Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Michigan.

Michigan licenses its mental and behavioral health professions through LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing. Counseling, social work, and marriage & family therapy each begin with a Michigan-distinctive LIMITED license (LLPC, LLBSW/LLMSW, LLMFT) that authorizes supervised practice while the candidate accrues post-degree experience, followed by the full independent license (LPC, LBSW/LMSW, LMFT). Psychology runs from the doctoral Licensed Psychologist down to a master’s-level Limited License Psychologist (LLP), with a Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP) supervised tier beneath. Michigan separately licenses behavior analysts (LBA) through the Board of Behavior Analysts, deferring to BACB BCBA certification. Addictions counseling is a voluntary MCBAP/IC&RC certification ladder (CADC and CAADC), not a LARA license. Michigan does not impose a separate state jurisprudence/law exam for these professions, but most require 2 hours of implicit-bias training before the license is issued.

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

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LLPC

Limited Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: No examination is required to obtain the LLPC (the NCMHCE is taken on the path to the full LPC).

Scope: Michigan’s entry-tier limited counseling license; authorizes the practice of counseling only under the supervision of a fully licensed LPC while the holder accrues the post-degree experience required for full licensure.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, or from a program meeting the equivalent coursework standards of Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.1751 — at least 48 semester hours for candidates who entered the program on or before June 30, 2023, rising to 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) for those who entered on or after July 1, 2023, including a practicum and internship in diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo experience is required to obtain the limited license; the LLPC itself is the vehicle for accruing supervised hours. The holder must practice under a qualified supervising LPC whose name, business address, and phone are filed with the Bureau.
  3. ExamNone required to obtain the LLPC.
  4. ApplicationApply through LARA’s MiPLUS online system with official transcripts sent directly from the school, the supervising LPC’s information, 2 hours of implicit-bias training completed within the prior 5 years, and a Michigan-required criminal background check.
LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination) administered by the NBCC — scores from a single testing organization are accepted.

Scope: Full, independent-practice counseling license authorizing the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, including the use of counseling techniques and, where authorized, the provision of supervision.
  1. EducationSame graduate counseling degree as the LLPC (master’s or doctoral, CACREP-accredited or R. 338.1751-equivalent; 48 semester hours for entry on/before June 30, 2023, otherwise 60 semester hours).
  2. Supervision / experienceMaster’s applicants must accrue 3,000 hours of post-degree counseling experience over a period of not less than two years, with at least 100 of those hours in the immediate physical presence of the supervising LPC or via two-way real-time audiovisual technology, supervised by a qualified LPC (Mich. Admin. Code R. 338.1757).
  3. ExamPass the NBCC NCMHCE; arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to LARA.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official transcripts, the Supervisor’s Verification of Experience documenting the 3,000 hours, the NCMHCE score, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training within the prior 5 years.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CADC

Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor

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

Scope: Entry-level voluntary MCBAP/IC&RC certification (NOT a LARA state license) for counselors providing direct substance use disorder (SUD) counseling in Michigan.
  1. EducationDegree-dependent. A high-school diploma/GED is the minimum; an associate or bachelor’s degree must be in an approved discipline (counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, MFT, family studies, sociology, human services, criminal justice, public health, nursing, or social science). Plus 300 total education hours, of which 180 must be SUD-specific, up to 120 SUD-related, and 6 hours of professional ethics.
  2. Supervision / experiencePaid or volunteer SUD work experience within the past 10 years, scaled by degree: 6,000 hours (high school/GED), 5,000 (associate’s), 4,000 (bachelor’s), or 2,000 (master’s or higher). Plus supervised practical experience in the IC&RC domains — 300 hours for high-school/associate candidates or 200 hours for associate-or-higher candidates, with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain, supervised by a CCS/CCS-M, LMSW, LPC, or Licensed Psychologist.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination (re-takes require a 90-day wait; the passing exam must be within 10 years of application).
  4. ApplicationApply online through Certemy with verification of all required documents; MCBAP reviews within 42 business days once the application is 100% complete. A signed MCBAP/IC&RC Code of Ethics is required.
CAADC

Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor

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

Scope: Master’s-level advanced MCBAP/IC&RC certification representing the highest clinical tier of Michigan’s addictions credentialing ladder; still a certification, not a state license.
  1. EducationA master’s degree or higher in an approved discipline (counseling, psychology, social work, addiction studies, or MFT). Plus 186 total education hours, of which 180 must be SUD-specific and 6 hours professional ethics.
  2. Supervision / experience2,000 hours of SUD counseling work experience (master’s level), plus 100 hours of post-master’s supervised practical experience specific to the IC&RC domains, with a minimum of 10 hours in each domain, under a CCS/CCS-M, LMSW, LPC, or Licensed Psychologist.
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC Advanced AADC examination.
  4. ApplicationApply online through Certemy under the MCBAP CAADC requirements (reviewed within 42 business days of a complete application); signed MCBAP CADC/CAADC Code of Ethics required.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LLBSW / LLMSW

Limited Licensed Bachelor’s / Master’s Social Worker

Required exam: No examination is required to obtain the limited license; effective June 30, 2021, the limited licensee is not made eligible for the ASWB exam until the 4,000 supervised hours are verified.

