Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Kentucky.

Kentucky licenses all six behavioral-health professions at the state level, and several of its ladders are unusually deep. Counseling, social work, marriage & family therapy, addictions counseling, psychology, and applied behavior analysis each have their own statutory board. Two features stand out: Kentucky’s psychology ladder includes a distinctive master’s-level independent tier — the Licensed Psychological Practitioner (LPP) — that must pass the EPPP at the same cut score required of doctoral psychologists, and Kentucky social work runs a true three-tier ladder (LSW at the bachelor’s level, CSW at the master’s level, and LCSW for clinical practice). The Board of Examiners of Psychology also administers a state oral examination and a jurisprudence examination on top of the EPPP. Addictions counseling is its own licensed/certified profession under the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors using the IC&RC examination series.

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Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychologyBehavior Analysis

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LPCA

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Required exam: No national examination is required to obtain the LPCA; the NCE or NCMHCE is taken on the path to the LPCC. (A passing exam score may be submitted at the associate stage but is not a condition of the associate license.)

Scope: Kentucky’s entry-tier counseling credential (the associate license). It authorizes the holder to practice professional counseling only under board-approved clinical supervision while accruing the post-degree experience hours required for the full LPCC. Issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors under KRS Chapter 335.
  1. EducationA qualifying master’s or doctoral degree in counseling (minimum 60 graduate semester hours) that meets the Board’s coursework requirements and includes a supervised practicum/internship. Applicants who enrolled in a program after January 15, 2015, or who receive the degree after May 31, 2020, must graduate from a CACREP-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior post-degree experience is required to obtain the LPCA; the associate license is the vehicle for accruing supervised hours. The applicant must identify a board-approved supervisor (a Kentucky LPCC with the supervisor designation, “LPCC-S”) before practicing.
  3. ExamNo exam is required at the associate tier.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (initial application fee $50), submit official transcripts and the supervision agreement, and complete an FBI criminal background check (as of February 16, 2024 the FBI check alone satisfies the background requirement).
LPCC

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Required exam: Pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both administered by NBCC. Kentucky accepts either exam for LPCC licensure.

Scope: Kentucky’s full, independent counseling license, authorizing the autonomous practice of professional clinical counseling — including the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders — under KRS Chapter 335. The clinical-supervisor designation (LPCC-S) is added to an LPCC who qualifies to supervise associates.
  1. EducationThe same qualifying master’s or doctoral counseling degree (minimum 60 graduate semester hours, CACREP-accredited for applicants subject to the 2015/2020 rule) required for the associate license.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience accrued as an LPCA, including at least 1,600 hours of direct counseling with clients and at least 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision with a board-approved supervisor (LPCC-S).
  3. ExamPass the NCE or the NCMHCE; the official score is reported to the Board.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (application fee $150) with transcripts, documentation of the 4,000 supervised hours, the supervisor’s verification, and the passing exam score.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CADC

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination (the same IC&RC ADC exam used at the certification tier). The IC&RC exam fee is approximately $200 and must be taken within one year of application approval.

Scope: Kentucky’s entry-level addictions credential, issued by the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors for bachelor’s-degree holders. CADC counselors deliver direct alcohol- and drug-counseling services under clinical supervision in treatment facilities, outpatient programs, and community settings.
  1. EducationA bachelor’s degree (in a behavioral-science field, or another field with qualifying coursework) plus 270 hours of board-approved alcohol- and drug-counseling classroom education across the required content areas.
  2. Supervision / experienceApproximately 4,000 hours of supervised alcohol- and drug-counseling work experience under a board-approved supervisor. (A Temporary CADC, “TCADC,” is available to candidates accruing the required hours.)
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the CADC application packet to the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (P.O. Box 1360, Frankfort, KY 40602) with transcripts, the education and supervised-experience documentation, and the exam authorization.
LADC

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor

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

Scope: Master’s-level addictions license (a 30-graduate-semester-hour master’s tier) issued by the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The LADC recognizes advanced clinical training and handles more complex cases, but still practices under clinical supervision rather than fully independently (independent practice is the LCADC tier).
  1. EducationA master’s degree comprising at least 30 graduate semester hours, plus the board-approved alcohol- and drug-counseling classroom education in the required content areas.
  2. Supervision / experienceApproximately 4,000 hours of supervised alcohol- and drug-counseling work experience under a board-approved supervisor.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the applicable application packet to the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors with transcripts, the education and supervised-experience documentation, and the exam authorization.
LCADCA

