Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Texas.

Texas consolidated its counseling, marriage & family therapy, social work, and psychology boards under the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), which now issues those four professions' licenses while each member board sets its own clinical rules. Chemical dependency counselors are licensed separately by Texas HHSC, and behavior analysts are licensed by TDLR. Texas requires a profession-specific online open-book Jurisprudence Examination for counseling, MFT, social work, and psychology — but NOT for chemical dependency counselors or behavior analysts.

Want the one-line summary instead? See the Texas licensure overview →
Open the profession + state finder →

Jump to a profession

Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychologyBehavior Analysis

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LPC Associate

Licensed Professional Counselor Associate

Required exam: National Counselor Examination (NCE) OR National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) via NBCC + Texas LPC Jurisprudence Examination

Scope: Entry-level counseling license that authorizes supervised clinical practice while accruing the experience required for full LPC licensure.
  1. EducationEarn a graduate (master's or doctoral) degree in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited program meeting board rules 681.81–681.83, including a supervised practicum.
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a board-approved LPC Supervisor (up to two at a time) and submit a Supervisory Agreement Form; supervised practice begins only after the Associate license is issued.
  3. ExamPass the NCE or NCMHCE (administered by NBCC; scores do not expire) and complete the Texas LPC Jurisprudence Examination (online, via eStrategy Solutions) no more than 6 months before applying.
  4. ApplicationApply online to BHEC with fee, official transcripts, exam verification, Supervisory Agreement Form, NPDB self-query, and fingerprint background check.
LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: No new national exam (NCE/NCMHCE already passed at Associate stage); jurisprudence already completed

Scope: Full, independent counseling license authorizing autonomous practice of professional counseling in Texas.
  1. EducationGraduate counseling degree already verified at the LPC Associate stage; no additional degree required.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete a minimum of 18 months of supervised experience totaling 3,000 hours, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client counseling, with at least 4 hours of supervision per month (board rule 681.92).
  3. ExamNCE/NCMHCE and Texas LPC Jurisprudence Examination already satisfied as an LPC Associate; no additional exam to upgrade.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the upgrade application to BHEC with the supervisor's Supervised Experience Documentation Form verifying completed hours; license converts from Associate to full LPC.
LPC-S

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor

Required exam: No additional national or jurisprudence exam required for the supervisor designation

Scope: Optional designation allowing a fully licensed LPC to supervise LPC Associates accruing licensure hours.
  1. EducationHold an active full LPC license; the graduate counseling degree requirement is already met.
  2. Supervision / experienceHold the LPC license for the required period and complete a board-approved supervision training course covering supervision models and ethics.
  3. ExamNo separate exam; competency is demonstrated through the required supervision training course.
  4. ApplicationApply to BHEC for the LPC-S designation with proof of the completed supervision training; once granted, the LPC may supervise Associates.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CI

Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (registered)

Required exam: No exam required to register as a Counselor Intern (the licensing examination is taken later, before upgrading to LCDC)

Scope: Registered intern status (the mandatory first step) authorizing supervised chemical-dependency counseling while accruing hours and completing the LCDC requirements.
  1. EducationBe at least 18 with a high-school diploma/GED; complete 270 classroom hours of chemical-dependency curricula and a 300-hour supervised field-work practicum (25 TAC §140.405), or qualify under the educational degree waiver.
  2. Supervision / experienceRegister with a Clinical Training Institution (CTI) under a Qualified Credentialed Counselor; the intern registration is valid for a 5-year term (one 3-year extension possible).
  3. ExamNo examination is required to obtain the Counselor Intern registration itself.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the paper Counselor Intern Registration application to HHSC with the $25 application + $40 background fees ($65 total), photo, fingerprints (FAST), transcript/education documentation, and ethics attestation.
LCDC

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

Required exam: HHSC-approved licensing examination administered by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (TCBAP) — both written parts must be passed (IC&RC-based)

Scope: Full license to independently practice chemical-dependency (substance use disorder) counseling in Texas.
  1. EducationHold an associate degree or more advanced degree (in addition to the 270 education hours / 300-hour practicum completed for intern registration).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete 4,000 hours of supervised work experience across the 12 Core Functions at a registered Clinical Training Institution under a Qualified Credentialed Counselor.
  3. ExamPass both parts of the HHSC-required licensing examination administered by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals (TCBAP).
  4. ApplicationThere is no separate LCDC application form — once all intern requirements (degree, 4,000 hours, and exam) are met, HHSC sends a letter with instructions to issue the full LCDC license.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LBSW

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors Examination + Texas Social Work Jurisprudence Examination

