Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Delaware.

Delaware concentrates most behavioral-health licensure under the Division of Professional Regulation, with a notably consolidated structure: a single Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals regulates professional counselors, chemical dependency professionals, and marriage & family therapists (each with an associate tier), while social work and psychology have their own boards. A distinctive feature is the “license by certification” model — Delaware uses national/private certifications (NBCC, NAADAC, the Delaware Certification Board) as a prerequisite or pathway into the state license. All applications run through the DELPROS portal with a State + FBI background check. Delaware does NOT license behavior analysts at the state level (national BACB certification only), so that profession is omitted here.

Want the one-line summary instead? See the Delaware licensure overview →
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Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychology

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LACMH

Licensed Associate Counselor of Mental Health

Required exam: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), NBCC.

Scope: Pre-independent counseling credential allowing practice while accruing post-master’s supervised hours toward the LPCMH, under an approved clinical supervisor.
  1. EducationOfficial transcript showing at least 60 graduate credits in clinical mental health counseling (an Evaluation of Coursework form is required for non-CACREP / non-CMHC degrees).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo completed hours required to obtain the LACMH; file a Planned Direct Supervision form. The LACMH is the vehicle for completing the LPCMH experience requirement.
  3. ExamPass the NCE or NCMHCE; have scores sent from NBCC to the Board.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with State + FBI background check and any out-of-state license verifications.
LPCMH

Licensed Professional Counselor of Mental Health

Required exam: National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), NBCC.

Scope: Independent practice of professional mental health counseling — assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, without required supervision.
  1. EducationOfficial transcript showing at least 60 graduate credits in clinical mental health counseling (Evaluation of Coursework form for non-CACREP programs).
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,200 hours of post-master’s counseling experience, of which at least 1,600 hours are under direct supervision (including at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision), spanning no fewer than 2 and no more than 4 years.
  3. ExamPass the NCE or NCMHCE; scores sent from NBCC directly to the Board.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with Direct Supervision Reference form(s), Counseling Experience Verification form(s), transcript, State + FBI background check, and out-of-state verifications.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
LCDP

Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional (state license)

Required exam: No separate state exam; satisfied via a Board-accepted certification — the DCB CADC or NAADAC NCAC/MAC.

Scope: State-licensed independent practice of chemical dependency / substance use disorder counseling. The Delaware Certification Board’s CADC (a private IC&RC-affiliated certification) is the gateway credential into this state license.
  1. EducationOfficial transcript showing a master’s degree plus 30 graduate semester hours in counseling or a closely related subject.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,200 hours of post-master’s substance-abuse counseling experience, of which at least 1,600 hours are supervised, including at least 100 hours of face-to-face consultation with the supervisor (24 Del. C. §3044).
  3. ExamNone at the state level; submit certification verification (DCB and/or NAADAC) sent directly to the Board.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with transcript, Counseling Experience Verification form, Supervision Reference form(s), certification form(s), and State + FBI background check.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LBSW

Licensed Bachelor Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors examination.

Scope: Generalist (non-clinical) social work practice at the baccalaureate level.
  1. EducationBaccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (transcript sent directly to the Board).
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required for the LBSW.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors examination.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with State + FBI background check, Child Protection Registry consent, and transcript.
LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters examination.

Scope: Master’s-level (non-clinical/generalist) social work practice; upgradeable to LCSW after clinical supervised hours.
  1. EducationMSW from a CSWE-accredited program (transcript sent directly to the Board).
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required for the LMSW itself.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters examination.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with State + FBI background check, Child Protection Registry consent, and transcript.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical examination.

Scope: Independent clinical social work — diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders; psychotherapy.
  1. EducationMSW from a CSWE-accredited program (transcript sent directly to the Board).
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 1,600 hours of clinical experience under professional supervision acceptable to the Board (supervisor must be an LCSW, LMSW, licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical examination; score verification sent directly from ASWB.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with Supervisory Reference Form, ASWB clinical score verification, transcript, and State + FBI background check.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
Marriage & Family Associate

Marriage and Family Associate (Associate MFT)

Required exam: AMFTRB National MFT Examination (generally taken on the path to full licensure).

Scope: Pre-independent MFT credential allowing practice under approved supervision while accruing post-master’s hours toward the LMFT.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or an allied field with a COAMFTE Course Comparison Form).
  2. Supervision / experienceFile planned-supervision documentation; the associate tier is the vehicle for completing the LMFT’s 3,200-hour requirement under an approved supervisor.
  3. ExamAMFTRB exam (may be completed during the associate phase).
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with State + FBI background check and supporting documentation.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: AMFTRB National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination.

Scope: Independent practice of marriage and family therapy — assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within relationships and family systems.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in MFT (or a related discipline with a COAMFTE Course Comparison Form).
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,200 hours of post-master’s MFT experience over at least 2 and no more than 4 years, of which at least 1,600 hours are under approved direct supervision (including 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision).
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB examination (score transfer via the interstate service).
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS with MFT Experience Verification, Verification of Supervision, AMFTRB score transfer, and State + FBI background check.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Psychological Assistant

Psychological Assistant (registration — not an independent license)

Required exam: None required for the registration itself.

Scope: A registration permitting an individual to provide psychological services only under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed psychologist; often the vehicle for accruing supervised hours.
  1. EducationA relevant graduate degree per Board rules; the supervising psychologist sponsors the registration.
  2. Supervision / experiencePractice occurs entirely under a licensed psychologist’s supervision.
  3. ExamNone for the registration.
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS for the Psychological Assistant Registration with a sponsoring licensed psychologist.
Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Scope: Independent practice of psychology — psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Delaware licenses psychologists at the doctoral level only.
  1. EducationDoctoral degree from an APA- or PCSAS-accredited psychology program (or, if neither, course descriptions plus an Evaluation of Coursework form demonstrating compliance). Transcript sent directly to the Board.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 1,500 hours of post-doctoral supervised experience completed in not less than 1 and not more than 3 calendar years.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (within the past 5 years; waived for ABPP Diplomates).
  4. ApplicationApply in DELPROS (Licensure by Examination) with transcript, Supervisory Reference Form, EPPP score report, and State + FBI background check.

Official Psychology resources

All licenses

Delaware licensing portals & background checks.

How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one Delaware license, plus its scope of practice. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the official board before you apply. Verified against the official state boards in June 2026.

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