Resources · Path to Licensure
Step-by-step licensure pathways in Ohio.
Ohio licenses its mental and behavioral health professions across three boards. The CSWMFT Board runs a two-tier ladder for counseling (LPC → LPCC), social work (LSW → LISW), and marriage and family therapy (MFT → IMFT), where the entry tier carries the national exam and the upper tier adds post-degree supervised experience. The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board credentials addiction counselors — the CDCA is a certificate while the LCDC II, LCDC III, and LICDC are state licenses tied to the IC&RC ADC exam. The State Board of Psychology licenses psychologists (doctoral, EPPP plus an oral jurisprudence exam) and issues the Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA), a state credential built around the national BCBA exam. Note: Ohio uses a Laws & Rules video (not a graded written law exam) for CSWMFT licenses, but psychology and COBA do require a state jurisprudence component.
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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: NCE (National Counselor Examination); effective 1/1/2026 either the NCE or the NCMHCE may be used to qualify, but the Board pre-approves and directs LPC applicants to the NCE (NBCC/CCE State Licensure ProCounselor page).
Scope: Supervised-practice counseling license — the entry tier of the Ohio counselor ladder; an LPC provides counseling but must work toward the LPCC to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders independently.
- EducationMaster’s degree from a CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, or addiction counseling program (per Rule 4757-13-01). Non-CACREP graduates must submit a transcript with conferred degree plus a completed course worksheet for Board review.
- Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised experience is required for the LPC itself — it is the supervised-practice entry tier (the supervised hours attach to the LPCC). The accredited program’s practicum/internship satisfies pre-degree clinical training.
- ExamPass the NBCC National Counselor Examination (NCE). The Board pre-approves applicants to sit for the exam when the LPC application is issued; exam approval is valid 12 months. Effective 1/1/2026 the NCMHCE is also accepted, but the NCE is the directed exam for the LPC.
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov ($80 application fee + $3.50 processing). Email NCE results to your assigned License Examiner, submit an official transcript directly to the Board (CSW-Transcripts@cswb.ohio.gov), complete BCI & FBI background checks, and watch the Board’s online Laws & Rules video.
LPCC
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Required exam: As of 1/1/2026 the NCMHCE is NO LONGER required for the LPCC — an applicant who passed the NCE for the LPC is qualified by examination for the LPCC; the NCMHCE remains optional (e.g., for out-of-state portability).
Scope: Independent-practice clinical counseling license authorizing the autonomous diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.
- EducationSame CACREP-accredited graduate counseling degree as the LPC (Rule 4757-13-01); applicants typically already hold an active Ohio LPC.
- Supervision / experienceA minimum of 24 months and 3,000 hours of post-LPC supervised experience, including at least 150 hours of training supervision with an LPCC-S. At least 50% of time must be spent providing clinical counseling services (diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders). A doctorate in counseling may credit up to one year of supervised practice from a clinical doctoral internship.
- ExamNo additional exam required as of 1/1/2026 — NCE results used for the LPC carry over (LPCs are still considered licensed via examination). NCMHCE may be taken voluntarily on request to the License Examiner.
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov ($100 application fee + $3.50 processing); when prompted select ‘Examination’ even if not taking the NCMHCE. The LPCC-S submits the online LPCC Supervision form documenting the 3,000 hours/150 supervision hours; complete BCI & FBI checks and watch the Laws & Rules video.
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling
Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →CDCA
Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant
Required exam: No examination is required for the CDCA certificate (the IC&RC ADC exam attaches at the LCDC II level and above).
Scope: Entry-level OCDP certificate (not a license) authorizing assistant-level chemical dependency counseling under supervision; granted as a non-renewable Preliminary CDCA followed by a Renewable CDCA.
- EducationCDCA Preliminary requires the SUD education foundation (commonly described as 40 hours); the Renewable CDCA adds further SUD-specific education. Effective 7/1/2026 the initial CDCA Preliminary/CDCA SUD education must be obtained through college courses OR a Board-approved CDCA Bundle.
- Supervision / experienceNo minimum supervised work-experience hours are required to obtain the CDCA; the certificate authorizes practice under supervision while accruing hours toward an LCDC.
- ExamNone required for the CDCA.
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov under the Chemical Dependency Professionals Board; submit the SUD education documentation (transcripts/CEU certificates) and complete the required background check.
