Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin licenses its behavioral-health professions through the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Counseling, marriage & family therapy, and social work share a single board — the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work (MPSW) Examining Board — that operates as three independent Sections under Wis. Stat. ch. 457. Each of those three professions begins with a Wisconsin “training license” (the -IT credential: LPC-IT, LMFT-IT, plus the Social Work Training Certificate) that authorizes the supervised practice needed to accrue post-degree hours, followed by the full license. Two Wisconsin features stand out: an open-book Wisconsin Statutes & Rules (jurisprudence) examination is required of all social work, MFT, and psychology applicants (and of reciprocity applicants in counseling), and Wisconsin’s substance-abuse credential ladder is a genuine state credential issued under Wis. Stat. ch. 440 that uses the NAADAC NCAC I examination rather than the IC&RC series. Wisconsin also licenses behavior analysts (LBA) at the state level, deferring to BACB certification.

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

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LPC-IT

Licensed Professional Counselor Training License (Professional Counselor Training License)

Required exam: No national examination is required to obtain the training license; the NCE, NCMHCE, or CRCE is taken on the path to the full LPC.

Scope: Wisconsin’s counseling training license. A training license must be issued before any supervised practice and accrual of the post-degree supervised hours required for full LPC licensure can begin. The holder may use the title “Professional Counselor” and practice counseling within the scope of their training and supervision while the license is valid (48 months, renewable at the Section’s discretion).
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in professional counseling (or its equivalent) meeting the curriculum requirements of Wis. Admin. Code ch. MPSW 11 (documented on Curriculum Requirements Form #2239), with conferral verified on the Certificate of Professional Education (Form #1960).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior experience is required to obtain the training license; it is the vehicle for accruing the supervised hours. The applicant must show evidence (Employer Affidavit, Form #2456) of holding or having an offer for a position in a supervised counseling practice, supervised by a person qualified under Wis. Admin. Code § MPSW 12.02.
  3. ExamNone required to obtain the training license.
  4. ApplicationApply online through the DSPS LicensE portal (license.wi.gov) on Form #1962, pay the fee, submit official transcripts, the curriculum form, the Certificate of Professional Education, and the Employer Affidavit. (No Wisconsin jurisprudence exam is required of initial/training applicants — it applies only to counseling reciprocity applicants.)
LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Required exam: Pass one of: the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), both administered by NBCC, or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE) administered by CRCC. NBCC/CRCC determine exam eligibility and must send the score directly to the Professional Counselor Section.

Scope: Full, independent counseling license authorizing the practice of professional counseling under Wis. Stat. ch. 457 — including the use of counseling and psychotherapeutic techniques to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
  1. EducationSame master’s or doctoral degree in professional counseling as the training license, meeting the MPSW 11 curriculum requirements.
  2. Supervision / experienceAfter the master’s degree: at least 3,000 hours of post-degree professional counseling practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, accrued while holding a valid LPC training license and supervised under Wis. Admin. Code § MPSW 11.035 / 12.02 (averaging one hour of supervision per week). Doctoral candidates need at least 1,000 hours of full-time counseling practice (during or after the doctoral program; any practice outside the program must be under a training license).
  3. ExamPass the NCE, NCMHCE, or CRCE; arrange for the official score to be sent directly to the Professional Counselor Section.
  4. ApplicationRe-apply on Form #1962 through LicensE (training-license holders apply twice — once for the training license, again for full licensure), submitting the Supervised Practice Experience form (Form #2464), transcripts, and the passing national-exam score. Counseling reciprocity applicants (only) must also pass the open-book Wisconsin Statutes & Administrative Code (jurisprudence) examination.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
SAC-IT

Substance Abuse Counselor In-Training

Required exam: Pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination (open-book). No national examination is required at the in-training tier (the NAADAC NCAC I is taken at the SAC/CSAC tier).

