Counseling Degrees & Licenses in Alabama

Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in Alabama

Alabama State University

Alabama State University is a historically Black public university founded in 1867.

The school’s College of Education offers a master of education in school counseling program, a 48-semester-hour program that includes two three-credit practicum and a three-credit internship. The master of science in clinical mental health counseling program is a 60-semester-hour program that also includes practicums and an internship. The educational specialist in school counseling program is 33 to 36 semester-hours and includes one to two internships (300-600 clinical hours). The educational specialist degree in clinical mental health counseling is a 33- to 36-semester-hour program, including one to two internships.

Programs are offered in-person, online, and hybrid. The school’s College of Health Sciences offers a master of science in rehabilitation counseling. To complete the master’s degree program in rehabilitation counseling, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester-hours and take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor’s exam.

Graduates of the school’s occupational therapy program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After completing this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR).

• Location: Montgomery, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling programs (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)); occupational therapy program (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE))
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years; School counseling (48 to 51 credits); clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); educational specialist degrees (33 to 36 credits); rehabilitation counseling (60 credits); occupational therapy (91 credits)
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($412 per hour); non-resident ($824 per hour)

Auburn University

Auburn University is a public university and the second-largest university in Alabama. Auburn’s College of Education offers three CACREP-accredited master’s of education degree programs through the Department of Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling. All programs are available online or on campus and each of them includes a 100 clock-hour practicum course and a 600 clock-hour internship. The online program requires students to be on campus one week each semester, which generally occurs the first or second week of the semester.

The curriculum includes courses such as counseling theory; introduction to counseling practice; orientation to professional counseling; advanced theories in counseling practice; introduction to rehabilitation and case management in rehabilitation counseling; advanced clinical mental health counseling interventions; orientation to clinical mental health counseling; foundations of school counseling; and leadership and advocacy for school counselors.

• Location: Auburn, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP); the school counseling program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years; 60 credits
• Estimated Tuition: On-campus cost (starts at $577 per credit); online cost (starts at $630 per credit)

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University is a public university founded in 1883. The Counseling & Instructional Support Department of the School of Education offers either a master of science or an educational specialist degree in clinical mental health counseling. It also offers a master of science in education or an educational specialist degree in school counseling. Both educational specialist degrees consist of 30 credits and can be completed entirely online.

The clinical mental health counseling program prepares students for LPC licensure in Alabama, Georgia, and other states. The school counseling program prepares students to address the needs of elementary and secondary students’ academic, career, and personal/social development. Completion of this program leads to eligibility for Class A teacher certification in school counseling. Successful completion of the Praxis II exam is required before beginning any internships.

The school counseling program has two options: traditional certification and non-certification. Individuals pursuing the traditional approach to school counseling certification must hold a bachelor’s- or master’s-level professional educator certificate in a teaching field or a master’s level professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support. The CACREP-accredited non-certified option requires a bachelor’s degree but not an educator certificate.

• Location: Jacksonville, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years; clinical mental health counseling (60 credits); school counseling (45 to 48 credits); both educational specialist degrees (30 credits each)
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($410 per credit); non-resident ($820 per credit); online ($410 per credit)

Troy University

Troy University is a public university founded in 1887. The school has a wealth of counseling educational programs to choose from. Their life-changing counseling programs include master of science (MS) degrees in substance abuse, rehabilitation, clinical mental health, and student affairs counseling.

They offer a non-licensure, non-certification general counseling master of science as well as master of science and educational specialist degrees in school counseling and education specialist counseling. This EdS degree provides a post-master’s training and experience program to help mental health counselors to prepare for supervision and leadership roles.

Many of the school’s programs are offered at various Alabama and Florida campuses and are offered as blended programs, which combine both online and face-to-face courses. They also offer post-master’s certificates focusing on addictions, clinical counseling, counseling military populations, counseling deaf and hard of hearing populations and counseling infants and young children.

• Location: Troy, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); clinical mental health, school, and rehabilitation counseling (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)); the school counseling program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: 2.5 to three years; clinical mental health, school, and rehabilitation counseling (60 credits each); substance abuse counseling and student affairs counseling (48 credits each)
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($475 per credit); non-resident ($950 per credit); online ($475 per credit)

The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public research university established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831. It is the oldest and largest of the public universities in Alabama. The school’s Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling in the College of Education offers master of arts (MA) degrees in clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling (online), school counseling, and educational psychology. They also offer education specialist (EdS) degrees in counselor education and educational psychology.

