Resources · Path to Licensure

Behavioral & mental health licensure in District of Columbia.

The required exam, supervised hours, jurisprudence rules, and official board for six District of Columbia behavioral and mental health licenses — professional counseling, clinical social work, psychology, marriage & family therapy, behavior analysis, and addictions counseling.

Open the profession + state finder →

Professional counseling licensure in District of Columbia

License: LPC · Exam: NCE or NCMHCE

  • Supervised experience3,500 hours (incl. 1,800 direct)
  • Timeframeno less than 2 and no more than 5 years
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current District of Columbia rules with the board before you apply.

Clinical social work licensure in District of Columbia

License: LICSW · Exam: ASWB Clinical

  • Supervised experience3,000 hours (incl. 100 direct supervision)
  • Timeframeover 2 to 4 years
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current District of Columbia rules with the board before you apply.

Psychology licensure in District of Columbia

License: Licensed Psychologist · Exam: EPPP Part 1 & 2

  • Supervised experience4,000 hours within 3 years (≥2,000 postdoctoral)
  • Timeframewithin 3 years
  • State law / jurisprudence examYes — DC Jurisprudence Exam

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current District of Columbia rules with the board before you apply.

Marriage & family therapy licensure in District of Columbia

License: LMFT · Exam: AMFTRB National MFT Exam

  • Supervised experience1,500 face-to-face post-graduate clinical hours; 300 supervision (150 individual)
  • TimeframeAt least 2 years
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current District of Columbia rules with the board before you apply.

Behavior analysis licensure in District of Columbia

License: Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) — enacted 2024 · Exam: BCBA exam (BACB)

  • Supervised experienceBACB standard: 2,000 fieldwork hours (or 1,500 concentrated)
  • TimeframeSet by BACB fieldwork standards
  • State law / jurisprudence examNo

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current District of Columbia rules with the board before you apply.

Addictions counseling licensure in District of Columbia

License: CAC II (Certified Addiction Counselor II) · Exam: NAADAC NCAC II exam

  • Supervised experience180 hours across the 12 core functions (≥10 hrs each)
  • Timeframeverify with board
  • State law / jurisprudence examYes — DC Jurisprudence Exam

Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current District of Columbia rules with the board before you apply.

District of Columbia at a glance: Professional counseling uses the NCE or NCMHCE; clinical social work uses the ASWB Clinical; psychology uses the EPPP Part 1 & 2. Always confirm current rules with each board before you apply.

A note on accuracy: Licensure requirements — degree, supervised hours, jurisprudence exams, and application steps — are set by each state board and change over time. This guide shows the general national path and the exam Triad prepares you for. Always confirm the exact, current requirements with your state’s official licensing board before you apply.

Pass the exam on your path.

Triad’s AATBS brand prepares candidates for the EPPP, ASWB, NCE/NCMHCE, MFT, BCBA, and addictions exams — backed by a pass guarantee.

Find your exam prep →