Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Indiana.

Indiana licenses behavioral-health professionals through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). One umbrella board — the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board (BHHSLB) — governs mental health counseling, addiction counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work under IC 25-23.6 and the 839 IAC administrative rules. Psychology is regulated separately by the Indiana State Psychology Board (IC 25-33; 868 IAC), and behavior analysts are licensed by the Behavior Analyst Committee under IC 25-8.5 and 844 IAC 21 (online applications opened May 13, 2025). Indiana runs a state Jurisprudence (law) examination for BHHSLB professions — a 30-question true/false and multiple-choice exam requiring 75% to pass — and the Psychology Board administers its own jurisprudence exam. Most professions follow an associate (pre-independent) tier that advances to full/clinical licensure after 2 years of post-degree supervised experience.

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

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LMHCA

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

Required exam: No national clinical exam required at the associate stage; the LMHCA is the supervised pathway tier (NCMHCE is taken to advance to LMHC).

Scope: Pre-independent associate credential allowing supervised practice of mental health counseling while accumulating post-degree experience toward the LMHC.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling or a closely related field, at least 60 graduate semester hours covering required counseling content, including a supervised practicum/internship of roughly 1,000 clock hours (per 839 IAC; verify exact distribution).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo additional post-degree supervised hours required to hold the associate credential itself; the LMHCA status is the vehicle under which the LMHC’s 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience are accrued (IC 25-23.6-8.5).
  3. ExamPass the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination (30 questions, 75% to pass) on BHHSLB statutes and rules.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, submit official transcripts, pass a criminal background check, and pay the application fee.
LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Required exam: National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), administered by NBCC, PLUS the Indiana Jurisprudence exam. (Note: the NCE is explicitly NOT accepted as equivalent to the NCMHCE.)

Scope: Full, independent license to practice mental health counseling, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, without supervision.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling or a related field meeting BHHSLB content requirements (same degree basis as the LMHCA).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience over a minimum of 2 years; no more than 1,500 hours may be applied before passing the national exam (IC 25-23.6-8.5).
  3. ExamPass the NCMHCE (NBCC) and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMHC application with verified supervised-experience documentation, NCMHCE score report from NBCC, transcripts, and background check to the BHHSLB.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
LACA

Licensed Addiction Counselor Associate

Required exam: ADC (IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor) or NCAC II (NAADAC) examination; the associate stage allows sitting for the exam before completing post-degree experience.

Scope: Bachelor-level associate credential for supervised addiction counseling while accumulating experience toward the LAC.
  1. EducationBachelor’s degree in a relevant field with required addiction-counseling core coursework and a supervised clinical component of at least 350 hours of AODA counseling experience (per 839 IAC / IC 25-23.6-10.5).
  2. Supervision / experienceOperate under board-approved supervision; the associate tier is the supervised pathway under which the LAC’s 2 years (approximately 2,000 hours) of post-degree experience are accrued.
  3. ExamPass the ADC (IC&RC) or NCAC II (NAADAC) national addiction exam and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the BHHSLB (IC 25-23.6-10.5-1.5 governs associate applicants), submit transcripts, pass background check, pay fee.
LAC

Licensed Addiction Counselor

Required exam: ADC (IC&RC) or NCAC II (NAADAC) examination PLUS the Indiana Jurisprudence exam.

Scope: Full bachelor-level addiction-counseling license for independent (non-clinical-diagnostic) practice of addiction counseling.
  1. EducationBachelor’s degree in a relevant field with required addiction core coursework and the 350-hour supervised clinical component.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 2 years (approximately 2,000 hours) of post-degree supervised addiction-counseling experience under a qualified supervisor (IC 25-23.6-10.5-10).
  3. ExamPass the ADC (IC&RC) or NCAC II (NAADAC) exam and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LAC application with verified supervised-experience documentation, exam scores, transcripts, and background check to the BHHSLB.
LCACA

Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor Associate

Required exam: AADC (IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor) or MAC (NAADAC Master Addiction Counselor) examination; may be taken at the associate stage.

Scope: Master-level associate credential for supervised clinical addiction counseling (diagnosis-track) while accruing experience toward the LCAC.
  1. EducationMaster’s degree in a behavioral-science discipline with required addiction coursework and a supervised clinical component of at least 350 hours of AODA counseling experience.
  2. Supervision / experienceOperate under board-approved clinical supervision; the LCACA is the supervised pathway under which the LCAC’s 2 years of post-degree experience are accrued (IC 25-23.6-10.5-1.5).
  3. ExamPass the AADC (IC&RC) or MAC (NAADAC) clinical addiction exam and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the BHHSLB, submit transcripts, pass background check, pay fee.
LCAC

Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor

Required exam: AADC (IC&RC) or MAC (NAADAC) examination PLUS the Indiana Jurisprudence exam.

Scope: Full, independent master-level clinical addiction license; authorized to diagnose substance-use disorders and develop treatment plans independently.
  1. EducationMaster’s degree in a behavioral-science discipline meeting BHHSLB requirements with the 350-hour supervised clinical component.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 2 years of post-degree supervised clinical addiction-counseling experience under a qualified supervisor (IC 25-23.6-10.5-10).
  3. ExamPass the AADC (IC&RC) or MAC (NAADAC) exam and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCAC application with verified supervised-experience documentation, exam scores, transcripts, and background check to the BHHSLB.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LBSW

Licensed Bachelor Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors-level examination.

Scope: Bachelor-level social work license for generalist (non-clinical) social work practice.
  1. EducationBachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised experience required for initial LBSW licensure (effective July 1, 2025, final-semester BSW students may apply and sit for the exam before graduation).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors-level examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the BHHSLB, submit sealed transcripts, pass a criminal background check, and pay the application fee.
LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters-level examination (NOT the Bachelors exam).

