Maintaining licensure

“Engage in activities to maintain licensure status” (NBCC, 2027 task 6.6)

A counseling license must be actively maintained: renewed on time, supported by continuing education, and kept in good standing by following the board's rules. Practicing on a lapsed license is practicing without a license. The exam tests renewal responsibilities and interaction with the state board.

Key points

Each state board sets its own renewal cycle, fees, continuing education hours and required topics; know your board's rules.
Keep records of continuing education and supervision; boards audit renewals.
Report required changes to the board, such as name or address changes, criminal charges or convictions where required, and disciplinary action in other states.
Pre-licensed counselors must follow supervision requirements and register supervisors as their state requires.
Check the board's website for rule changes, and access it to verify license status and requirements.
Practicing with an expired license can lead to discipline and may affect insurance reimbursement and liability coverage.
Counselors who hold licenses in more than one state must meet each state's requirements, unless practicing under a compact privilege.

In practice

A counselor sets a reminder six months before her renewal date, checks the board's site, discovers a new requirement for two hours on suicide prevention, and completes it before applying.

An associate counselor changes supervisors when she moves to a new agency. She files the board's supervisor change form before starting work there, as her state requires.

Check yourself

Who determines a counselor's license renewal requirements?

The state licensing board in each state where the counselor is licensed.

What risk does a counselor take by practicing after the license expires?

Practicing without a license, which can lead to discipline and affect reimbursement and liability coverage.

Why keep records of continuing education?

Boards audit renewals and may require proof of completed hours.

NBCC's knowledge and skills for Domain 6

Knowledge of: State laws (state licensure law, supervision requirements, abuse reporting, license renewal, CAQH); Federal laws (e.g., HIPAA, FERPA, immigration policy, HI-TECH, ADA, NPI); Codes of ethics; Third-party reimbursement, insurance and billing (e.g., CPT codes); Counseling Compact; Emerging technologies in Counseling; Crisis policies and procedures; Recording keeping and reporting requirements and procedures; Appropriate logistics for telemental health services; Scope of practice (e.g., letters of support, working with special populations); Alternative medical-assisted/pharmacological interventions; Accessing state licensure board; Executing voluntary and involuntary commitments.

Skill in: Maintaining confidentiality; Discerning reputable training providers and programs; Troubleshooting technological difficulties during telemental health session (e.g., session disconnects, video not working); Billing and third-party reimbursement.

A study guide written by ExamDragon from NBCC's published task; not NBCC material and not part of the exam.