Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Florida.

Florida licenses its master’s-level clinical professions — clinical social work, marriage & family therapy, and mental health counseling — through a single Department of Health board (the “491 Board”), using a two-tier “Registered Intern → full license” ladder. Each of those three professions takes its own national exam (ASWB Clinical, the national MFT exam, or the NCMHCE), and Florida requires a board-approved 8-hour Laws and Rules course under Chapter 491 before full licensure rather than a separate proctored laws exam. Doctoral-level psychologists are licensed separately by the Florida Board of Psychology, which DOES require a proctored Florida Laws and Rules examination in addition to the national EPPP. Addiction counseling in Florida is NOT a state clinical license — it is a tiered certification (CAC → CAP → MCAP) issued by the private, non-profit Florida Certification Board, which administers IC&RC-aligned exams. Florida does NOT issue a state license for behavior analysts (the state-run program ended in 2003 and credentialing was ceded to the national BACB), so there is no state-level BCBA tier in this ladder.

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

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
Registered MHC Intern

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Required exam: No exam is required to register; the NCMHCE may be taken before or during the internship but is not required to obtain the intern registration.

Scope: A pre-license registrant who provides mental health counseling under a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor while accruing the post-master’s supervised experience required for LMHC licensure; registration is limited to a 5-year life.
  1. EducationEarn at least a master’s degree (60 semester / 80 quarter hours) from a CACREP- or MPCAC-accredited clinical mental health counseling program, including required graduate coursework (e.g., human sexuality and substance abuse) verified on the board’s Education Worksheet.
  2. Supervision / experienceObtain a letter from a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor and register BEFORE counting hours; supervised experience does not count until the intern registration number is issued and the supervisor is approved.
  3. ExamNo exam at this tier; MHC applicants are not required to have Board approval before sitting for the NCMHCE.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern application with the $150 fee, official transcript, Qualified Supervisor letter, and complete electronic fingerprinting (HB 975).
LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Required exam: National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), administered by NBCC/CCE.

Scope: An independently licensed clinician authorized to provide mental health counseling, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, to individuals, couples, families and groups.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying CACREP/MPCAC master’s degree (60 semester / 80 quarter hours) with all required content coursework satisfied per the Education Worksheet.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 2 years of post-master’s supervised experience: at least 100 hours of supervision over no fewer than 100 weeks, 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients, and at least 1 hour of supervision every 2 weeks.
  3. ExamPass the NCMHCE (apply to CCE with the exam fee and official transcript); passing scores are forwarded to the Board in 4–6 weeks.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMHC licensure application with verified clinical experience (Verification of Clinical Experience form), proof of a board-approved 8-hour Laws and Rules (Chapter 491) course, and electronic fingerprinting.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CAC

Certified Addiction Counselor

Required exam: FCB Certified Addiction Counselor examination — a 150-item multiple-choice exam, passing score 500; certificants also automatically earn the IC&RC Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC) credential.

Scope: An intermediate-practice certification for counselors who work in collaboration with clinical staff to develop and implement client treatment plans and provide specified substance use disorder treatment services; this is an FCB certification, not a state clinical license.
  1. EducationHold at least a high school diploma or GED (no degree required at entry); higher or related degrees reduce the required work-experience hours.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 6,000 hours of supervised SUD work experience (5,000 with a related associate’s degree), with a minimum of 10 hours of supervision per performance domain (e.g., 300 supervision hours for the HS/GED pathway).
  3. ExamComplete 300 hours of CAC-approved training (including at least 6 hours of counselor ethics) and pass the FCB CAC exam.
  4. ApplicationApply online through the FCB, submit work-experience and training verification forms plus three professional letters of recommendation, and pay the certification fee.
CAP

Certified Addiction Professional

Required exam: FCB Certified Addiction Professional examination (passing score 500); CAP applicants/certificants are eligible for the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential.

Scope: A clinical-level certification for professionals who provide direct, recovery-oriented substance use clinical services (screening, assessment, individual and group counseling, case management); CAPs are a “qualified professional” under Chapter 397, F.S., and CAP is billable under Florida Medicaid.
  1. EducationHold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field; CAP uses two tiers (Tier I for counseling-related degrees, Tier II for health/human-services degrees) with differing additional requirements.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the required SUD work experience and documented on-the-job supervision per the CAP Standards and Requirements Tables for the applicable tier.
  3. ExamComplete the required CAP training (Tier I or Tier II training verification) and pass the FCB CAP exam.
  4. ApplicationApply online through the FCB with the tier-appropriate training, on-the-job supervision, and work-experience verification forms, a professional recommendation, and the certification fee.
MCAP

Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional

Required exam: FCB Master’s Level Certified Addiction Professional examination (an application route also exists for already-licensed professionals such as LMHC/LCSW/LMFT/psychologists).

Scope: The advanced-practice certification for individuals working in a Florida-licensed SUD treatment program; the MCAP meets the requirements for a master’s-level CAP who may make a substance use disorder diagnosis in programs billed under Florida’s State Medicaid Plan.
  1. EducationHold a qualifying master’s degree or higher; a separate “MCAP for Licensed Professionals” route exists for holders of a Florida clinical license.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the SUD work experience and on-the-job supervision specified in the MCAP Standards and Requirements Tables (reduced requirements apply on the licensed-professional route).
  3. ExamComplete the required MCAP training and pass the FCB MCAP exam.
  4. ApplicationApply online through the FCB with MCAP training, supervision, and work-experience verification forms and the certification fee.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
Registered CSW Intern

Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern

Required exam: No exam is required to register; the ASWB Clinical exam is taken later (eligibility begins after coursework plus 18 months of clinical experience).

