Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Louisiana.

Louisiana licenses its behavioral-health professions through several independent boards rather than one umbrella agency. A notable structural feature is that the Louisiana LPC Board of Examiners regulates both professional counseling and marriage & family therapy under R.S. 37 ch. 11, issuing provisional credentials (PLPC, PLMFT) for the supervised-experience phase before full LPC/LMFT licensure. Louisiana is also unusual nationally in splitting psychology regulation: the LSBEP licenses traditional psychologists (and requires an oral examination on top of the EPPP and a state jurisprudence exam), while prescribing “Medical Psychologists” — doctoral psychologists who have completed a post-doctoral master’s in clinical psychopharmacology and may prescribe most medications — are licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners under the 2009 Medical Psychology Practice Act. Addiction counseling runs on a four-tier ADRA ladder (CIT → RAC → CAC → LAC) using IC&RC examinations, and Louisiana licenses behavior analysts (LBA) at the state level under Act 351 of 2013, deferring to BACB certification plus a state jurisprudence exam.

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

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
PLPC

Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: No national exam is required to obtain the PLPC; however, the NCE or NCMHCE must be attempted at least once each renewal period until passed, and a passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE is required before full LPC licensure.

Scope: Louisiana’s counseling provisional license, required before the post-master’s supervised experience needed for full LPC licensure can be accrued. A PLPC renders mental-health counseling and psychotherapy services only under the active supervision of a Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S) — the holder may not practice independently or receive direct payment for services. The provisional license renews every two years in October.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in professional mental-health counseling of at least 60 graduate semester hours, meeting the curriculum requirements of LAC 46:LXIII (the LPC Board rules), with official transcripts sent directly to the Board.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior experience is required to obtain the PLPC; the credential is the vehicle for accruing supervised hours. The applicant must secure a qualifying supervised position under a Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S). “Active supervision” means one hour of face-to-face supervision for every 20 hours of direct client contact, or at least once every three-month period.
  3. ExamNot required to obtain the PLPC (the NCE or NCMHCE is taken on the path to the full LPC).
  4. ApplicationApply through the LPC Board, submitting the application, official transcripts, the $100 application fee, a Declaration of Practices and Procedures, and the supervision agreement identifying the Board-Approved Supervisor.
LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: Pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both administered by NBCC. Only one of the two is required; the official score is sent directly from NBCC to the Board.

Scope: Full, independent counseling license under R.S. 37:1101 et seq. authorizing the practice of mental-health counseling and psychotherapy — prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders. The LPC may not prescribe medication or, except as narrowly permitted, administer or interpret psychological tests.
  1. EducationThe same master’s or doctoral degree in professional mental-health counseling (minimum 60 graduate semester hours) used for the PLPC, meeting the LAC 46:LXIII curriculum requirements.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience accrued as a PLPC — including a minimum of 1,900 direct client-contact hours, up to 1,000 indirect hours, and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision — completed over no fewer than two years and no more than six years from the date supervision was approved, under a Board-Approved Supervisor (LPC-S).
  3. ExamPass the NCE or NCMHCE; NBCC sends the official score report directly to the LPC Board.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LPC application with documentation of completed supervised hours (supervision logs/forms), official transcripts, the passing national-exam score, and the licensure fee.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CIT

Counselor in Training

Required exam: No IC&RC examination is required to register as a CIT (the ADC/AADC exam is taken at the RAC/CAC/LAC tier).