The master of arts program in clinical mental health counseling prepares graduates for employment in private and public mental health settings. This 60-credit program includes courses such as introduction to clinical mental health counseling; multicultural approach counseling; and substance abuse counseling.

The online rehabilitation counseling master’s degree is designed to prepare graduates to serve persons with disabilities in various work settings. The program’s curriculum provides both experiential and didactic learning opportunities and culminates in a 600-hour internship. Comprising 60 credits, the program includes courses such as case management, vocational rehabilitation & placement; orientation to rehabilitation counseling; and psychopathology.

The 60-credit master of arts degree in school counseling provides prospective school counselors with the necessary skills to establish and conduct effective developmental guidance and counseling programs in pre-k-12 school settings. Courses include principles of guidance; professional counseling; and program development & management.

• Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)); the school counseling program is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years; clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling (60 credits); EdS degrees (30 to 33 credits beyond the master of arts)
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($5,550 for nine to 15 hours); non-resident ($16,200 for nine to 15 hours); please note that enrolled hours over 15 are assessed an overload tuition charge of $485 per hour for graduate residents and $1,660 for graduate non-residents; online students ($440 per credit)

University of Alabama – Birmingham

The counseling program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a master of arts degree with three possible concentration options: clinical mental health; marriage, couples, and family; and school counseling. Admission requirements are the same for all three concentrations. The clinical mental health and school counseling concentrations meet the academic and field experience requirements established by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC) for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC).

The marriage, couples, and family concentration prepares students for a path to licensure as marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). The school also offers a 15-credit post-master’s certificate in clinical mental health or marriage, couples, and family counseling.

The curriculum includes courses such as theories of individual counseling; diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders; foundations of substance abuse; introduction to couples and family counseling; counseling children and adolescents; marriage and couples counseling; foundations of school counseling; special issues for school counselors; and suicide prevention.

• Location: Birmingham, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); clinical mental health counseling, marriage, couples, and family counseling, and school counseling (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP))
• Expected Time to Completion: Three years; clinical mental health and marriage, couples, and family degrees (61 credits); school counseling program (64 to 67 credits)
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($468 per credit); non-resident ($1,109 per credit)

University of Montevallo

The University of Montevallo is a public university founded in 1896. It is Alabama’s only public liberal arts college. The school offers a master’s degree in counseling in three areas: clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, or couples and family counseling. These counseling master’s degree programs are for those who have earned bachelor’s degrees or higher and wish to pursue careers in the mental health field.

All tracks are accredited by the CACREP, meet the academic requirements for Alabama’s LPC credential and those who complete the couples and family counseling program will be eligible to pursue the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license.

This 60-credit program’s core curriculum includes courses such as theories/techniques of counseling; assessment in counseling; professional, ethical, and legal issues in counseling; group procedures in counseling; crisis intervention and trauma-informed counseling; and advanced human growth and development.

The clinical mental health counseling track includes courses such as grief and loss counseling; addicted families; family life skills and consultation; and clinical mental health counseling. The couples and family counseling track includes courses such as intimacy and sexuality; couples and family counseling; and diagnosis and treatment planning.

The school counseling track includes courses such as classroom management for school counselors; counseling suicidal clients & their families; and play therapy.

• Location: Montevallo, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years; 60 credits
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($438 per credit); non-resident ($1,047 per credit)

The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is the state’s oldest public university. The school’s Department of Counselor Education offers master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling (master of arts) and school counseling (master of arts in education).

The clinical mental health coursework prepares students for National Counselor Certification, National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Certification, and state counselor licensure. After graduating from the school counselor program, students are eligible for certification as school counselors in Alabama.

Both programs require completion of 60 credits and include courses such as fundamentals of counseling; theories and techniques of counseling; group counseling; addictions counseling; crisis intervention in counseling; child and adolescent counseling; diagnosis and treatment planning in counseling; contemporary practices in clinical mental health counseling; family counseling; survey of students with disabilities; and professional identity and ethics for school counselors.

