Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Georgia.

Georgia regulates its mental and behavioral health professions through three separate bodies. The Georgia Composite Board licenses counselors, social workers, and marriage & family therapists, each on a two-tier ladder: an associate license (APC, LMSW, AMFT) followed by an independent license (LPC, LCSW, LMFT). Psychology is a single doctoral-level Licensed Psychologist credential issued by the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and Georgia newly licenses behavior analysts (LBA) through the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board (mandatory under HB 412, with enforcement phased in 2025). Addictions counseling is NOT a state license in Georgia — the state delegates credentialing to the IC&RC-affiliated Alcohol & Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA), whose CADC and CAADC credentials carry a statutory scope of practice under O.C.G.A. § 43-10A. Georgia requires a state Jurisprudence (Laws & Rules) examination AND an oral examination for PSYCHOLOGY only; counseling, social work, and MFT do NOT require a separate state jurisprudence exam.

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Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychologyBehavior Analysis

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
APC

Associate Professional Counselor (Licensed Associate Professional Counselor)

Required exam: NCE (National Counselor Examination) OR NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination), administered by NBCC — the qualifying exam is passed at the APC tier; either is accepted

Scope: Entry-tier associate license that authorizes the practice of professional counseling only under board-approved direction and supervision while the holder accrues post-master’s directed experience toward the LPC. APC status is limited to a maximum of five years.
  1. EducationA master’s (or higher) degree in a program primarily counseling in content, or in applied psychology, that includes a supervised practicum or internship of at least 300 hours — rising to 600 practicum/internship hours for degrees completed after September 30, 2018 (programs must be CACREP/CORE/CHEA-accredited under the post-2018 standard); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 135-5-.01.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised experience is required to obtain the APC; it is the supervised-practice entry tier and the holder practices under a board-approved Directed Experience plan.
  3. ExamPass the NBCC National Counselor Examination (NCE) OR the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) — the competency exam prescribed by the Board (135-3-.03 / 135-5-.01); Georgia does NOT require a separate state jurisprudence exam for counseling.
  4. ApplicationApply through the Board’s GOALS online licensing portal with official transcripts and proof of passing the NCE/NCMHCE; the Board no longer accepts paper applications. Application fee is approximately $100.
LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: NCE OR NCMHCE (NBCC) — ordinarily already passed at the APC tier; no separate state jurisprudence exam

Scope: Independent-practice counseling license authorizing the autonomous practice of professional counseling, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationSame master’s-or-higher counseling/applied-psychology degree as the APC, including the 300-hour (600-hour after 9/30/2018) supervised practicum or internship; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 135-5-.02.
  2. Supervision / experienceEither four (4) years of post-master’s Directed Experience under supervision, OR three (3) years of Directed Experience plus a graduate practicum/internship of at least 300 hours (600 after 9/30/2018). One ‘year’ of Directed Experience = 1,000 hours over ≥12 months (600 hours pre-9/30/2018); one ‘year’ of supervision = 35 hours (30 hours pre-9/30/2018). At least two of the supervision years must be provided by a licensed Professional Counselor (135-5-.02).
  3. ExamPass the NBCC NCE or NCMHCE (typically completed while an APC). No separate Georgia state law/jurisprudence examination is required for the LPC.
  4. ApplicationApply via the GOALS online portal with transcripts, Directed Experience and supervision verification forms documenting the 3- or 4-year requirement, and official exam score verification from NBCC.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CADC-T

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor – Trainee

Required exam: No examination is required for the CADC-T (it is a trainee endorsement)

Scope: Endorsement-only, non-reciprocal entry credential (NOT a state license) granting NO independent legal scope; the holder may practice only in a licensed agency or state-sponsored program under the ongoing clinical supervision of an ADACBGA-approved supervisor while building toward CADC-I/II/CAADC.
  1. EducationHigh school diploma or GED, plus 50 contact hours of A&D / 12 Core Functions education (including 6 hours of professional ethics).
  2. Supervision / experience30 hours of clinical supervision (25% one-on-one), with no less than 2 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions of the A&D Counselor; no work-experience hour total is required at the trainee stage.
  3. ExamNone required for the trainee credential.
  4. ApplicationApply through ADACBGA’s Certemy system; $150 application fee. Renews annually ($75) and must convert to CADC-I/II or CAADC within three years.
CADC-I