Scope: Wisconsin’s entry-tier state SUD credential issued by DSPS under Wis. Stat. ch. 440. It authorizes supervised substance-use-disorder counseling while the holder accrues the work experience required for the SAC. The SAC-IT credential may be renewed only twice; supervised experience must be completed within the original term plus the two renewal periods.
  1. Education100 hours of specialized SUD education across the required content areas (Substance Abuse Assessment 15; Counseling 15; Case Management 10; Patient Education 15; Professional Responsibility 20; plus 25 elective hours within those performance domains), documented on Form #2832 or via a Department-approved program (Form #3079).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior hours are required to obtain the SAC-IT; the credential is the vehicle for accruing supervised SUD work experience. The applicant must provide evidence of current employment, internship, practicum, or a volunteer agreement at an agency providing SUD treatment (Employment Verification, Form #2770), supervised by a qualifying clinical supervisor.
  3. ExamPass the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination.
  4. ApplicationApply through the DSPS LicensE portal, pay the fee, and submit the education certificate and employment-verification form.
SAC

Substance Abuse Counselor

Required exam: NAADAC NCAC I (National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I) examination, plus the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination (unless already passed for the SAC-IT credential).

Scope: Mid-tier state SUD counseling credential (DSPS, Wis. Stat. ch. 440) authorizing the independent practice of substance-use-disorder counseling within the performance domains.
  1. Education360 hours of SUD specialized education from a postsecondary institution or Department-approved program (Substance Abuse Assessment 60; Counseling 60; Case Management 60; Patient Education 60; Professional Responsibility 60; Boundaries & Ethics 6; plus 54 elective hours within those domains).
  2. Supervision / experience3,000 hours of qualifying SUD work experience (described on the Supervised Experience Form #2749), completed within the five years immediately preceding the application date, supervised by a qualifying clinical supervisor (an Intermediate or Independent Clinical Supervisor, or a licensed physician, psychologist, professional counselor, MFT, clinical/advanced-practice/independent social worker practicing as a substance-abuse clinical supervisor).
  3. ExamPass the NAADAC NCAC I examination (DSPS authorizes the applicant; the fee is paid directly to NAADAC) and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination if not already passed.
  4. ApplicationApply through LicensE on Form #2743 with the education certificate, the supervised-experience form, and the national-exam authorization.
CSAC

Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor

Required exam: NAADAC NCAC I examination, plus the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination (unless already passed for a prior SAC-IT or SAC credential).

Scope: Advanced state SUD counseling credential (DSPS, Wis. Stat. ch. 440) — the highest clinical tier of Wisconsin’s substance-abuse counseling ladder, requiring a behavioral-science degree and a larger experience base than the SAC.
  1. EducationAn associate degree or higher in a behavioral-science field from an accredited college/university, AND either a held SAC credential or the same 360 hours of SUD specialized education required for the SAC (Assessment 60; Counseling 60; Case Management 60; Patient Education 60; Professional Responsibility 60; Boundaries & Ethics 6; plus 54 elective hours).
  2. Supervision / experience5,000 hours of qualifying SUD work experience (Form #2749) completed within the five years immediately preceding the application date, under a qualifying clinical supervisor.
  3. ExamPass the NAADAC NCAC I examination and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination if not already passed.
  4. ApplicationApply through LicensE on Form #2743 with official transcripts showing the associate-or-higher behavioral-science degree (sent directly from the school), evidence of the SAC credential or the 360-hour education certificate, and the supervised-experience form.
ICS

Intermediate Clinical Supervisor / Independent Clinical Supervisor

Required exam: Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination; clinical-supervisor applicants qualify chiefly through a held clinical credential plus documented SUD clinical-supervision experience rather than a separate national supervisor exam (verify the exact current requirement against DSPS Form #3222).

Scope: Wisconsin’s clinical-supervisor credentials for substance-abuse counseling (DSPS, Wis. Stat. ch. 440). These are supervisory tiers above the counseling credentials — an Intermediate Clinical Supervisor (ICS) or Independent Clinical Supervisor — that authorize a credential holder to supervise the SUD work experience of SAC-IT counselors. They are not entry-to-practice counseling tiers.
  1. EducationHold a qualifying underlying clinical credential (e.g., CSAC, or a licensed clinician practicing as a substance-abuse clinical supervisor) as the foundation for the supervisor credential. [Specific education/credit thresholds not independently re-verified here — confirm on DSPS #3222.]
  2. Supervision / experienceDocumented SUD clinical experience and clinical-supervision experience as specified by DSPS rule. [Exact hour thresholds not independently re-verified here.]
  3. ExamPass the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination.
  4. ApplicationApply through the DSPS LicensE portal using the Substance Abuse Professional / Clinical Supervisor information sheet (#3222) and supporting documentation.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
CSW

Certified Social Worker (Basic-Level Social Worker)

Required exam: ASWB Bachelors Examination (the basic-level national exam), plus the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (jurisprudence) examination — passing score 85%.