Scope: Master-level social work license for generalist (non-clinical) practice; Indiana licenses LSW at the master’s level using the ASWB Masters exam.
  1. EducationMaster of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised experience required for initial LSW licensure.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters-level examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the BHHSLB, submit sealed transcripts, pass a criminal background check, and pay the application fee.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical-level examination.

Scope: Full, independent clinical social work license, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in social work (MSW/DSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 2 years / 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical practice over no less than 24 months, with at least 4 hours of face-to-face supervision per month provided by an LCSW (IC 25-23.6-5).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical-level examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCSW application with verified supervised-experience documentation, transcripts, and criminal background check to the BHHSLB.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
LMFTA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Required exam: AMFTRB national Marriage and Family Therapy examination, PLUS the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.

Scope: Pre-independent associate credential allowing supervised practice of marriage and family therapy while accumulating post-degree experience toward the LMFT.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field with equivalent coursework, including a supervised practicum of at least 300 face-to-face client-contact hours (at least 100 relational), supervised by an LMFT with 5+ years of experience (IC 25-23.6-8).
  2. Supervision / experienceThe associate credential is the vehicle under which the LMFT’s post-degree supervised experience is accrued; operate under board-approved supervision.
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB national examination and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the BHHSLB (IC 25-23.6-8-8.5 governs the associate), submit transcripts, AMFTRB score report, and background check, and pay the fee.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: AMFTRB national examination PLUS the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.

Scope: Full, independent license to practice marriage and family therapy, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or related field meeting BHHSLB content requirements (same degree basis as the LMFTA).
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 2 years of post-degree clinical experience (50%+ of clients receiving MFT services), including 1,000 hours of direct client contact (at least half relational) and 200 hours of supervision (100 individual) (IC 25-23.6-8).
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB national examination and the Indiana Jurisprudence (law) examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMFT application with verified supervised-experience documentation, AMFTRB score report, transcripts, and background check to the BHHSLB.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
LP

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology), passing score 500/800, PLUS the Indiana psychology Jurisprudence examination. (Indiana had NOT adopted the EPPP Part 2 / Skills exam as of mid-2025; the Board signaled plans to adopt Part 1 and Part 2 — verify current status before relying on this.)

Scope: Doctoral-level license to practice psychology in Indiana. Note: independent health-service (clinical) practice generally requires the HSPP endorsement below.
  1. EducationDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in psychology from an APA-accredited or ASPPB/National Register-designated program, including a predoctoral internship (1,500+ hours) (868 IAC; IC 25-33).
  2. Supervision / experiencePredoctoral internship of at least 1,500 hours; postdoctoral supervised experience is required for the HSPP endorsement (see below).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (500/800) and the Indiana psychology Jurisprudence examination, typically after application approval.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Indiana State Psychology Board, submit doctoral transcripts and supervision documentation, pass a background check, and pay the fee.
HSPP

Health Service Provider in Psychology (endorsement)

Required exam: Same EPPP and Indiana psychology Jurisprudence exam as the base license; the HSPP endorsement is distinguished by additional supervised health-service experience rather than a separate national exam.

Scope: Endorsement added to the psychologist license authorizing independent delivery of health/clinical psychological services (assessment, diagnosis, and treatment).
  1. EducationDoctoral degree from an APA-accredited or designated program with the required health-service-psychology training and predoctoral internship (1,500 hours).
  2. Supervision / experience1,600 hours of postdoctoral supervised health-service experience completed in no less than 12 months, including a minimum of 900 hours of direct patient care; at least half of supervision provided by an HSPP-endorsed psychologist (868 IAC 1.1-13).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (500/800) and the Indiana psychology Jurisprudence examination.
  4. ApplicationApply for the HSPP endorsement with the Indiana State Psychology Board, submitting verified postdoctoral supervised-experience documentation.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
LABA

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: No separate Indiana state exam; licensure is predicated on holding the BACB’s BCaBA certification (which requires passing the BACB BCaBA examination).

Scope: State license to practice behavior analysis under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst; predicated on national certification as a BCaBA.
  1. EducationMeet BACB requirements for Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) — qualifying coursework/degree per BACB standards.
  2. Supervision / experienceMeet BACB BCaBA supervised-fieldwork requirements; in Indiana, maintain a signed supervision contract with a Licensed Behavior Analyst approved by the BACB (844 IAC 21-4-6).
  3. ExamHold current BCaBA certification in good standing with the BACB (the BACB exam satisfies the examination requirement; no additional state exam).
  4. ApplicationApply to the Behavior Analyst Committee (online applications opened May 13, 2025), verify BACB certification, pass a criminal background check, complete disciplinary disclosures, and pay the application fee (approximately $75).
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: No separate Indiana state exam; licensure is predicated on holding the BACB’s BCBA certification (which requires passing the BACB BCBA examination).

Scope: State license to practice behavior analysis independently; predicated on national certification as a BCBA.
  1. EducationMeet BACB requirements for Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) — a qualifying master’s degree and BACB-verified coursework (844 IAC 21; IC 25-8.5).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete BACB-required supervised fieldwork (approximately 1,500–2,000 hours) for BCBA certification.
  3. ExamHold current BCBA certification in good standing with the BACB (the BACB exam satisfies the examination requirement; no additional state exam).
  4. ApplicationApply to the Behavior Analyst Committee, verify BACB certification, pass a criminal background check, complete disciplinary disclosures, and pay the application fee (approximately $100).

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Indiana licensing portals & background checks.

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