Scope: ADRA’s entry-status credential for individuals working toward an addiction-counseling credential. CIT status authorizes supervised practice toward the RAC/CAC/LAC while the holder accrues education and work experience. CIT status is renewed annually and may be held for up to six years total.
  1. EducationAt least 180 hours of substance-abuse-specific education must be completed before applying for CIT status (toward the 300-hour total required for the full credentials).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior work hours are required to register as a CIT; the status is the vehicle for accruing the supervised work experience and the 300-hour supervised practicum (with 20 hours in each of the 12 core functions of the addiction counselor) required for the full credentials, under a qualifying ADRA clinical supervisor.
  3. ExamNone required at the CIT stage.
  4. ApplicationApply to ADRA through the Certemy portal with documentation of the 180 hours of substance-abuse education and a qualifying supervision arrangement; renew annually.
RAC

Registered Addiction Counselor

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

Scope: ADRA’s entry-level full addiction-counseling credential, requiring a high school diploma or GED. It authorizes the practice of addiction counseling within the 12 core functions, under ADRA’s scope and supervision rules.
  1. Education300 clock hours of addiction-focused education — 180 hours specific to substance-abuse counseling, 114 ADRA-approved related hours, and 6 hours of professional ethics.
  2. Supervision / experience6,000 hours of related supervised work experience, including the 300-hour supervised practicum covering 20 hours in each of the 12 core functions of the addiction counselor.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to ADRA through the Certemy portal with documentation of education, work experience, the practicum, and the passing ADC exam score, and pay the credential fee.
CAC

Certified Addiction Counselor

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

Scope: ADRA’s mid-level addiction-counseling credential, requiring a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral-science field. It authorizes addiction counseling within the 12 core functions at a higher credential level than the RAC.
  1. EducationA bachelor’s degree in a behavioral-science field PLUS 300 clock hours of addiction-focused education (180 substance-abuse-specific, 114 ADRA-approved related, 6 professional ethics).
  2. Supervision / experience4,000 hours of relevant supervised work experience, including the 300-hour supervised practicum (20 hours in each of the 12 core functions).
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to ADRA through the Certemy portal with the degree, education documentation, work-experience and practicum records, the passing ADC exam score, and the credential fee.
LAC

Licensed Addiction Counselor

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

Scope: ADRA’s advanced, master’s-level addiction-counseling credential — the top clinical tier of the Louisiana addiction-counseling ladder — requiring a master’s degree in a behavioral-science field. The LAC is the most populated ADRA credential (437 holders as of June 2026).
  1. EducationA master’s degree in a behavioral-science field PLUS 300 clock hours of addiction-focused education (180 substance-abuse-specific, 114 ADRA-approved related, 6 professional ethics).
  2. Supervision / experience2,000 hours of supervised work experience, including the 300-hour supervised practicum (20 hours in each of the 12 core functions).
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC AADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to ADRA through the Certemy portal with the master’s degree, education documentation, work-experience and practicum records, the passing AADC exam score, and the credential fee.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
RSW

Registered Social Worker

Required exam: No examination is required for the RSW.

Scope: Louisiana’s entry-tier social work credential (LABSWE), based on a bachelor’s degree in social work. It authorizes generalist (non-clinical) social work practice and is the only LABSWE credential that does not require a national examination. All LABSWE credentials renew annually with 20 CEU hours.
  1. EducationA bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, with official transcripts sent directly to LABSWE.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised-experience requirement; the RSW is granted on the degree alone.
  3. ExamNone required.
  4. ApplicationApply to LABSWE with the application, official transcripts, a criminal-background check, and the credential fee.
LMSW

Licensed Master’s Social Worker

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

Scope: Master’s-level social work license (LABSWE) authorizing non-private, supervised practice of master’s-level social work. The LMSW is the credential held while accruing the supervised clinical hours required for the LCSW; an LMSW working toward the LCSW must do so under board-approved clinical supervision (an LCSW-BACS).
  1. EducationA master’s degree in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, with official transcripts sent directly to LABSWE.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo separate post-degree experience is required for the LMSW itself; supervised-experience requirements attach to the LCSW. An LMSW who is not receiving board-approved clinical (BACS) supervision practices within the limits set by LABSWE rule (LAC 46:XXV).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters Examination; ASWB sends the score directly to LABSWE.
  4. ApplicationApply to LABSWE with the application, official transcripts, the passing ASWB Masters score, a criminal-background check, and the credential fee.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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