Scope: Wisconsin’s entry-tier social work credential (titled “Social Worker”; the “CSW” abbreviation reflects that it is a certification). Certification is required to use the title “Social Worker.” A separate, time-limited Social Work Training Certificate is available to new graduates accruing toward a credential.
  1. EducationA bachelor’s or higher degree in social work, with conferral documented on the Certificate of Professional Education (Form #1978). (Not required if the applicant completed a Wisconsin Social Work Training Certificate.)
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree supervised-experience requirement for the basic-level CSW; the credential is granted on degree plus examinations.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Bachelors Examination (scaled score of 70 or above) and the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination (85% to pass).
  4. ApplicationApply through the DSPS LicensE portal (#1992), pay the fee, and submit the Certificate of Professional Education and the jurisprudence-exam result.
APSW (CAPSW)

Advanced Practice Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters Examination (the intermediate-level national exam), plus the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (jurisprudence) examination — 85% to pass.

Scope: Master’s-level non-clinical advanced social work license. (The DSPS application code labels this credential “CAPSW” — Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker — while the board’s credentialing text uses “APSW.”) Authorizes advanced (generalist) social work practice; does not by itself confer independent clinical authority (see LCSW).
  1. EducationA master’s or higher degree in social work, with conferral documented on the Certificate of Professional Education (Form #1978).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo separate post-degree supervised-experience requirement is imposed at the APSW tier itself (supervision requirements attach to the ISW and LCSW tiers).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters Examination (scaled score 70+) and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination if not taken within the prior 5 years.
  4. ApplicationApply through LicensE (#1992) with the Certificate of Professional Education and the jurisprudence-exam result.
ISW (CISW)

Independent Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Advanced Generalist Examination (the advanced-level national exam) — or verification of ACSW certification from NASW — plus the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (jurisprudence) examination, 85% to pass.

Scope: Master’s-level independent (advanced-generalist) social work license. (DSPS application code “CISW”.) Authorizes independent advanced-generalist social work practice; it is the experience-based advanced tier and is a common prerequisite credential for accruing the supervised clinical hours required for the LCSW.
  1. EducationA master’s or higher degree in social work (Certificate of Professional Education, Form #1978).
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice — the equivalent of two years of full-time supervised practice approved by the Social Worker Section, with at least one hour of face-to-face individual or group supervision during each week of supervised practice (Wis. Admin. Code § MPSW 3.07 and ch. MPSW 4), supervised by an LCSW or Certified ISW with a master’s/doctorate (or another Section-approved supervisor), documented on the Supervisor’s Affidavit (Form #2992).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Advanced Generalist Examination (or provide ACSW verification) and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination.
  4. ApplicationApply through LicensE (#1992) with the Certificate of Professional Education, the Supervisor’s Affidavit (#2992), and the jurisprudence-exam result.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical Examination, plus the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (jurisprudence) examination — 85% to pass. A 9-month temporary clinical license is available to applicants who have met all requirements except the ASWB clinical exam.

Scope: Wisconsin’s top clinical social work license, authorizing independent clinical social work practice including DSM diagnosis and treatment of individuals under Wis. Stat. ch. 457.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in social work with a concentration in clinical social work, including a course in psychopathology and at least two clinical theory-and-practice courses, plus supervised clinical field training (Forms #2672 and #2673). In lieu of clinical field training, an applicant may document 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience (including at least 500 face-to-face client-contact hours) per Wis. Admin. Code § MPSW 4.01.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical social work experience, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact (of which the experience must include DSM diagnosis and treatment), accrued while certified as an APSW or ISW, under a Section-approved supervisor (typically an LCSW, psychiatrist, or psychologist). Documented on Forms #2560 (post-graduate experience) and #2672 (clinical field training).
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical Examination (sent directly from ASWB) and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination if not taken within the prior 5 years.
  4. ApplicationApply through LicensE (#2681) with official transcripts, the clinical-coursework verification (#2673), the supervised clinical field-training form (#2672), the post-graduate clinical-experience documentation (#2560), and the ASWB and jurisprudence-exam results.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
LMFT-IT

Marriage and Family Therapist Training License

Required exam: No examination is required to obtain the training license (the AMFTRB national exam and the Wisconsin jurisprudence exam are taken on the path to the full LMFT).