• Location: Florence, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years; 60 credits
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($495 per credit); non-resident ($990 per credit)

University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama is a public research university that was created in 1963. The school’s Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions offers a master of science in occupational therapy. The College of Education and Professional Studies offers a master of science in clinical mental health counseling and a master of education in school counseling. Please note that the Department of Occupational Therapy’s master of science in occupational therapy is a non-licensure track.

Students in the clinical mental health counseling program take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). They are also eligible to become members of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and/or the American Mental Health Counselors Association.

• Location: Mobile, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); clinical mental health counseling and school counseling (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)); occupational therapy (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE))
• Expected Time to Completion: Occupational therapy (95 credits); school counseling and clinical mental health counseling (60 credits each)
• Estimated Tuition: Graduate courses in the College of Education and Professional Studies (Alabama resident: $480 per credit; non-resident: $960 per credit); non-clinical graduate courses in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health (Alabama resident: $505 per credit; non-resident: $1,010 per credit)

Auburn University at Montgomery

In the Counselor Education graduate program, Auburn University at Montgomery’s College of Education offers a master’s degree as well as an education specialist (EdS) in two specialty tracks: clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. Students in these programs will be able to develop theories and skills that are applicable in career settings such as play therapy, higher education, school counseling, private practice counseling, adult development and aging/gerontology, and non-traditional settings. Several classes in these degree programs are available in both an in-class as well as an online format.

Both master’s degrees comprise 60 credits and include courses such as professional orientation to clinical mental health counseling; professional orientation to school counseling; ethical & legal issues in counseling; group dynamics and procedures in counseling; school counseling consultation; program planning for school counseling; school crisis plans; assessment and diagnosis of abnormal behavior; disaster and crisis intervention; and systemic couples and family counseling.

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the education specialist (EdS) programs.

• Location: Montgomery, AL
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years; master’s degrees (60 credits each); education specialist (EdS) programs (30 credits)
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($451 per credit); non-resident ($1,014 per credit); online ($451 per credit)

Alabama A&M University

Alabama A&M University, or Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, is a historically Black public university founded in 1875. The school’s master of science in counseling degree program requires 60 credits of coursework with thesis and non-thesis (63 credits) options. This program offers a specialization in clinical rehabilitation counseling with options for part-time and full-time students as well as a specialization in school counseling.

The curriculum includes core courses such as counseling theories; group counseling; counseling and helping relationships; professional orientation in counseling; and diagnosis and treatment planning. The clinical rehabilitation concentration includes courses such as introduction to rehabilitation counseling; job development and placement; medical and psychological aspects of rehabilitation; and case management for rehabilitation. The school counseling concentration includes courses such as foundations of school counseling; organization and administration of guidance; and problems in counseling with adolescents.

• Location: Huntsville, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years; 60 to 63 credits
• Estimated Tuition: Alabama resident ($422 per hour); non-resident ($840 per hour)

Faulkner University

Faulkner University’s College of Education master of science program in clinical mental health counseling and a master of education program in school counseling.

Graduates of the 61-credit clinical mental health counseling program will be qualified to work in a variety of mental health and people-helping careers and will also be eligible to pursue licensure through the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling and become Licensed Professional Counselors in Alabama. Nearly 85 percent of this program’s curriculum is available online. Students will be required to come on campus twice during this program for two clinical training sessions. The counseling practicum and internship in counseling course requirements are hands-on field experiences.

The 60-credit master of education program in school counseling is led by dedicated instructors who bring extensive educational and counseling experience to the classroom. Upon completion of this degree, graduates will be prepared to provide the mental health services youth needs for thriving in school and beyond. In addition to the fully online coursework, students will be required to attend clinical training at Faulkner’s Montgomery campus as part of their education and field experience module.

