Steps to Obtaining a Michigan Limited Counselor License
Step 1: Obtain the Application Materials
Visit http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch_couns_full_licpkt_83585_7.pdf for the application.
Step 2: Complete and Submit your Section of the Application
Complete the three-page “Application for Licensure as a Counselor” and submit it, along with the
appropriate fee, to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs office. As a new graduate, you
should apply only for the Limited Counselor License. On page 3 of the application, there is an item
asking you to “provide a description of your professional counseling experience.” This section should be
left blank. It is intended for later use when applying for the full (not limited) license.
Step 3: Identify a Supervisor
In order to obtain a limited license as a professional counselor, you will need to have a clinical supervisor.
According to Michigan law, this supervisor must hold the LPC license and have training in the function
of supervision. The name and license number of your supervisor must be included in your application
materials. This supervisor must provide you with clinical supervision from the very beginning point at
which you receive the LLPC until you either forfeit the LLPC or upgrade it to the LPC license.
Step 4: Prepare and Submit Professional Disclosure Statement
Michigan law requires that a licensed counselor furnish a Professional Disclosure Statement to all
prospective clients before engaging in counseling services. The online application packet will identify
specific content that must be included in this statement. Be certain that your statement includes all
required content. Among other items, you will see that this statement must include the name of the LPC
who will be supervising your 3000 hours of post-degree experience along with the following statement: “I
agree to supervise (insert your name) for the required post-degree counseling experience.” Additionally,
this statement must be signed by the supervising LPC and must also include his/her license number.
Step 5: Submit Fingerprints
Effective October 1, 2008, all applicants for a health profession license or registration in Michigan are
required to submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background check. Instructions are included in the
online application packet.
Step 6: Send Transcript
Arrange for an official transcript of your graduate education to be forwarded directly to the Michigan
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs from EMU’s registrar. Have the transcript sent directly
to the Michigan Board of Counseling at P.O. Box 30670; Lansing, Michigan 48909. To do so, go to
www.emich.edu/registrar/transcripts/. You can request a transcript on-line, by mail, or in person, but
EMU will not process requests by telephone or fax.
Step 7: Send Certification of Counseling Education Form to EMU
This two-page form is included in the online application packet. Complete Section I of the Certification of
Counseling Education form and forward it Dr. Ametrano, Counseling Program Coordinator. She will process
this form and forward it to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on your behalf.
Step 8 (optional): Send NCE Scores
If you have taken and passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE), arrange for the examination
agency to forward an official copy of your scores directly to the Michigan Board of Counseling at P.O.
Box 30670; Lansing, Michigan 48909. Passage of the NCE (or the Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification CRCC examination) is not required for the LLPC, but you will need it in order to
upgrade to the full license as a professional counselor (LPC) and can submit the scores now.
MAINTAINING A MICHIGAN LIMITED COUNSELOR LICENSE
Once you receive your LLPC, you must (a) post it in your office; (b) begin receiving supervision
from the LPC specified in your professional disclosure statement; and (c) begin furnishing a copy of
your professional disclosure statement to all prospective clients before starting to counsel them.
Also, in order to later apply for the full LPC license, you will want to maintain a log sheet
documenting (a) your counseling work experience and (b) your participation in clinical supervision.
If you haven’t already done so, you will also want to take the National Counselor Examination.
If you change your place of employment or your LPC supervisor, you will need to submit a revised
professional disclosure statement. Also, Michigan law requires that you notify the Department
within 30 days if your name and/or address changes. To meet this requirement, notify the Board of
Counseling in writing. To change a name or address, you can download the Data Change/Duplicate
License Request Form from the website www.michigan.gov/healthlicense and fax it to (517) 3732179 or mail the form to Bureau of Health Professions, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
Telephone calls are NOT accepted for these changes.
UPGRADING TO A MICHIGAN FULL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR LICENSE (LPC)
After passing the National Counselor Examination AND accruing not less than 3,000 hours of
professional counseling experience after receipt of the LLPC in not less than a two-year period – all
of which must be supervised by an LPC trained in the supervision and at least 100 hours of which
must be accrued in the immediate physical presence of the supervisor, you may apply for full
licensure as an LPC. You will need to reapply using the online application packet available at
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch_couns_full_licpkt_83585_7.pdf. This time, you will
apply for the “Professional Counselor Licensure by Exam.” At that point, you will also need to
document your professional counseling experience on your portion of the application and have your
LPC supervisor confirm this by submitting the Counseling Work Experience Form on your behalf.