Complete Guide to LPC License Renewal
State-by-state CE requirements, approved accreditors, and how to find free CE for Licensed Professional Counselors, LMHCs, LCMHCs, and LPCCs.
LPC Renewal Requirements Overview
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) — also known as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHC), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) depending on the state — must complete continuing education to renew their license every one to three years.
CE requirements for counselors vary significantly by state, ranging from 20 hours per two-year cycle (Virginia) to 40 or more hours. Ethics CE is universally required, typically 2-6 hours (Neukrug et al., 2001). Unlike social workers, who largely have ASWB as a standard accreditor, counselors have more variation in which accrediting bodies are accepted: NBCC-approved providers are most common, but many states also accept APA, ASWB, NASW, and state-specific approvals (Kaplan & Gladding, 2011).
The proliferation of license titles across states (LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, LPCC, PLPC, NCC) can make it confusing to find applicable CE (Kaplan & Gladding, 2011). The key is to identify your specific license title and look up your state board's CE policy directly, confirming which accrediting bodies they accept.
CE Requirements by State (Counselors)
| State | License | CE Hours | Ethics | Cycle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | LPC | 24 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-yr | |
| California | LPCC | 36 hrs | 6 hrs | 2-yr | |
| New York | LMHC | 36 hrs | 3 hrs | 3-yr | |
| Florida | LMHC | 30 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-yr | |
| Virginia | LPC | 20 hrs | 2 hrs | 2-yr | |
| North Carolina | LCMHC | 40 hrs | 5 hrs | 2-yr | |
| Georgia | LPC | 35 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-yr | |
| Colorado | LPC | 40 hrs | 4 hrs | 2-yr | |
| Arizona | LPC | 33 hrs | 3 hrs | 2-yr | |
| Washington | LMHC | 36 hrs | 6 hrs | 2-yr |
Click any row for details. Verify with your state board before relying on this data.
Understanding NBCC and CE Accreditation for Counselors
What NBCC Approves
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) approves CE providers through its NBCC-approved provider system. NBCC-approved CE is accepted by most state counseling boards for LPC, LPCC, LMHC, and related license renewals.
NCC vs. LPC
The NCC (National Certified Counselor) is NBCC's national credential, separate from state licensure. Holding an NCC requires maintaining CE with NBCC-approved providers. Many counselors hold both an LPC and an NCC.
Free NBCC-Approved CE
SAMHSA, VA TRAIN, and many university programs offer free CE that is NBCC-approved. Always verify the NBCC approval before completing a course if your state specifically requires NBCC-approved CE.
Free CE Sources for LPC/LMHC Renewal
SAMHSA: SAMHSA's free training library at samhsa.gov covers substance use disorders, trauma, co-occurring disorders, recovery support, and crisis intervention. Many courses are NBCC-approved, making them directly applicable for LPC renewal.
Zero Suicide Institute: Free suicide prevention and risk assessment training, including ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and other evidence-based frameworks. Required or strongly encouraged by many state boards.
PESI and other webinar platforms: PESI, Psychotherapy Networker, and similar platforms offer periodic free live webinars with NBCC-approved CE. Subscribing to their email lists ensures you're notified of free offerings.
State counseling associations: Your state LPC association often offers free or heavily discounted CE to members. State association annual conferences are also a source of CE credit.
ACA (American Counseling Association): ACA members have access to free and discounted CE webinars throughout the year. Non-members can sometimes access free public webinars as well.
Key Renewal Tips for Counselors
Know your license title — LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, LPCC, and LAPC have different requirements in different states
Check if your state requires live/synchronous CE for ethics, or if self-paced is acceptable
NBCC-approved CE is the safest choice as it is accepted by most state counseling boards
Many states have added suicide prevention training as a standalone requirement in recent years
Keep certificates for at least 5 years in case of a random audit
Some states require jurisprudence exams at renewal — CE hours alone are not sufficient
Find Free CE for Your LPC Renewal
Search free continuing education courses for LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, and LPCC license holders, filtered by state and topic.
Search Free LPC CE CoursesDisclaimer: CE requirements change frequently and vary by license title and state. Always verify with your state licensing board before relying on any CE for renewal. CEHive is not affiliated with NBCC, ACA, or any licensing board.