• Location: Montgomery, Alabama
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two years; clinical mental health counseling (61 credits); school counseling (60 credits)
• Estimated Tuition: clinical mental health counseling ($555 per semester hour); school counseling ($475 per semester hour)

Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in Alabama

• Alabama Counseling Association
• Alabama School Counselor Association
• American Mental Health Counselors Association
• Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling
• Alabama Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
• Alabama Association for Play Therapy (AAPT)
• Alabama Association of School Psychologists (AASP)
• Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Alabama Council for Behavioral Healthcare (ACBH)
• Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA)
• Alabama Department of Mental Health
• Alabama Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
• Alabama Psychological Association
• Alabama State Board of Social Worker Examiners
• Drug Education Council – Alabama
• National Alliance on Mental Illness 
• Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
• Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
• Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS)
• Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA)
• Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA)

Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in Alabama: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC)	Alabama credentials Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). To be licensed as an ALC, candidates must: Have completed a master’s degree from a CACREP or CORE accredited school of at least 60 semester-hours or 90 quarter-hours. The program must include a 100-hour practicum, 40 of those hours must be direct client contact as well as one hour of direct supervision and 1.5 hours of group supervision per week, and a 600-hour internship with 240 hours of direct client contact along with 2.5 hours of supervision a week and at least one hour of individual supervision per week. Submit three letters of recommendation, two of which must be from supervisors. Provide official school transcripts to the ABEC board. Submit a proposed supervision plan for work experience, including names of supervising counselors, goals for the supervision, and strategies to meet those goals. Complete an application for an ALC license. Pay the $200 application fee. To progress from an ALC to LPC, candidates must: Complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience, Of those 3,000 hours, 2,250 hours must be direct service hours and 750 of indirect service hours. All hours must be under the supervision of a supervising counselor. Pass a national counselor exam such as the NCE. Submit three recommendations, two from supervisors from the work experience. Complete and submit an application to the ABEC board. Pay $200 application fee If graduate coursework beyond the master’s is completed, candidates may subtract 1,000 hours of supervised work experience for every 15 graduate semester-hours or 22.5 quarter-hours of coursework directly related to counseling. (A minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience is required, regardless of the number of credits earned.)	In Alabama, ALC or LPC licenses expire every two years. To renew a license, counselors must: Complete continuing education units through approved providers such as the NBCC or CRCC. ALCs must complete 10 hours, two of which must be in ethics, and LPCs must complete 40, six of which must be in ethics. Pay a $300 renewal fee for LPCs or $150 for ALCs

School Counseling Licenses in Alabama

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama State Department of Education	There are three primary methods of obtaining certification as a school counselor in Alabama. The first is through a Provisional Certificate In Library Media Or School Counseling (PCLS). The PCLS eligibility requirements of this pathway include: An FBI background check A master’s degree in school counseling OR other counseling field and holds a valid license issued by a state board of examiners in counseling A work assignment and a mentor A completed application $38 application fee Passing score on relevant Praxis exams Once a candidate has completed two years of work experience while holding a PCLS they can apply for a full Professional Educator Certificate.	PCLSs are valid for one year. To renew candidates must provide proof of one full year of work as a school counselor, and pay a $38 renewal fee. All other teaching licenses issued in Alabama are valid for five years. To renew, counselors must complete a renewal application, pay a $38 application fee, and meet one of the following requirements: Three years of full-time professional educational work experience and 50 hours of allowable professional development Three years of full-time professional educational work experience and three semester hours of allowable credit Three semester hours of allowable credit and 50 hours of allowable professional development Six semester hours of allowable credit 100 hours of allowable professional development Earn a Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in Alabama