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Associate

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

Scope: The associate tier of Kentucky’s clinical addictions ladder, created for those who already hold a qualifying master’s degree but have not yet completed the work and supervision requirements for the full LCADC. The LCADCA practices clinical alcohol- and drug-counseling under supervision while accruing the required hours.
  1. EducationA qualifying master’s degree plus at least 180 hours of board-approved alcohol- and drug-counseling classroom education.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior post-degree clinical hours are required to obtain the associate credential; the LCADCA is the vehicle for accruing the supervised clinical experience required for the LCADC, under a board-approved supervisor.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCADCA application packet to the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors with transcripts, the 180-hour education documentation, the supervision agreement, and the exam authorization.
LCADC

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor

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

Scope: Kentucky’s highest, independent addictions-counseling license. An LCADC can diagnose substance-use disorders, provide independent clinical treatment, open a private practice, and supervise CADCs and LADCs. Requires a full 60-semester-hour master’s degree.
  1. EducationA master’s degree of at least 60 graduate semester hours, plus at least 180 hours of board-approved alcohol- and drug-counseling classroom education in the required content areas.
  2. Supervision / experienceApproximately 4,000 hours of supervised clinical alcohol- and drug-counseling work experience (accrued as an LCADCA) under a board-approved supervisor.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Examination.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LCADC application packet to the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors with official transcripts, the education and supervised-clinical-experience documentation, and the exam authorization.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors Examination (the basic-level national exam).

Scope: Kentucky’s bachelor’s-level entry social work license, issued by the Kentucky Board of Social Work under KRS Chapter 335. The LSW authorizes generalist social work practice at the bachelor’s level (not independent clinical practice).
  1. EducationA Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program — or a non-social-work bachelor’s degree with coursework equivalent to a CSWE-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised-experience requirement at the bachelor’s (LSW) tier; the license is granted on the qualifying degree plus the examination.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Social Work with official transcripts, the application checklist materials, fees, and the passing ASWB Bachelors score.
CSW

Certified Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters Examination (the intermediate-level national exam).

Scope: Kentucky’s master’s-level generalist social work credential — an intermediate tier for MSW graduates who are not (yet) pursuing independent clinical licensure. Authorizes master’s-level social work practice short of independent clinical practice.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program approved by the Board.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised-experience requirement is imposed for the CSW itself, though supervision may be required by an employer or role (the clinical supervision requirement attaches to the LCSW).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Social Work with official transcripts, the application checklist materials, fees, and the passing ASWB Masters score.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical Examination (the advanced clinical-level national exam).

Scope: Kentucky’s top social work license, authorizing independent clinical social work practice, including diagnosis and treatment, under KRS Chapter 335.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least two (2) years of full-time post-master’s clinical experience (or three years part-time) under board-approved supervision, including at least 150 hours of clinical supervision (with at least 100 hours of individual supervision; up to 50 hours may be group). The approved supervisor must be an LCSW licensed at least two years.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Social Work with official transcripts, the supervised-clinical-experience and supervisor verification, fees, and the passing ASWB Clinical score.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
MFTA

Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Required exam: No exam is required to obtain the associate permit, but once the associate-permit application is filed the candidate becomes eligible to sit for the AMFTRB national MFT examination on the path to the LMFT.

Scope: Kentucky’s MFT associate permit, issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists. It authorizes supervised marriage-and-family-therapy practice while the holder accrues the post-master’s experience and supervision required for the full LMFT. A maximum of five (5) years is allowed to complete the associate requirements.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a related field with equivalent coursework) from a regionally accredited program, including a practicum with at least 300 hours of supervised client contact.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior post-degree experience is required to obtain the associate permit; it is the vehicle for accruing the hours required for the LMFT. A board-approved supervisor must be identified.
  3. ExamNo exam is required at the associate tier (the AMFTRB exam is taken before full licensure).
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists with transcripts, documentation of the qualifying degree and practicum, and the supervision agreement.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: AMFTRB National Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Examination.

Scope: Kentucky’s full, independent license authorizing the autonomous practice of marriage and family therapy — the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational/family-systems framework — under KRS Chapter 335.
  1. EducationThe same master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or equivalent) with the 300-hour supervised practicum required for the associate permit.
  2. Supervision / experiencePost-master’s experience accrued as an MFTA, including at least 1,000 client-contact hours over a minimum of two (2) years and at least 200 hours of post-master’s clinical supervision acceptable to the Board (completed within the five-year associate window).
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB National MFT Examination; the official score is reported to the Board.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists with transcripts, the supervised-experience and supervision documentation, and the passing AMFTRB score.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
LPA

Licensed Psychological Associate

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) — the LPA must pass the EPPP at the master’s cut score — plus the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination.