Scope: Louisiana’s top clinical social work license (LABSWE), authorizing the independent clinical practice of social work — including diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders — and private practice. LCSWs must complete 10 of their 20 annual CEU hours in clinical social work.
  1. EducationA master’s (or doctoral) degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program with the required clinical concentration/coursework.
  2. Supervision / experience5,760 total hours of post-graduate social work practice, of which at least 3,840 hours must be supervised and at least 96 must be face-to-face supervision, all under an LCSW-BACS (Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Board Approved Clinical Supervisor). This typically takes about two and a half to three years of full-time practice.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical Examination; ASWB sends the score directly to LABSWE.
  4. ApplicationApply to LABSWE with the application, official transcripts, documentation of completed BACS-supervised hours, the passing ASWB Clinical score, a criminal-background check, and the licensure fee.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
PLMFT

Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: No exam is required to obtain the PLMFT; the AMFTRB National MFT Examination is taken on the path to full LMFT licensure.

Scope: Louisiana’s MFT provisional license, issued by the LPC Board of Examiners (which regulates MFT as well as counseling). A PLMFT provides marriage and family therapy only under the active supervision of a Board-Approved LMFT Supervisor and may not practice independently or receive direct payment for services. The provisional license must be held under active supervision for at least two years and no more than six years.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or a closely related field with the required MFT coursework) meeting the curriculum requirements of LAC 46:LXIII, with official transcripts sent directly to the Board.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior experience is required to obtain the PLMFT; it is the vehicle for accruing supervised hours under a Board-Approved LMFT Supervisor. PLMFTs must accrue a minimum of 3,200 hours of supervised experience over a minimum of two years before they may be considered for LMFT licensure.
  3. ExamNot required to obtain the PLMFT.
  4. ApplicationApply through the LPC Board with the application, official transcripts, the application fee, a Declaration of Practices and Procedures, and the supervision agreement naming the Board-Approved Supervisor.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: Pass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (the AMFTRB exam, referred to by the Board as the NMFTE).

Scope: Full, independent license issued by the LPC Board authorizing the independent practice of marriage and family therapy for a fee — the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational/family-systems framework. Renews every two years in December.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy meeting the Board’s curriculum requirements (LAC 46:LXIII).
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,000 hours of clinical marriage-and-family-therapy services under a Board-Approved LMFT Supervisor — of which at least 2,000 must be direct client-contact hours and up to 1,000 may be related activities (case notes, workshops, consultation) — PLUS 200 hours of face-to-face supervision, of which at least 100 must be individual supervision.
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB National MFT Examination; the official score is sent to the LPC Board.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the LMFT Application for Licensure with documentation of supervised hours, official transcripts, the passing national-exam score, and the licensure fee.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
PLP

Provisionally Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: The EPPP, Oral Examination, and Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination are completed on the path to full LP licensure; the provisional license enables supervised practice in the interim.

Scope: LSBEP’s provisional psychology license, allowing a doctoral psychology applicant to provide psychological services under supervision while completing the required post-doctoral supervised experience toward full licensure. The provisional license is obtained through the LSBEP online licensing portal.
  1. EducationA doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited program (or board-determined equivalent), with official transcripts verified directly by LSBEP.
  2. Supervision / experienceA board-approved Supervised Practice Plan must be in place before post-doctoral supervised experience begins; supervision must be direct (the supervisor holds legal and functional authority over the cases, not mere consultation), under a licensed psychologist.
  3. ExamNot required to obtain the provisional license (the EPPP, oral, and jurisprudence exams are required for full LP licensure).
  4. ApplicationApply through the LSBEP Online Licensing Portal, submitting verified doctoral transcripts and the Supervised Practice Plan.
LP

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: Pass the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) at the doctoral level with a minimum scaled score of 500, PLUS an LSBEP Oral Examination AND the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination on state psychology law and ethics.