Scope: Michigan’s entry-tier limited social work licenses; authorize supervised practice at the bachelor’s (LLBSW) or master’s (LLMSW) level while the holder accrues the 4,000 hours of supervised experience required for full licensure.
  1. EducationA CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work (LLBSW) or a CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work (LLMSW). The LLMSW carries a Clinical or Macro designation matching the intended scope of practice.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior experience is required to obtain the limited license; it is the vehicle for accruing the 4,000 hours of supervised work experience toward the full license, supervised by a Michigan-licensed social worker of the same designation.
  3. ExamNone required to obtain the limited license.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official transcripts sent directly from the school, the supervisor’s information, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training within the prior 5 years.
LBSW / LMSW

Licensed Bachelor’s / Master’s Social Worker

Required exam: LBSW: ASWB Bachelors Examination. LMSW: ASWB Clinical Examination (Clinical designation) or ASWB Advanced Generalist Examination (Macro designation).

Scope: Full social work licenses. The LBSW authorizes general (non-clinical) bachelor’s-level practice; the LMSW is issued with either a Clinical designation (independent clinical practice, diagnosis, and psychotherapy) or a Macro designation (administration, policy, and community organization).
  1. EducationA CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree (LBSW) or master’s degree (LMSW) in social work; LMSW applicants declare a Clinical or Macro designation.
  2. Supervision / experience4,000 hours of supervised social work experience at the bachelor’s, or at the master’s macro or clinical level as applicable, supervised by a Michigan-licensed social worker of the same designation — including at least 4 hours/month of supervisory review of active work functions and records and at least 2 hours/month of face-to-face individual supervision. The 4,000 hours must be completed before exam eligibility.
  3. ExamPass the applicable ASWB examination (Bachelors for LBSW; Clinical or Advanced Generalist for LMSW). ASWB sends the verified passing score directly to LARA.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official transcripts, the Supervisor’s Verification of Social Work Experience form documenting the 4,000 hours, the ASWB score, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
LLMFT

Limited Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: No examination is required to obtain the limited license (the AMFTRB national exam is taken on the path to the full LMFT).

Scope: Michigan’s entry-tier limited MFT license (issued as an educational limited license); authorizes supervised practice of marriage and family therapy while the holder accrues the post-degree clinical hours required for full licensure.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (or equivalent) meeting Board coursework standards, including a supervised practicum of at least 300 direct client-contact hours, of which at least 200 hours are completed with a supervisor present (at least 100 of those as individual supervision).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior post-degree experience is required to obtain the limited license; the LLMFT is held while accruing the post-degree clinical hours required for the LMFT, supervised by a licensed MFT.
  3. ExamNone required to obtain the limited license.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official transcripts, the supervisor’s information, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training within the prior 5 years.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: AMFTRB National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination (administered electronically by the Professional Testing Corporation).

Scope: Full, independent-practice license authorizing the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational and family-systems framework.
  1. EducationA graduate (master’s or doctoral) MFT degree meeting Board standards; the Michigan educational limited license (LLMFT) documents the education requirement.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 1,000 hours of post-degree direct client contact, supervised by a licensed MFT. If the experience is obtained in Michigan, the candidate should hold the educational limited license (LLMFT) while accruing it.
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB National MFT Examination; arrange for an official score report to be sent to LARA. The exam is offered during the third full week of each month, with the application deadline the first Monday of the preceding month.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official transcripts, the supervisor’s verification of the 1,000 direct-contact hours, the AMFTRB score, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
LLP

Limited License Psychologist (master’s level)

Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) with a score of at least 350.

Scope: Master’s-level psychology license. The LLP must practice under the supervision of a fully licensed psychologist unless working for a governmental agency or a qualifying nonprofit organization. A Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP) is the supervised tier beneath, held while accruing the post-master’s experience needed for the LLP.
  1. EducationA master’s degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution meeting Board coursework standards.
  2. Supervision / experiencePost-master’s supervised professional experience documented on the Supervision Evaluation Form; this experience is typically accrued while holding a master’s Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP) under a fully licensed psychologist.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP with a scaled score of at least 350. EPPP eligibility requires holding (or having held) a master’s educational limited (TLLP) or doctoral educational limited license, or having applied and met all other requirements for the limited or full license.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official transcripts, the Supervision Evaluation Form, the EPPP score, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training within the prior 5 years (required since June 1, 2022).
LP

Licensed Psychologist (doctoral)

Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology).

Scope: Doctoral-level, full independent-practice license authorizing the complete scope of psychological services including assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy.
  1. EducationA doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution meeting Board standards. A doctoral educational limited license is held during training; a Doctoral Temporary Limited License Psychologist (TLLP) is used to accrue the internship hours required for the doctoral educational limited license (and does not by itself confer EPPP eligibility).
  2. Supervision / experienceSupervised professional experience including a doctoral internship and post-doctoral supervised experience under a fully licensed psychologist, documented on the Board’s supervision forms.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP; arrange for an official ASPPB score report to be sent directly to LARA.
  4. ApplicationApply through MiPLUS with official doctoral transcripts, supervised-experience verification, the EPPP score, and 2 hours of implicit-bias training within the prior 5 years.

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).

Scope: Michigan state license (administered by LARA’s Board of Behavior Analysts; licensure has been mandatory to practice applied behavior analysis in Michigan since the program began in January 2020) authorizing the independent practice of applied behavior analysis. Michigan defers to BACB certification to set the qualifications.
  1. EducationA qualifying graduate degree and BACB-approved coursework satisfying the requirements for BACB BCBA certification (documented through the BACB).
  2. Supervision / experienceThe supervised fieldwork is satisfied through the BACB’s BCBA certification requirements; Michigan recognizes current, active BCBA certification as the basis for licensure.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCBA Certification Examination (i.e., hold current, active BCBA certification).
  4. ApplicationApply through LARA’s MiPLUS system; the BACB must send proof of certification directly to LARA. A criminal background check and 2 hours of implicit-bias training are required. The state license renews every four years (the underlying BCBA certification renews every two).

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Michigan licensing portals & background checks.

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