Scope: Entry-level (bachelor's) social work license for generalist, non-clinical social work practice.
  1. EducationEarn a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (or a program in CSWE candidacy).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised experience is required to obtain the LBSW; supervision applies only to specialty/clinical recognitions.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors examination and complete the Texas Social Work Jurisprudence Examination (online open-book) dated no earlier than 6 months before the application is received.
  4. ApplicationApply online to BHEC with fee, official CSWE transcript, exam scores, NPDB self-query, and fingerprint background check.
LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters Examination + Texas Social Work Jurisprudence Examination

Scope: Master's-level general (non-clinical) social work license; the prerequisite credential for upgrading to LCSW.
  1. EducationEarn a master's or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (or a program in CSWE candidacy) (22 TAC 781.401).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-graduate supervised experience is required to obtain the LMSW itself; students may sit for the ASWB Masters exam before graduation but must graduate before applying.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters examination (Texas will not accept the Clinical or Advanced Generalist exam in its place) and complete the Texas Social Work Jurisprudence Examination dated within 6 months.
  4. ApplicationApply online to BHEC with fee, official conferred-degree transcript, exam scores, NPDB self-query, and fingerprint background check.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical Examination + Texas Social Work Jurisprudence Examination (jurisprudence may already be on file from the LMSW stage; re-take if older than 6 months at application)

Scope: Highest social work license, authorizing independent clinical social work practice including diagnosis and psychotherapy.
  1. EducationHold a CSWE-accredited master's (or doctoral) degree in social work and the LMSW credential as the foundation for clinical licensure.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work practice over no less than 24 months, including at least 100 hours of supervision under a Texas LCSW-S (no more than 10 supervision hours counted per 30-day period); a Clinical Supervision Plan must be filed at the start.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical examination (the Advanced Generalist exam is not accepted in its place) and have a current Texas Social Work Jurisprudence Examination on file (dated within 6 months of application).
  4. ApplicationApply online to BHEC to reclassify from LMSW to LCSW with the Clinical Supervision Verification Form(s) from each LCSW-S, the Clinical Supervision Plan, exam scores, NPDB self-query, and fingerprints.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
LMFT Associate

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate

Required exam: AMFTRB National MFT Examination + Texas MFT Jurisprudence Examination

Scope: Entry-level MFT license authorizing supervised clinical practice of marriage and family therapy while accruing licensure hours.
  1. EducationEarn a qualifying graduate degree in marriage and family therapy (or a substantially equivalent program) meeting the MFT board's academic and practicum requirements.
  2. Supervision / experienceSecure a board-approved LMFT Supervisor (up to two at a time) and submit a Supervisory Agreement Form; supervised practice begins only after the Associate license is issued.
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB National MFT Examination (BHEC pre-approval required to register; up to 3 attempts) and complete the Texas MFT Jurisprudence Examination (online, via eStrategy Solutions) no more than 6 months before applying.
  4. ApplicationApply online to BHEC with fee, official transcripts, exam registration code/scores, Supervisory Agreement Form, NPDB self-query, and fingerprints.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: No new exam (AMFTRB National MFT Exam and Texas MFT Jurisprudence Exam already passed at the Associate stage)

Scope: Full, independent license to autonomously practice marriage and family therapy in Texas.
  1. EducationQualifying MFT graduate degree already verified at the LMFT Associate stage; no additional degree required.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete a minimum of 2 years and 3,000 hours of supervised experience, including at least 1,500 direct-clinical-service hours (at least 500 with couples/families), plus at least 200 hours of supervision (at least 100 individual), with a minimum of 1 hour of supervision weekly (22 TAC §801.142).
  3. ExamAMFTRB National MFT Examination and Texas MFT Jurisprudence Examination already satisfied as an Associate; no additional exam to upgrade.
  4. ApplicationSubmit the upgrade application to BHEC with the supervisor's Supervised Experience Verification (SEV) Form documenting the completed hours; license converts from Associate to full LMFT.
LMFT-S

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor

Required exam: No additional national or jurisprudence exam required for the supervisor designation

Scope: Optional designation allowing a fully licensed LMFT to supervise LMFT Associates accruing licensure hours.
  1. EducationHold an active full LMFT license; the qualifying MFT graduate degree requirement is already met.
  2. Supervision / experienceHold the LMFT license for the period required by board rule 801.143 and complete a board-approved supervision course covering supervision theory and ethics.
  3. ExamNo separate exam; competency is demonstrated through the required supervision course.
  4. ApplicationApply to BHEC for the LMFT-S designation with proof of the completed supervision training; once granted, the LMFT may supervise Associates.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
LPA