Scope: Louisiana’s doctoral-level, full independent psychology license (LSBEP), authorizing the complete scope of psychological services — assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy. (Prescribing authority is NOT included; see the Medical Psychologist note below.)
  1. EducationA doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited program (or board-determined equivalent), with transcripts verified directly by LSBEP.
  2. Supervision / experienceA minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of supervised professional experience in psychology — up to 2,000 hours as an APA-approved (or equivalent) pre-doctoral internship and the remainder as post-doctoral supervised experience under a licensed psychologist, accrued under the board-approved Supervised Practice Plan.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (scaled score 500+), the LSBEP Oral Examination, and the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination.
  4. ApplicationApply through the LSBEP Online Licensing Portal; submit verified doctoral transcripts, documentation of supervised experience, and arrange for EPPP scores to be sent directly to LSBEP, then complete the oral and jurisprudence examinations per the Board’s timetable.
MP

Medical Psychologist (prescribing) — LSBME

Required exam: Pass a national proficiency examination in psychopharmacology approved by the LSBME (e.g., the PEP exam).

Scope: Louisiana uniquely licenses prescribing “Medical Psychologists” through the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME), NOT the psychology board. Under the 2009 Medical Psychology Practice Act (regulation transferred from LSBEP to LSBME effective Jan. 1, 2010), an MP is a licensed psychologist with specialized clinical-psychopharmacology training who may administer, prescribe, and dispense most drugs (narcotics excepted). This is an advanced post-licensure credential layered on top of the LSBEP psychology license, not an entry-level tier.
  1. EducationHold a current, unrestricted Louisiana psychology license (LP) from LSBEP, AND complete a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from a regionally accredited institution (or board-approved equivalent training).
  2. Supervision / experienceAfter meeting the educational and examination requirements, an MP initially practices with a collaborating/supervising physician; an “advanced practice” Medical Psychology designation with greater independence is available after additional documented experience per LSBME rule.
  3. ExamPass the LSBME-approved national psychopharmacology proficiency examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) for Medical Psychology licensure, submitting proof of the LSBEP psychology license, the post-doctoral psychopharmacology master’s, and the passing proficiency-exam score.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
SCaBA

State Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination, plus the Louisiana behavior-analyst jurisprudence examination.

Scope: Louisiana’s assistant-tier behavior-analysis credential (LaBAB), for individuals who practice applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst. Created together with the LBA by Act 351 of 2013; LaBAB defers to BACB’s Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) qualifications.
  1. EducationA qualifying bachelor’s degree and BACB-approved coursework satisfying BCaBA certification requirements (verified through the BACB).
  2. Supervision / experienceBACB-required supervised fieldwork for BCaBA certification; in Louisiana the SCaBA practices under the ongoing supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst.
  3. ExamHold active BACB BCaBA certification (pass the BCaBA exam) and pass the Louisiana jurisprudence examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (via the Certemy portal) with BACB verification of active BCaBA certification, proof of the jurisprudence exam, and the credential fee.
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination, PLUS the Louisiana behavior-analyst jurisprudence examination.

Scope: Louisiana’s state license to practice applied behavior analysis independently (LaBAB), established by Act 351 of 2013 and the Behavior Analyst Practice Act. Louisiana defers to BACB certification for the substantive qualifications and adds a state jurisprudence exam; there is no separate state education requirement or separate state practice exam beyond holding the BCBA.
  1. EducationA qualifying master’s degree from an accredited institution and BACB-approved coursework satisfying BCBA certification requirements (verified through the BACB).
  2. Supervision / experienceBACB-required supervised fieldwork for BCBA certification — 1,500 hours of Concentrated Supervised Fieldwork or 2,000 hours of Supervised Fieldwork — satisfied through the BACB certification process and recognized by LaBAB.
  3. ExamHold active BACB BCBA certification (pass the BCBA exam) and pass the Louisiana jurisprudence examination.
  4. ApplicationApply to the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (via the Certemy portal) with BACB verification of active BCBA certification, proof of the jurisprudence exam, proof of required professional-liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $3,000,000 aggregate), and the $400 application fee.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Louisiana licensing portals & background checks.

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