Maine splits clinical licensure into two steps. The NCE earns the conditional clinical licence (XL); to reach the full Clinical Professional Counselor licence (LCPC), the Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure also requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). In between, you hold the conditional licence for at least two years while completing 3,000 supervised hours.
- Is the NCMHCE required in Maine?
- Yes, for the full clinical licence. Maine’s board lists the NCMHCE as required for the Clinical Professional Counselor (CC) and the Pastoral Counselor licences, and the CC requires passing scores on both the NCE and the NCMHCE. The NCE alone covers the conditional licences and the non-clinical Professional Counselor licence.
- How many supervised hours does Maine require?
- 3,000 hours of supervised clinical counseling over at least two years after your degree, including at least 1,500 direct clinical contact hours and 100 hours of clinical supervision, at least 50 of them individual. If your graduate internship was 600 to 899 hours rather than 900, the rules raise this to 4,000 hours, 2,000 direct and 150 of supervision.
- How long do I stay on the conditional licence?
- At least two years. The board states that applicants moving from the conditional licence (XL) to the full CC must hold it for at least two years while gaining the required supervised experience and supervision hours.
- What degree does Maine require?
- A graduate counseling degree of at least 60 credit hours, either CACREP-accredited or covering the core and additional study areas in the board’s rules, plus a clinical counseling internship of at least 600 clock hours. A doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited program also qualifies.
- What does it cost, and how do I apply?
- A $200 licence application fee plus a $21 criminal history check fee for initial licensure, and a $200 renewal fee. You apply online through the state’s licensing portal, using the Apply for a License link on the board’s page.