Scope: A pre-license registrant who provides clinical social work services under a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor while accruing the post-master’s supervised experience required for LCSW licensure; registration is limited to a 5-year life.
  1. EducationEarn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited school, with 24 semester / 32 quarter hours of clinically oriented coursework including at least one course in psychopathology (a registrant may begin having met 15 semester / 22 quarter hours).
  2. Supervision / experienceObtain a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor and a school practicum verification letter, then register BEFORE counting hours; experience does not count until the intern number is issued and the supervisor is approved.
  3. ExamNo exam at this tier; ASWB Clinical exam eligibility begins after all graduate coursework plus 18 months of documented clinical experience.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern application with the $150 fee, official transcript, practicum letter, Qualified Supervisor letter, and electronic fingerprinting (HB 975).
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical-level examination, administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Scope: An independently licensed clinical social worker authorized to provide psychotherapy and clinical social work services, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationHold the CSWE-accredited MSW with all required clinically oriented coursework (24 semester / 32 quarter hours, including psychopathology) satisfied per the Education Worksheet.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 2 years of post-master’s supervised experience: at least 100 hours of supervision over no fewer than 100 weeks, 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients, and at least 1 hour of supervision every 2 weeks.
  3. ExamRequest exam approval, then register with ASWB and pass the Clinical-level exam ($260 fee paid directly to ASWB); scores are forwarded to the Board in 2–4 weeks.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCSW licensure application with the Verification of Clinical Experience form, proof of a board-approved 8-hour Laws and Rules (Chapter 491) course, and electronic fingerprinting.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
Registered MFT Intern

Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern

Required exam: No exam is required to register; the national MFT examination is taken later, after all education requirements are completed.

Scope: A pre-license registrant who provides marriage and family therapy under a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor while accruing the post-master’s supervised experience required for LMFT licensure; registration is limited to a 5-year life.
  1. EducationEarn a master’s degree with at least 36 semester / 48 quarter hours of graduate MFT coursework, including a supervised practicum/internship in a marriage and family setting with at least 180 direct client-contact hours of marriage and family services.
  2. Supervision / experienceObtain a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor and register BEFORE counting hours; experience does not count until the intern number is issued and the supervisor is approved.
  3. ExamNo exam at this tier; the national MFT exam is taken at the licensure stage after education is complete.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern application with the $150 fee, official transcript, Qualified Supervisor letter, and electronic fingerprinting (HB 975).
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (AMFTRB content), administered/registered through the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) and delivered via Prometric.

Scope: An independently licensed therapist authorized to provide marriage, family, and individual psychotherapy, including the assessment and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational context.
  1. EducationHold the qualifying master’s degree (36 semester / 48 quarter hours of MFT coursework) with the supervised practicum and 180 direct client-contact hours completed.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 2 years of post-master’s supervised experience: at least 100 hours of supervision over no fewer than 100 weeks, 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients, and at least 1 hour of supervision every 2 weeks.
  3. ExamRequest exam approval, register with PTC ($365 fee) using a Florida approval code, and pass the national MFT exam; scores are forwarded to the Board in about 45 days / 6 weeks.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMFT licensure application with the Verification of Clinical Experience form, proof of a board-approved 8-hour Laws and Rules (Chapter 491) course, and electronic fingerprinting.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Provisional Psychology Licensee

Provisional Psychology Licensee

Required exam: No exam at this tier — the provisional application method does not permit sitting for the EPPP; the EPPP and Florida Laws and Rules exam are taken as part of full licensure.

Scope: A registrant who has completed the qualifying doctoral education and is authorized to provide psychological services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist while completing remaining post-doctoral supervised experience toward full licensure.
  1. EducationHold a qualifying Psy.D., Ed.D. in psychology, or Ph.D. in psychology from an institutionally and programmatically accredited program (APA-accredited programs meet this criterion).
  2. Supervision / experiencePractice only under the supervision of a licensed psychologist that conforms to Board requirements; inappropriate or absent supervision may result in disciplinary action.
  3. ExamNo exam at this tier; the provisional method does not allow taking the EPPP.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Provisional Psychology Licensure application with official doctoral transcripts, supervision documentation, and required fees.
Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered by ASPPB (minimum scaled score of 500), AND the Florida psychology Laws and Rules examination.

Scope: An independently licensed doctoral-level psychologist authorized to practice the full scope of psychology, including psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationHold a qualifying Psy.D., Ed.D. in psychology, or Ph.D. in psychology from an institutionally and programmatically accredited (APA-accredited) program.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 4,000 hours of supervised experience under a licensed psychologist — the doctoral internship satisfies the first 2,000 hours and the remaining 2,000 are post-doctoral (Rule 64B19-11.005), including at least 900 hours of direct client contact.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (scaled score of 500 for exams taken October 2000 or later) and pass the Florida Laws and Rules examination; multiple application methods (Examination, Examination with Waiver, Bifurcation) govern the order.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the Application for Licensure as a Psychologist by Examination with transcripts, the post-doctoral supervision verification form, fees, and required fingerprinting.

Official Psychology resources

All licenses

Florida licensing portals & background checks.

How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one Florida 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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