Mental Health Counseling Licensure

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Students who successfully complete all degree requirements for the MA in Mental Health Counseling program may apply for the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) credential in Indiana. The University of Indianapolis Department of Counseling supports a graduate’s LMHCA application by endorsing documentation of clinical hours completed during the program, provided that the graduate has kept and filed an accurate record of practicum/internship hours and experiences. The graduate must also pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) to be formally licensed by the State of Indiana. A master's-level counselor with the LMHCA credential is eligible for licensure to practice independently in Indiana as an LMHC following accrual of supervised clinical hours and passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam.

Graduates who apply for the LMHCA credential in Indiana must answer application questions regarding past disciplinary action related to licensure, previous denial of licensure, arrest record, criminal history, employment history (including suspensions, probations, and other disciplinary actions), and malpractice judgements. A national criminal history background check is also required for licensure in Indiana. For more information, please visit the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency Behavioral Health and Human Service Board’s website for Mental Health Counselors.

For questions regarding licensure, please email the Director of Counseling Programs, Michelle Itczak (itczakm@uindy.edu) or call 317-781-5356.

Licensing in Other States

By their request, graduates who wish to become licensed for practice in other states may be endorsed by the University as being examination/license-eligible in that state as long as the University of Indianapolis program requirements are consistent with the educational and pre-degree practicum/internship experiences in that state. Current students and graduates are responsible for obtaining copies of the counseling licensure laws and necessary application materials in states (including Indiana) where they might want to practice and for understanding their contents. Students should frequently check licensure requirements as state rules and regulations may change.

Finally, Verification of Education Forms that are typically included in the application packets in most states should be sent to the Program Advisor for the Department of Counseling.

Additional Licensing information

See the resources below for more information on obtaining licensure in your state:

• Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board in Indiana
• State by State Guide for Licensure as a Counselor