Scope: Kentucky’s master’s-level, supervised psychology credential, issued by the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology. The LPA practices psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist; it is the entry tier of Kentucky’s distinctive master’s-level psychology ladder.
  1. EducationA master’s degree in psychology (approximately 45+ graduate credits) from a regionally accredited institution with coursework in psychological assessment and treatment.
  2. Supervision / experienceSupervised practicum/internship experience (on the order of 600 hours, with at least 150 hours of direct client contact), with ongoing practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (master’s cut score) and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology with official transcripts, supervised-experience documentation, references, and the EPPP and jurisprudence results.
LPP

Licensed Psychological Practitioner

Required exam: EPPP — the LPP must pass the EPPP with a score equal to or exceeding the passing score required of a doctoral-level Licensed Psychologist candidate at the time the exam is taken — plus the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination.

Scope: Kentucky’s distinctive master’s-level INDEPENDENT psychology license. An LPP may provide a broad range of psychological services WITHOUT supervision — the master’s-level credential that confers independent practice in Kentucky (the doctoral Licensed Psychologist remains the fullest scope). Issued by the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology.
  1. EducationAt least 60 graduate semester hours of psychology coursework (a master’s degree plus additional graduate work) from a regionally accredited institution.
  2. Supervision / experienceQualifying supervised professional experience earned while holding an acceptable state credential (e.g., as an LPA). A 2024 regulatory change reduced the experience requirement to approximately two (2) years of supervised practice (down from five).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP at the doctoral-level cut score and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology with official transcripts, supervised-experience documentation, references, and the EPPP and jurisprudence results.
LP

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP at the doctoral cut score, PLUS a Kentucky oral examination (assessing the candidate’s declared specialty area) and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination (taken the same day as the oral exam).

Scope: Kentucky’s doctoral-level, full independent-practice psychology license, issued by the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology — the broadest scope of psychological services including assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. Practitioners work under a temporary license while completing post-doctoral supervised experience.
  1. EducationA doctoral degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in psychology from a regionally accredited institution reflecting at least three academic years of graduate study, at least one in residency, with the required breadth and specialty coursework, plus a health-services internship of at least 1,800 hours.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 1,800 hours of post-doctoral supervised practice over at least one calendar year, with one hour of face-to-face supervision per week, accrued under a temporary license.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (doctoral cut score), the Kentucky oral examination, and the Kentucky Jurisprudence Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology (application fee $100 plus $100 oral-exam fee) with official transcripts, internship and supervised-experience documentation, three references, and the EPPP/oral/jurisprudence results.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
LaBA

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) Certification Examination of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). No separate Kentucky state examination is required.

Scope: Kentucky’s assistant-tier behavior-analysis license, issued by the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board under KRS Chapter 319C. It authorizes the practice of applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst and corresponds to BACB BCaBA-level certification.
  1. EducationA qualifying bachelor’s degree and BACB-approved coursework satisfying the requirements for BACB BCaBA certification.
  2. Supervision / experienceBACB-required supervised fieldwork for BCaBA certification; in Kentucky the LaBA practices under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst, and must submit proof of at least five (5) hours of training in abuse, neglect, or dependency.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCaBA Certification Examination (i.e., hold active BCaBA certification).
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board (LaBA fee $300; Temporary LaBA $200) with BACB certification verification and the abuse/neglect training proof; mail to P.O. Box 1360, Frankfort, KY 40602.
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) Certification Examination of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). No separate Kentucky state examination is required.

Scope: Kentucky’s full behavior-analysis license, issued by the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board under KRS Chapter 319C, authorizing the independent practice of applied behavior analysis. Kentucky defers to BACB BCBA certification for qualifications but applies its own ethics code that supersedes conflicting BACB Code provisions (KRS 319C.060(2)(c)).
  1. EducationA qualifying master’s (or higher) degree and BACB-approved coursework satisfying the requirements for BACB BCBA certification.
  2. Supervision / experienceThe BACB-required 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork for BCBA certification; in addition, Kentucky requires proof of at least five (5) hours of training that explicitly covered abuse, neglect, or dependency.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCBA Certification Examination (i.e., hold current, active BCBA certification). No additional Kentucky examination is required.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board (LBA fee $400; Temporary LBA $300) with BACB certification verification and the abuse/neglect training proof; mail to P.O. Box 1360, Frankfort, KY 40602. Licenses renew biennially.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Kentucky licensing portals & background checks.

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