Licensed Psychological Associate

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) + Texas Jurisprudence Examination

Scope: Master's-level psychology license; practices under the supervision of a licensed psychologist unless granted independent-practice authority.
  1. EducationEarn a graduate degree in psychology of at least 60 semester credit hours (no more than 12 of practicum/internship counted toward the degree), with the specific graduate coursework required in 22 TAC 463.8.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 6 semester credit hours of practicum/internship within the graduate program under a licensed psychologist (no post-degree experience required for the base LPA).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (225-question national exam; passing scaled score 500) and the Texas Jurisprudence Examination (open-book online; minimum score 90%, taken within 6 months of application).
  4. ApplicationApply to BHEC with fee, official transcripts, coursework documentation, exam scores, NPDB self-query, and fingerprints.
LPA (Independent Practice)

Licensed Psychological Associate with Independent Practice Authority

Required exam: No new exam (EPPP and Jurisprudence already passed for the LPA)

Scope: LPA upgrade granting authority to practice independently (without psychologist supervision) within the LPA scope.
  1. EducationHold an active LPA; the qualifying graduate psychology degree is already verified.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience within 24–48 consecutive months, in not more than three placements.
  3. ExamNo additional exam; EPPP and Texas Jurisprudence Examination already satisfied as an LPA.
  4. ApplicationApply to BHEC for independent-practice authority with documentation of the qualifying supervised experience.
Provisional LP

Provisionally Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) + Texas Jurisprudence Examination

Scope: Temporary doctoral-level credential authorizing supervised practice while completing the post-doctoral hours required for full psychologist licensure.
  1. EducationEarn a doctoral degree in psychology and complete a formal internship of at least 1,750 hours within the doctoral program (22 TAC 463.10–463.11).
  2. Supervision / experiencePractice under a licensed psychologist as a Provisionally Licensed Psychologist (valid up to 2 years) while accruing the required post-doctoral supervised hours.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (scaled score 500) and the Texas Jurisprudence Examination (90% minimum), taken within 6 months of application.
  4. ApplicationApply to BHEC for the provisional license with doctoral transcript, internship verification, exam scores, NPDB self-query, and fingerprints.
LP

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP and Texas Jurisprudence Examination (already passed at the provisional/earlier stage)

Scope: Full, independent doctoral-level license to practice psychology autonomously in Texas.
  1. EducationDoctoral degree in psychology already verified, including the formal doctoral-program internship of at least 1,750 hours.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete a minimum of 1,750 hours of supervised experience following conferral of the doctoral degree (in addition to the 1,750 internship hours); APA/CPA-accredited graduates may count certain doctoral-program experience per 22 TAC 463.11.
  3. ExamEPPP (scaled score 500) and Texas Jurisprudence Examination already satisfied; no additional exam to obtain full licensure.
  4. ApplicationApply to BHEC for full psychologist licensure with verification of the completed post-doctoral supervised hours.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
LaBA

Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) examination (QABA's QASP-S also accepted); NO Texas state exam and NO Texas jurisprudence exam

Scope: Assistant-level Texas license to practice applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst.
  1. EducationMeet the BACB's BCaBA educational requirements (TDLR verifies current certification as proof of education rather than requiring transcripts).
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the supervised fieldwork required by the certifying entity (BACB/QABA) for the BCaBA/QASP-S credential.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCaBA examination (or QABA's QASP-S exam); Texas does NOT administer its own exam or a jurisprudence exam for behavior analysts.
  4. ApplicationApply online to TDLR with the fee, providing proof of current certification and passing a criminal-history background check; license valid 2 years.
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) examination in Applied Behavior Analysis (QABA's QBA also accepted); NO Texas state exam and NO Texas jurisprudence exam

Scope: Full Texas license to independently practice applied behavior analysis and use the title Licensed Behavior Analyst.
  1. EducationMeet the BACB's BCBA (or BCBA-Doctoral) educational requirements; TDLR accepts verification of current certification as proof of education.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete the supervised fieldwork required by the certifying entity (BACB/QABA) to earn and maintain the BCBA/QBA credential.
  3. ExamPass the BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst Examination (or QABA's QBA exam) and hold a current, good-standing certification; Texas adds NO state or jurisprudence exam.
  4. ApplicationApply online to TDLR with the $165 fee, proof of current certification, and a criminal-history background check; license valid 2 years.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Texas licensing portals & background checks.

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

Pass the exam on your path.

Triad’s AATBS brand prepares candidates for the EPPP, ASWB, NCE/NCMHCE, MFT, BCBA, and addictions exams — backed by a pass guarantee.

Find your exam prep →