LCDC II
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II
Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination.
Scope: State license (associate/bachelor’s level) authorizing chemical dependency counseling within the LCDC scope of practice.
- EducationAn associate’s degree OR any bachelor’s degree meeting OCDP coursework requirements, plus 180 hours of SUD-specific education documented on the Board’s education grid (CDCA education hours may count toward the 180).
- Supervision / experience2,000 hours (approximately one year) of chemical-dependency counseling related compensated work experience or supervised internship/practicum, including 220 documented practical experience hours in the counseling core functions, verified online by supervisor(s).
- ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination (or submit an Examination Waiver Form if holding a qualifying Ohio license whose scope includes diagnosing/treating SUD).
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov under the Chemical Dependency Professionals Board; submit the 180-hour education grid, official transcript sent directly to transcripts@ocdp.ohio.gov, supervisor work-experience verification, and BCI background check.
LCDC III
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III
Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination.
Scope: State license (bachelor’s level in a behavioral science or nursing field) authorizing a broader scope including assessment within supervision.
- EducationA bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science or nursing field that meets OCDP coursework requirements, plus 180 hours of SUD-specific education documented on the Board’s education grid.
- Supervision / experience2,000 hours of chemical-dependency counseling related compensated work experience or supervised internship/practicum, including 220 documented core-function practical experience hours verified online by supervisor(s).
- ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination (or submit an Examination Waiver Form if holding a qualifying Ohio license whose scope includes diagnosing/treating SUD).
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov under the Chemical Dependency Professionals Board; submit the 180-hour education grid, an official transcript sent directly to the Board, supervisor work-experience verification, and BCI background check.
LICDC
Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor
Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) Examination.
Scope: Independent-practice state license (master’s level) authorizing autonomous chemical dependency counseling, including diagnosing and treating substance use disorder conditions.
- EducationA master’s degree or higher meeting the behavioral science degree requirements or nursing, from an accredited school (official transcript required). Holders of one of the six listed master’s degrees in OAC 4758-5-05(D)(2) — Addiction/SUD Counseling, Clinical Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Pediatrics Psychology, or Social Work — need not complete the Master’s Degree Education Coursework Form. Plus 180 hours of SUD-specific education on the Board’s grid (CDCA Pre/CDCA education may count; 50% of hours within the last 5 years).
- Supervision / experience2,000 hours (approximately one year) of chemical-dependency counseling related compensated work experience or supervised internship/practicum under an appropriate scope of practice, including 220 documented core-function practical experience hours; supervisors verify hours online in eLicense after the applicant applies and pays. (LCDC II/III holders may CONVERT to LICDC, completing only the degree and education-form steps.)
- ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination (or complete an Examination Waiver Form if holding a valid Ohio license that authorizes a profession whose scope includes SUD counseling and diagnosing/treating SUD conditions).
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov under the Chemical Dependency Professionals Board; submit an official college transcript directly to the Board, the Master’s Degree Education Coursework Form (if applicable), the 180-hour education grid, a signed clinical job description from the supervisor(s), supervisor work-experience verification, and BCI background check.
Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources
Marriage & Family Therapy
Prep for the National MFT Exam →MFT
Marriage and Family Therapist
Required exam: AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (the National MFT Exam), administered via Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) at PSI testing centers.
Scope: Entry-tier marriage and family therapy license — the MFT carries the national exam; supervised post-degree experience is accrued toward the independent (IMFT) license.
- EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy. COAMFTE-accredited programs are automatically approved (applicants may sit for the exam in their final semester). Non-COAMFTE degrees must meet Rule 4757-25-01 — an identifiable MFT degree of at least 60 semester (90 quarter) hours — and submit a course worksheet and internship evaluation for eligibility review.
- Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised experience is required for the entry-level MFT license itself; the program’s practicum/internship satisfies pre-degree training. (The 1,000 client-contact and 200 supervision hours attach to the IMFT.)
- ExamPass the AMFTRB national exam. After the Board reviews education materials it issues an exam pre-approval email; the applicant pays PTC ($355) and schedules at a PSI center.
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov under the CSWMFT Board ($80 application + $3.50 processing), requesting AMFTRB exam approval; submit an official transcript showing the conferred degree directly to the Board, complete BCI & FBI background checks, and watch the Laws & Rules video.