Scope: Wisconsin’s MFT training license. It is required to accumulate the supervised practice hours needed for full MFT licensure. Valid for 48 months and renewable at the discretion of the Marriage and Family Therapist Section.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy from a COAMFTE-accredited program (or equivalent), meeting the curriculum requirements of Wis. Admin. Code ch. MPSW 16 (Curriculum Requirements Form #2238).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo prior post-degree experience is required to obtain the training license; it is the vehicle for accruing supervised MFT practice. The applicant must show a qualifying supervised-employment position (Employment Form #2571), supervised by a qualified MFT supervisor.
  3. ExamNone required to obtain the training license.
  4. ApplicationApply through the DSPS LicensE portal (MFT Training License Key Steps, Form #22801) with transcripts, the curriculum form, and the employment form.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: AMFTRB National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination, plus the open-book Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (jurisprudence) examination — passing score 85%.

Scope: Full, independent license authorizing the practice of marriage and family therapy under Wis. Stat. ch. 457 — the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within a relational/family-systems framework.
  1. EducationA master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (COAMFTE-accredited or equivalent) meeting MPSW 16 curriculum standards.
  2. Supervision / experienceAt least 3,000 hours of supervised marriage and family therapy practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, accrued while holding a valid MFT training license, with a minimum of one hour of face-to-face supervision for each 10 hours of client contact (Wis. Admin. Code ch. MPSW 16). Documented on the Supervised Practice Experience Form #2574.
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB National MFT Examination and the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules examination (85% to pass).
  4. ApplicationApply through LicensE (MFT License-Exam Key Steps, Form #12401) with transcripts, the supervised-practice form (#2574), and the AMFTRB and jurisprudence results. A 9-month temporary license is available to exam applicants who have met all other requirements.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
LP

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) — EPPP Part 1; effective Jan. 1, 2026 the EPPP consists of two parts (knowledge-based Part 1 and skills-based Part 2). PLUS a Wisconsin jurisprudence exam (computer-based Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code examination), passing score 80%.

Scope: Wisconsin’s doctoral-level, full independent-practice psychology license, issued by the Psychology Examining Board, authorizing the complete scope of psychological services including assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy (Wis. Admin. Code ch. Psy 2).
  1. EducationAcademic training equivalent to a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution meeting the standards of Wis. Admin. Code § Psy 2.01 / 2.012.
  2. Supervision / experienceDocumented completion of supervised psychological work experience (pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral supervised experience) as required by Wis. Admin. Code ch. Psy 2, under a licensed psychologist.
  3. ExamPass the EPPP (Part 1; Part 2 added effective Jan. 1, 2026) — official ASPPB scores sent directly to DSPS — and pass the Wisconsin jurisprudence exam (80% to pass).
  4. ApplicationApply through the DSPS LicensE portal, submit official doctoral transcripts, supervised-experience documentation, verification of credentials held in any other jurisdiction, and the EPPP and jurisprudence results.

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). No separate Wisconsin state exam is required.

Scope: Wisconsin state license issued by DSPS (statutory authority adopted 2010) authorizing the practice of applied behavior analysis. Wisconsin defers to BACB certification to set the qualifications — there is no additional state education requirement or separate state examination beyond holding the BCBA. Renewed biennially on December 15 of even-numbered years (32 CE hours / 4 ethics per renewal, mirroring BACB).
  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; Wisconsin recognizes current, active BCBA certification as the basis for licensure.
  3. ExamPass the BACB BCBA Certification Examination (i.e., hold current, active BCBA certification). No additional Wisconsin examination is required.
  4. ApplicationApply online through the DSPS LicensE portal (license.wi.gov). The BACB must send a Request for Verification of Certification (Form #2890) directly to DSPS confirming active BCBA certification.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

Wisconsin licensing portals & background checks.

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