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Level I

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination

Scope: Reciprocal IC&RC credential (NOT a state license) with a dependent scope of practice — addiction counseling only, under ongoing clinical supervision — carrying a statutory Alcohol & Drug Counselor scope under O.C.G.A. § 43-10A.
  1. EducationHigh school diploma or GED, plus 300 contact hours of A&D / ADC-domain education (including 6 hours ethics, 6 hours trauma-informed care, 6 hours telehealth/e-counseling, and 6 hours HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C).
  2. Supervision / experience6,000 clock hours (3 years full-time) of direct work experience with at least 20 hours of one-on-one job supervision, PLUS 300 hours of clinical supervision (25% one-on-one) with no less than 15 hours in each of the four ADC performance domains.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply via ADACBGA’s Certemy system; $150 application + $180 exam fee (application fee waived if holding an active CADC-T). Biennial renewal: $150 + 40 CE hours.
CADC-II

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor, Level II

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination

Scope: Reciprocal IC&RC credential with an INDEPENDENT scope of practice restricted to addiction counseling (no diagnostic authority beyond rendering a diagnostic impression for substance use disorders); statutory scope under O.C.G.A. § 43-10A.
  1. EducationA bachelor’s degree in a human-service field (or a graduate degree in any field) from a regionally accredited institution, plus 300 contact hours of ADC-domain education (6 hours each ethics, trauma-informed care, telehealth, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C).
  2. Supervision / experience4,000 clock hours (2 years full-time) of direct work experience with at least 20 hours of one-on-one job supervision, PLUS 200 hours of clinical supervision (25% one-on-one) with not less than 10 hours in each of the four ADC performance domains.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply via ADACBGA Certemy; $150 application + $180 exam fee. Biennial renewal: $150 + 40 CE hours.
CAADC

Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor

Required exam: IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Examination

Scope: Master’s-level reciprocal IC&RC credential with an INDEPENDENT scope covering addiction and the intersection of related co-occurring mental, emotional, and cognitive disorders; reciprocates as a graduate-level credential to many other states.
  1. EducationA licensure-eligible master’s or doctoral degree in a behavioral-health field (program must include a clinical component — psychopathology coursework plus supervised internship/practicum) from a regionally accredited institution, PLUS 180 contact hours of A&D / 12 Core Functions education (6 hours each ethics, trauma-informed care, telehealth, HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C).
  2. Supervision / experience4,000 clock hours (2 years full-time) of direct work experience with at least 20 hours of one-on-one job supervision, PLUS 200 hours of clinical supervision (25% one-on-one) with not less than 10 hours in each of the four ADC domains.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Advanced AADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply via ADACBGA Certemy; $150 application + $180 exam fee. Biennial renewal: $150 + 40 CE hours.
CCS

Certified Clinical Supervisor

Required exam: IC&RC Clinical Supervisor (CS) Examination

Scope: Advanced reciprocal IC&RC supervisory credential for experienced A&D professionals who clinically supervise other addiction counselors; not a counseling-practice license but the recognized clinical-supervision qualification within the Georgia addictions ladder.
  1. EducationHolds a qualifying ADACBGA A&D counselor credential and completes the clinical-supervision education and training required under the ADACBGA CCS standard (see the CCS requirements sheet).
  2. Supervision / experienceDocumented years of A&D clinical experience including clinical-supervision experience, with supervised practical experience per the ADACBGA CCS requirements.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Clinical Supervisor (CS) examination.
  4. ApplicationApply via ADACBGA Certemy under the current CCS requirements; biennial renewal.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Master’s Examination (Georgia’s ‘master’s social work licensing examination’)

Scope: Master’s-level social work license; the entry tier of the Georgia social work ladder, authorizing non-clinical (and supervised clinical) master’s social work practice.
  1. EducationA Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 135-5-.03.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree experience-hour total is required for the LMSW; an applicant may practice for up to one year after graduation only under direction and supervision while preparing for the exam.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Master’s examination — applicants must apply to sit within one year of graduating and may take it up to three times. No separate Georgia jurisprudence exam is required.
  4. ApplicationApply through the Composite Board’s GOALS online portal with official transcripts and ASWB score verification; $100 application fee.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical Examination (Georgia’s ‘clinical social work licensing examination’)

Scope: Independent-practice clinical social work license authorizing autonomous clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy.
  1. EducationA Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 135-5-.04.
  2. Supervision / experienceA minimum of 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical social work experience acquired over no less than 36 and no more than 108 months; the FIRST 2,000 hours must be under supervision and direction. Includes 120 hours of supervision — no more than 50% group, and at least 50% provided by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is a duly qualified supervisor (135-5-.04).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical examination (may be taken up to three times). No separate Georgia jurisprudence exam is required.
  4. ApplicationApply via the GOALS online portal with transcripts, verification of the 3,000-hour supervised clinical experience and 120 supervision hours, and ASWB Clinical score verification.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
AMFT

