Originally presented at the Wisconsin Counseling Association Annual
Summit – November 5, 2011
First thing first …
• Spring 2011 (transition in WI Administration)
official name change from Department of
Regulation and Licensing (DRL) to Department of
Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) http://drl.wi.gov/
• The Professional Counselor section is actually one
section of a larger DSPS entity – Marriage and
Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and
Social Work Board
Navigating the Licensure
Application Process
• In 2005, a training license became a requirement for
those accruing 3000hrs and pursuing Licensed Professional
Counselor status in Wisconsin.
• T or F – Once I graduate and have appropriate
supervision, I can begin to accrue my 3000hrs even if I
don’t yet have my training license.
False!!! Practicing without a training license is considered a professional violation
and will result in a reprimand from the PC section. Any accrued hours without a
training license and a DSPS-approved supervisor will not be counted.
Knowing your program and what
DSPS will need from you …
• Be aware of the relationship your
institution has with the DSPS
Professional Counselor (PC) section
• Based on this relationship, there are
typically three scenarios for applicants …
Knowing your program and what
DSPS will need from you …
 Scenario 1: Graduation from a CACREP (Council for
Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs) or CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education)
accredited program:
 CACREP – UW-Oshkosh & UW Whitewater
 CORE – UW-Madison & UW Stout
• Submit Professional Counselor Licensing Application &
appropriate fee - Form 1962
• Submit Professional Counselor Certificate of Professional
Education Form (post graduation & certified by institution) –
Form 1960
• If a position is secured, submit Employer Form for Supervised
Professional Counseling Practice - Form 2456
Knowing your program and what
DSPS will need from you …
 Scenario 2: Graduation from a program that has pre-
approval status with the PC section
 Includes graduation from a community counseling or
clinical mental health emphasis from the following
programs:
UW – Stout
Mount Mary College
UW – Madison
UW – Platteville
UW – Milwaukee
Southern New Hampshire University
Lakeland College
Concordia University
Marquette University
Knowing your program and what
DSPS will need from you …
 Scenario 2 – continued:
 Submit Professional Counselor Licensing
Application & appropriate fee - Form 1962
 Submit official copy of transcript which confers
Master’s degree
 If a position is secured, submit Employer Form
for Supervised Professional Counseling Practice
- Form 2456
Knowing your program and what
DSPS will need from you …
 Scenario 3: Graduation from a program that is not CACREP or
CORE accredited and does not have pre-approval status with
the PC section:
 Submit Professional Counselor Licensing Application &
appropriate fee - Form 1962
 Submit Professional Counselor Curriculum Requirements
Form - Form 2239
 Submit official copy of transcript which confers Master’s
degree
 Submit course descriptions from institution’s catalog – in
certain instances, the PC section may need to review syllabi
for certain courses
 If a position is secured, submit Employer Form for Supervised
Professional Counseling Practice - Form 2456
Moving forward …
• Again, make sure that you have your training
license and an approved supervisor before
accruing hours
• Bear in mind that if your education is not
approved by the PC section, then your supervisor
form (2456) will not be approved until education
requirements are completed
• T or F – I need to pass the WI Statute and Rule
Exam and a national exam (e.g., NCE or
NCMHCE) before I can obtain my training license
False. However, you will need to pass the WI
Statutes and Rule Exam and a national exam
(e.g., NCE or NCMHCE ) in order to eventually
receive status as an LPC in Wisconsin.
And along your journey …
• Keep close track of your hours as you are moving
toward your LPC (remember, you’ll need 3000 supervised
hrs total, 1000 of these need to be face-to-face client
contact)
• Ensure that you are practicing under professional liability
insurance
• Pass the WI Statute & Rule Exam (on-line) and a national
exam (NCE or NCMHCE)
• Keep DSPS updated if there is a change in your status, or if your supervisor
changes
• This can also be a time for more specific skill enhancement or certification
(e.g., AODA specialization, CBT training, EMDR training, etc.)
• If looking to move out of Wisconsin, be sure to check with the licensing
boards of projected state/s – you may need additional education/coursework
Pitfalls of the Profession
 Practicing beyond one’s expertise or “scope of practice”
 Boundary violations or abuses of counselor power (e.g.,
forming inappropriate relationships with clients)
 Serving with an impairment that affects one’s work (e.g.,
AODA issues)
 Not keeping paperwork/records up to date
 Not completing appropriate CEHs (continuing education
hours) for license renewal period (for LPC , 30 CEHs for
every 2-year renewal … 4 of these hours in ethics and
boundaries
 Resource - ACA Ethics Hotline