IMFT
Independent Marriage and Family Therapist
Required exam: AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy (same national exam used for the MFT; not retaken).
Scope: Independent-practice license authorizing the autonomous diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational/family-systems framework.
- EducationSame graduate MFT degree as the MFT (COAMFTE-accredited or a Rule 4757-25-01-compliant MFT degree of at least 60 semester hours).
- Supervision / experienceAt least two calendar years of supervised training under Rule 4757-25-04: a minimum of 1,000 hours of documented face-to-face client contact in MFT (at least 500 hours with couples and/or families present) plus 200 hours of face-to-face supervision (at least 100 of which are individual). Up to 50 supervision hours may be under another qualified independent clinician (e.g., an ISW-S or LPCC-S); the remainder under a qualified IMFT supervisor per Rule 4757-29-01(C).
- ExamPass the AMFTRB national exam (typically already completed for the MFT; results carry over).
- ApplicationApply online at eLicense.Ohio.gov under the CSWMFT Board; submit supervision documentation verifying the 1,000 client-contact and 200 supervision hours, an official transcript, BCI & FBI background checks, and the Laws & Rules video.
Psychology
Prep for the EPPP →Licensed Psychologist
Licensed Psychologist
Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) PLUS Ohio’s oral jurisprudence examination on the Board’s laws, rules, and ethics.
Scope: Doctoral-level independent-practice license authorizing the full scope of psychological services, including assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy.
- EducationA doctoral degree in psychology or school psychology from an accredited institution; transcripts and training verification must be submitted to the Board directly from the original source (per ORC Chapter 4732 and OAC Chapter 4732).
- Supervision / experienceAt least 3,600 hours of qualifying supervised professional training (commonly a pre-doctoral internship plus supervised postdoctoral experience), verified to the Board from the original source.
- ExamPass the EPPP (passing score 500+). The Board admits candidates to the EPPP after determining a qualifying doctoral degree and required internship. The final step is the Board’s oral examination — an oral jurisprudence/ethics exam (free for the first attempt; $50 re-examination).
- ApplicationApply on the eLicense portal (elicense.ohio.gov); send transcripts and training verification forms from the original source via the Board’s fax/email, then schedule the oral examination once admitted.
Behavior Analysis
Prep for the BCBA exam →COBA
Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst
Required exam: BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination (administered by Pearson VUE) PLUS a Board jurisprudence workshop and post-workshop exam on Ohio laws and rules.
Scope: State credential issued by the Ohio Board of Psychology (under ORC Chapter 4783) authorizing the practice of applied behavior analysis; the title ‘certified Ohio behavior analyst’ is protected, so practice generally requires the COBA in addition to (or via) national BCBA certification.
- EducationA master’s or doctoral degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution. Holding an active BCBA from the BACB satisfies Ohio’s education, supervised-practice, and examination requirements via written BACB verification; non-BCBA applicants may instead demonstrate equivalence.
- Supervision / experience1,500 hours of supervised experience in behavior analysis (satisfied through BACB BCBA-certification requirements for applicants holding the BCBA; equivalence pathways available for others).
- ExamPass the BACB BCBA Certification Examination (or hold active BCBA certification with BACB verification). Additionally, attest to studying applicable Ohio laws/rules, attend the Board’s jurisprudence workshop (no longer than four hours), and pass the post-workshop exam.
- ApplicationApply on the eLicense portal (elicense.ohio.gov) under the Ohio Board of Psychology; submit BACB verification (or equivalence documentation), transcripts from the original source, complete the jurisprudence workshop/exam, and a background check.
All licenses
Ohio licensing portals & background checks.
How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one Ohio 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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Social Work
Prep for the ASWB exam →Licensed Social Worker
Required exam: ASWB Bachelors examination (BSW applicants) OR ASWB Masters examination (MSW/DSW applicants).
Licensed Independent Social Worker
Required exam: ASWB Clinical examination. Effective 7/10/2026 the LISW may be obtained only by passing the ASWB Clinical exam (narrow exceptions for those already in supervision targeting the Advanced Generalist).
Official Social Work resources
Ohio CSWMFT Board — Social Workers (Get Licensed) →Ohio CSWMFT Board — LSW License Instructions →Ohio CSWMFT Board — LISW License Instructions →Ohio CSWMFT Board — Licensed Independent Social Worker FAQs →