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (AADAA) Alabama Association of Addiction Counselor Certification Board (AAACCB)	There are two certification bodies for substance abuse counselors in Alabama: the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (AADAA) and the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselor Certification Board (AAACCB). Credentials issued by the AADAA include: Associate Addiction Professional (AAP), Certified Adolescent Alcohol & Drug Abuse Professional (CAADP), Alcohol Drug Counselor (ADC), Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (AADC). Additional certification in criminal justice, prevention, and supervision can be earned through IC&RC examinations and relevant work experience. Eligibility requirements for an AAP certification include: 2,000 hours of work experience, including 150 supervision hours 140 hours of education related to the four domains of substance abuse counseling, including four hours of HIV/AIDS and six hours of ethics Passing score on state written exam Signed code of ethics Completed supervision form and three colleague forms A completed application $175 exam fee, $95 Counselor Certification Kit, and $250 application fee CAADP certification candidates must: Submit a portfolio of work experience Have 6,000 hours of work experience (a bachelor’s can substitute for 2,000 hours of experience and a master’s can substitute for 4,000) Complete 300 hours of supervision in four different domains Complete 300 hours of education and training (six hours must be in ethics and four in HIV/AIDS) Send three colleague evaluations Complete supervisor evaluation Pass state-level written exam Pay $350 exam fee, $95 Counselor Certification Kit, and $250 application fee Submit a completed application ADC certification candidates must: Submit a portfolio of work experience Have 6,000 hours of work experience (a bachelor’s can substitute for 2,000 hours of experience and a master’s can substitute for 4,000) Complete 300 hours of supervision in four different domains Complete 300 hours of education and training (six hours must be in ethics and four in HIV/AIDS) Send three colleague evaluations Complete supervisor evaluation Pass IC&RC written exam Pay $350 exam fee, $95 Counselor Certification Kit, and $250 application fee Submit a completed application AADC certification candidates must: Have 2,000 hours of AADC related supervised work experience Have a master’s degree in a related field and 180 hours of education specific to AADC (six hours must be in ethics) Pass the IC&RC AADC exam Pay $350 exam fee, $95 Counselor Certification Kit, and $250 application fee Submit a completed application The AAACCB certifies both Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC) and Senior Alcohol and Drug Counselors (SADC). Certification for ADC requires: Current NAADAC membership Two years of work experience in the Substance Use Disorder field 60 hours of continuing education units in Substance Use Disorder field Four qualifying application points through education or work experience Six hours of continuing education units in ethics and HIV/AIDS in the past five years A completed application Three competency evaluation forms from supervisors or references Passing score on the NCAC Level I exam A $150 fee for the oral exam and $160 for the written one For SADC certification requirements, contact the AAAC board.	The AADAA requires annual membership renewals. In addition to an application and fee, certificate holders must submit 20 hours of continuing education units. The AAACCB requires its certification-holders to renew every two years. Renewals must include 50 hours of continuing education, a $100 recertification fee, and current NAADAC membership.

Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in Alabama

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC)	Rehabilitation counselors in Alabama must fulfill the requirements to become Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). To be licensed as an ALC, candidates must: Have completed a master’s degree from a regionally accredited school of at least 60 semester-hours or 90 quarter-hours. The program must include a 100-hour practicum, 40 of those hours must be direct client contact as well as one hour of direct supervision and 1.5 hours of group supervision per week, and a 600-hour internship with 240 hours of direct client contact along with 2.5 hours of supervision a week and at least one hour of individual supervision per week. Submit three letters of recommendation, two of which must be from supervisors. Provide official school transcripts to the ABEC board. Submit a proposed plan of supervision for work experience including names of supervising counselors, goals for the supervision, and strategies to meet those goals. Complete an application for an ALC license. Pay the $200 application fee. In order to progress from an ALC to LPC, candidates must: Complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience, Of those 3,000 hours, 2,250 hours must be direct service hours and 750 of indirect service hours. All hours must be under the supervision of a supervising counselor. Pass a national counselor exam such as the NCE. Submit three recommendations, two from supervisors from the work experience. Complete and submit an application to the ABEC board. If graduate coursework beyond the master’s is completed, candidates may subtract 1,000 hours of supervised work experience for every 15 graduate semester-hours or 22.5 quarter-hours of coursework directly related to counseling. (A minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience is required, regardless of the number of credits earned.)	In Alabama, ALC or LPC licenses expire every two years. In order to renew a license, counselors must: Complete continuing education units through approved providers such as the NBCC or CRCC. ALCs must complete 10 hours, two of which must be in ethics, and LPCs must complete 40, six of which must be in ethics. ALCs must pay a $150 renewal fee and LPCs must pay $300

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in Alabama

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensure Board (ABALB)	ABA therapists in Alabama must obtain either a Licensed Behavior Analyst or Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst license. The requirements to earn a Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst license include: Submitting a completed and notarized application Completing proof of supervision form Paying $25 application fee, background check fee, and $100 licensure fee Completing a background check Holding BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) certification Submit an ABALB Proof of Supervision form signed by an AL License Behavior Analyst) Candidates for a Licensed Behavior Analyst license must: Submit a completed and notarized application Pay $25 application fee, background check fee, and $150 licensure fee Complete a background check Hold BCBA certification	Renewals for ABA therapists in Alabama are required every two years. Licenses expire during the second year on December 31st. To renew, therapists must: Submit a completed application Provide proof of current BACB certification Pay $150 renewal fee for Licensed Behavior Analysts and $100 fee for Assistants

Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in Alabama

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy (ABEMFT)	The Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy issues Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (MFT Intern), and Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFTA) licenses. MFT Intern licenses are for students who have yet to graduate or graduates who have not completed their internship or practicum. These candidates must: Submit a completed application Pay $150 application fee Be a current student of a marriage and family therapy graduate program or graduate of a marriage and family therapy graduate program Provide proof of student status or official transcripts (if already graduated) Submit a Supervision Agreement Form for the supervised clinical practicum or internship Provide two references from most recent MFT supervisors MFTAs must meet the requirements for MFT intern licenses, as well as do the following: Complete a master’s or doctorate in marriage and family therapy that included at least a 12-month internship (graduates of a COAMFTE or CACREP-MCFC accredited programs do not have to supply coursework verification) Pay $150 application fee and $200 license fee Submit a completed application Complete the Supervision Agreement Form and attach a supervisory contract LMFTs must meet all the requirements for MFTAs, as well as: Pay $150 application fee and $325 license fee Submit a completed application Complete the Professional Employment form Pass the AMFTRB Exam Complete two years of supervised work experience, including 1,000 hours of direct client contact and 200 hours of supervision, of which 100 hours must be individual supervision	All marriage and family therapist licenses issued in Alabama must be renewed every two years. Intern licenses cost $25 to renew; associate licenses cost $200; and full LMFT licenses cost $325. Continuing education hours are required for all licenses, as well. Interns must complete ten hours per renewal cycle, with three hours being in clinical workshops, three hours in diagnosis and treatment, and three hours in ethics. Current enrollment in a COAMFTE or CACREP-MCFC accredited program meets continuing education requirements for interns. Associates must complete 20 hours of continuing education, with five hours being in clinical workshops, three hours in diagnosis and treatment, and three hours in ethics. LMFTs must complete 40 hours of continuing education with ten hours being in clinical workshops, six hours in diagnosis and treatment, and six hours in ethics.

Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in Alabama

Licensing Authority	Eligibility & Details	Renewal Requirements
Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC)	Child therapists in Alabama must fulfill the requirements to become Associate Licensed Counselors (ALCs) or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). To be licensed as an ALC, candidates must: Have completed a master’s degree from a CACREP or CORE accredited school of at least 60 semester-hours or 90 quarter-hours. The program must include a 100-hour practicum, 40 of those hours must be direct client contact as well as one hour of direct supervision and 1.5 hours of group supervision per week, and a 600-hour internship with 240 hours of direct client contact along with 2.5 hours of supervision a week and at least one hour of individual supervision per week. Submit three letters of recommendation, two of which must be from supervisors. Provide official school transcripts to the ABEC board. Submit a proposed plan of supervision for work experience including names of supervising counselors, goals for the supervision, and strategies to meet those goals. Complete an application for an ALC license. Pay the $200 application fee. In order to progress from an ALC to LPC, candidates must: Complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience, Of those 3,000 hours, 2,250 hours must be direct service hours and 750 of indirect service hours. All hours must be under the supervision of a supervising counselor. Pass a national counselor exam such as the NCE. Submit three recommendations, two from supervisors from the work experience. Complete and submit an application to the ABEC board. Pay $200 application fee If graduate coursework beyond the master’s is completed, candidates may subtract 1,000 hours of supervised work experience for every 15 graduate semester-hours or 22.5 quarter-hours of coursework directly related to counseling. (A minimum of 1,000 hours of work experience is required, regardless of the number of credits earned.)	In Alabama, ALC or LPC licenses expire every two years. To renew a license, counselors must: Complete continuing education units through approved providers such as the NBCC or CRCC. ALCs must complete 10 hours, two of which must be in ethics, and LPCs must complete 40, six of which must be in ethics. Pay a $300 renewal fee

Counseling Schools & Licensure in Nearby States

• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Virginia
• West Virginia