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (Licensed Associate MFT)

Required exam: Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (the AMFTRB National MFT Examination) — passing is required for the associate license itself

Scope: Entry-tier associate license authorizing supervised marriage and family therapy practice while accruing post-master’s experience toward the LMFT. In Georgia the national MFT examination is taken and passed at THIS associate tier.
  1. EducationA master’s degree from a marriage-and-family-therapy program (or equivalent program, or any COAMFTE-accredited program) at a CHEA-accredited institution, including a one-year practicum with a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience and 100 hours of supervision; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 135-5-.05.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo additional post-degree experience is required to obtain the associate license beyond the graduate practicum (500 direct-clinical / 100 supervision hours).
  3. ExamRegister for and pass the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (AMFTRB National MFT Exam) — passing the exam is a requirement for the associate license (135-5-.05(2)(d)). No separate Georgia jurisprudence exam is required.
  4. ApplicationApply through the Composite Board’s GOALS online portal with transcripts and course documentation, and arrange for official MFT exam score verification.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Required exam: Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (AMFTRB National MFT Exam) — WAIVED for applicants who already passed it as a Georgia AMFT; required for direct master’s applicants who never held the AMFT

Scope: Independent-practice license authorizing the autonomous diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational/family-systems framework.
  1. EducationA master’s (or doctoral) degree from an MFT or COAMFTE-accredited program at a CHEA institution; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 135-5-.06. Full-time is defined as ≥20 hours/week of direct clinical experience.
  2. Supervision / experienceVia the AMFT route: 2 years post-master’s experience with at least 2,000 hours of direct clinical experience and 100 hours of supervision. Direct master’s applicants (no prior AMFT): 3 years post-master’s experience with at least 2,500 hours of direct clinical experience (at least 2,000 hours in MFT practice) and 200 hours of supervision. Doctoral applicants: 2 years with at least 1,500 hours direct clinical experience and 100 supervision hours (135-5-.06).
  3. ExamApplicants who already hold a Georgia AMFT have the exam WAIVED (they passed it as an associate); direct master’s/doctoral applicants must register for and pass the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy. No separate Georgia jurisprudence exam is required.
  4. ApplicationApply via the GOALS online portal with transcripts, supervisor verification of post-master’s experience and supervision hours, and (where applicable) MFT exam score verification.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) PLUS the Georgia Jurisprudence (Laws & Rules) Examination PLUS an Oral Examination before the Board

Scope: Doctoral-level independent-practice license authorizing the full scope of psychological services, including assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy.
  1. EducationA doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the APA at the time the degree was conferred (limited exceptions for international and I/O applicants); the program must include an internship. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 510-2.
  2. Supervision / experience1,500 hours of postdoctoral supervised work experience (PDSWE) acceptable to the Board, in addition to the doctoral internship; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 510-2-.05.
  3. ExamPass THREE examinations: (1) the national EPPP, taken/passed first; (2) the Georgia Psychology Jurisprudence Examination — a timed, closed-book, computer-based multiple-choice exam on Georgia’s psychology law, rules, and general provisions ($85); and (3) an Oral Examination before the Board based on a recent work sample.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (GOALS / ASPPB PLUS process) with official transcripts, internship and PDSWE verification, and EPPP score transfer from ASPPB; the Oral Exam may be scheduled within the final two months of the PDSWE.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) Certification Examination of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) — no additional Georgia state exam is required

Scope: Georgia state license (mandatory under HB 412 / O.C.G.A. Chapter 43-7A; the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board, now operational, phased in enforcement through 2025) authorizing the independent practice of applied behavior analysis.
  1. EducationA BACB-approved graduate education in behavior analysis as required for BCBA certification (documented by transcripts), or evidence of current/active BCBA certification; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Department 75.
  2. Supervision / experienceThe supervised fieldwork is satisfied through the BACB’s BCBA-certification requirements; Georgia licenses by certification, recognizing active BCBA certification in lieu of separately documenting education, fieldwork, and exam.
  3. ExamPass the BACB’s BCBA Certification Examination (or hold current/active BCBA certification). No separate Georgia state behavior-analyst exam is required.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board (via the GA SOS GOALS online portal) with evidence of active BACB BCBA certification; all practicing behavior analysts were required to file a complete application by September 30, 2025 (assistant behavior analysts by March 31, 2026). Renewal fees are waived through August 2027 as an implementation grace period.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Georgia licensing portals & background checks.

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