Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Kansas.

Kansas is unusual in regulating every behavioral-health profession — professional counseling, social work, marriage & family therapy, addiction counseling, master’s-level psychology, AND doctoral psychology — under one agency, the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB). Kansas is distinctive for its master’s-level psychology ladder: the Licensed Master’s Level Psychologist (LMLP) and the independent Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist (LCP), both of which sit alongside the doctoral Licensed Psychologist (LP) and all use the EPPP at different cut scores. Addiction counseling is a true multi-tier LICENSE ladder — Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Master’s Addiction Counselor (LMAC), and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC) — not certification. Kansas also STATE-LICENSES behavior analysts (LBA/LaBA) through the BSRB, gated on BACB certification.

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

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: National Counselor Examination (NCE), administered by NBCC

Scope: Entry-level/registered counseling practice under an approved clinical training plan; cannot independently diagnose and treat mental disorders.
  1. EducationMaster’s degree in counseling including at least 60 graduate semester hours distributed across the 9 core areas of professional counseling, plus a supervised practicum. Must be at least 21 years of age.
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required at the LPC level for licensure; an LPC then practices under an approved clinical training plan while accruing hours toward the LCPC.
  3. ExamPass the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Application must be on file with the BSRB at least six weeks before testing.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LPC Application Packet to the BSRB with transcripts and fees ($50 application, $275 exam, $150 original license).
LCPC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

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

Scope: Independent clinical practice, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
  1. EducationHold an LPC (or meet the same qualifications) plus graduate coursework in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and an LCPC-qualifying practicum.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience under a BSRB pre-approved clinical training plan (training plan must be approved in writing before hours accrue).
  3. ExamPass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Application must be on file with the BSRB at least six weeks before testing.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCPC Application Packet with verification of completed supervised hours and fees ($125 renewal at the LCPC level).

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
LAC

Licensed Addiction Counselor

Required exam: NAADAC National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (NCAC II); a previously passed IC&RC ADC exam score may be transferred in lieu of the NCAC II

Scope: Entry-level addiction counseling practice; practices within a licensed/certified alcohol and other drug abuse program.
  1. EducationAt least a baccalaureate degree in addiction counseling or a related field, plus (as part of or in addition to the degree) 36 semester hours of addiction-specific coursework per K.A.R. 102-7-3.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised hours required for the LAC; entry-level licensure.
  3. ExamPass the NAADAC NCAC II exam (offered four times a year in one-week windows). Application must be on file at least 8 weeks before the desired testing date.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the addiction counselor licensure application to the BSRB with official transcripts and fees.
LMAC

Licensed Master’s Addiction Counselor

Required exam: Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) examination, administered by NAADAC

Scope: Master’s-level addiction counseling practice; broader than the LAC but still works under direction at the clinical level. (Confirmed as a licensed tier in K.S.A. 65-6610/65-6611.)
  1. EducationA master’s degree approved by the Board, in addiction counseling or a related field, with the required addiction-specific coursework.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised clinical hours required for the LMAC itself (those are required for the clinical LCAC level); LMAC practices under direction within an approved setting.
  3. ExamPass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam. Application must be on file at least 8 weeks before the desired testing date.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the master’s addiction counselor licensure application to the BSRB with transcripts and fees.
LCAC

Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor

Required exam: Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) examination, administered by NAADAC

Scope: Independent clinical addiction counseling, including substance-use disorder diagnosis and treatment; may supervise other addiction counselors.
  1. EducationHold a Licensed Addiction Counselor credential AND a Board-approved master’s degree before submitting a clinical supervision training plan.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of clinical addiction counseling experience over a minimum of 24 months under a BSRB pre-approved training plan, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact and at least 100 hours of supervision (at least 50 individual).
  3. ExamPass the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) exam. All requirements except the exam must be completed before submitting the application.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the clinical addiction counselor (LCAC) application with verification of supervised hours and fees.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LBSW

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors examination

Scope: Generalist (non-clinical) social work practice at the bachelor’s level.
  1. EducationBaccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or a program meeting K.A.R. requirements).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised hours required for the LBSW.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors-level examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the social work licensure application to the BSRB with transcripts and fees; 6 hours of Social Work Safety Training required at first renewal.
LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters examination

Scope: Master’s-level social work practice; clinical work permitted only under supervision until clinical licensure is obtained.
  1. EducationMaster’s degree from a CSWE-accredited graduate social work program (or a program meeting K.A.R. requirements).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised hours required for the LMSW itself; clinical hours are accrued toward the LSCSW.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters-level examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMSW licensure application to the BSRB with transcripts and fees.
LSCSW

Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical examination

Scope: Independent clinical social work, including diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
  1. EducationCSWE-accredited master’s (or doctoral) degree in social work with the clinical concentration/coursework required for clinical licensure.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work experience in a clinical setting, completed over at least 24 months, under a BSRB-approved supervisor with supervisor attestation.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical-level examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LSCSW licensure application with verification of supervised hours and fees.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (AMFTRB), administered via Prometric

Scope: Entry-level marriage and family therapy practice under an approved clinical training plan; not independent clinical diagnosis/treatment.
  1. EducationMaster’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy, or a related field with equivalent MFT coursework and a supervised practicum.
  2. Supervision / experienceNone required at the LMFT level for licensure; the LMFT then accrues clinical hours under an approved training plan toward the LCMFT.
  3. ExamPass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (AMFTRB). Application must be on file at least twelve weeks before taking the national exam.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMFT application to the BSRB with transcripts and fees.
LCMFT

Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (AMFTRB), administered via Prometric

Scope: Independent clinical marriage and family therapy, including diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
  1. EducationHold an LMFT (or meet the same qualifications) with the graduate coursework required for clinical practice.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised professional experience in MFT over a minimum of 24 months, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact, under a BSRB pre-approved clinical training plan.
  3. ExamPass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (AMFTRB) at the clinical level (if not already passed for the LMFT).
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCMFT application with verification of supervised hours and fees.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
LMLP

Licensed Master’s Level Psychologist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), administered by PES/Pearson VUE; passing scaled score of 400

Scope: Master’s-level psychology practice under supervision/direction; not independent clinical diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders (that requires the LCP).
  1. EducationMaster’s degree in psychology (or passed comprehensive exams in a doctoral psychology program); 60 graduate semester credit hours if graduated on/after July 1, 2003 (36 hours if before), distributed across required coursework areas per K.A.R. 102-4-3a.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised hours required for the LMLP itself; an LMLP works under supervision and accrues clinical hours toward the LCP.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP with a scaled score of at least 400. Submit a complete application at least 8 weeks before registering for the exam.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMLP licensure application (including the Academic Background form, required even for APA-accredited programs) with transcripts and fees.
LCP

Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP); passing scaled score of 500

Scope: Independent clinical practice at the master’s level, including diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
  1. EducationHold LMLP licensure (or equivalent) with a master’s degree in psychology.
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised work experience over a minimum of 24 months, including 1,500 hours of direct client contact (psychotherapy and assessment) and 100 hours of supervision (at least 50 individual), under a BSRB pre-approved training plan.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP with a scaled score of at least 500. All requirements except the exam must be completed before applying.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCP licensure application with verification of supervised hours and fees.
LP

Licensed Psychologist (Doctoral)

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP); passing scaled score of 500. Kansas does NOT currently require a jurisprudence exam.

Scope: Independent doctoral-level psychology practice, the full scope of psychological practice including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
  1. EducationDoctoral degree in a program of studies primarily psychological in content, APA-accredited (or meeting the requirements of K.A.R. 102-1-12).
  2. Supervision / experienceTwo years of supervised experience — one year predoctoral internship and one year of postdoctoral supervised experience.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP with a scaled score of at least 500. Submit a complete application at least 8 weeks before registering for the exam. No Kansas jurisprudence exam is required at this time.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LP licensure application to the BSRB with transcripts, internship/postdoctoral verification, and fees.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BCBA examination (BACB) — Kansas requires no additional state exam beyond BACB certification.

Scope: Independent practice of applied behavior analysis; may supervise Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts.
  1. EducationMaster’s degree with a BACB-approved course sequence (the educational standard is whatever the BACB currently requires for BCBA certification).
  2. Supervision / experienceSupervised fieldwork as required for BACB/BCBA certification; Kansas imposes no additional postgraduate experience beyond BACB requirements.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCBA examination; the BSRB cannot license until the applicant provides proof of current BACB certification.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LBA application to the BSRB with proof of BACB certification and fees ($70 application; $120 biennial renewal).
LaBA

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BCaBA examination (BACB) — no additional Kansas state exam beyond BACB certification.

Scope: Practice of applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA).
  1. EducationBachelor’s degree with a BACB-approved course sequence (the standard required for BCaBA certification).
  2. Supervision / experienceSupervised fieldwork as required for BACB/BCaBA certification; works under a Licensed Behavior Analyst once licensed.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCaBA examination; the BSRB cannot license until the applicant provides proof of current BACB certification.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LaBA application to the BSRB with proof of BACB certification and fees ($70 application; $70 biennial renewal).

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Kansas licensing portals & background checks.

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