisprudence certificate and an NPDB self-query, however long they have been licensed.
Texas is not a Counseling Compact member. Compact bills filed in 2025 (HB 1537, SB 498) did not pass, and the legislature next meets in regular session in 2027.
Supervisor attestations and verifications from other boards take the longest. Request them the week you decide to apply, not the week you file.
Renewing Your Texas LPC License
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
CE Requirement
24 CE hours per renewal cycle
The Counseling Compact and Texas
Texas is not a Counseling Compact member, so there is no privilege-to-practice route here. Practicing with clients located in Texas takes a Texas license, through endorsement where the state offers it or a full application where it does not.
Addiction counselors in Texas
Texas credentials addiction counselors as LCDC, through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program. That credential is separate from the LPC, and the Counseling Compact does not cover it. LCDCs are licensed by HHSC, not the counselor board. Applicants start as a counselor intern unless applying by reciprocity.
Keeping it current
Texas renews the LPC every 2 years, with 24 hours of continuing education per cycle. At least 6 hours of ethics and 3 in distinct populations and competency; at least 12 from approved providers since 2024-01-01. LPCs must pass the jurisprudence exam again every renewal. If you hold licenses in several states, each runs its own calendar and its own CE rules, which is most of what our annual compliance service tracks.
Texas LPC License FAQ
What is the counselor license called in Texas?
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Can I use the Counseling Compact for Texas?
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I'm licensed in another state. How do I get licensed in Texas?
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Which exam does Texas accept?
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Where these facts come from
Checked against primary sources. Boards change rules between sessions, so we confirm the current process again before anything is filed.
- board name, LPC, LPC Associate, LPC-S — checked 2026-10-08
- NCE or NCMHCE, jurisprudence, 3,000/1,500/18 months — checked 2026-10-08
- no reciprocity, endorsement or temporary license; documents required — checked 2026-10-08
- CE 24 hours, jurisprudence each renewal — checked 2026-10-08
- biennial renewal — checked 2026-10-08
- HHSC licenses LCDCs — checked 2026-10-08
- 2025 compact bill introduced — checked 2026-10-08
- Texas not a member — checked 2026-10-08
What Working with Us Costs
Transparent, a la carte service fees. Board, exam and fingerprinting fees are paid directly to those organizations. Our concierge fee is separate and is the only thing you pay us.
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