As in many other states, licensed counselors in Oregon are known as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and counselors still in the supervision portion of the licensure process are known as Registered Interns.

The state’s premier professional organization for LPCs is the Oregon Counseling Association, which was first organized in 1947 as the Oregon Personnel and Guidance Association for the express purpose of serving and supporting professional counselors in their work. Licensure for LPCs in Oregon is managed by the state Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, whose mission is to “assist the public by identifying and regulating the practice of qualified mental health counselors.”

Licensure requirements for counselors in Oregon, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal and “licensure by reciprocity,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to aspiring LPCs in the state.

Licensure as a professional counselor in Oregon requires the completion of a graduate degree in counseling from a program approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or the Council on Rehabilitation Education or a program meeting equivalent standards.

Appropriate degree programs will be at least 60 semester credit hours in length, including at least two semester credit hours of coursework in:

In addition to the coursework listed above, LPC licensure in Oregon also requires the completion of a clinical/applied experience, sometimes referred to as an internship. This internship should consist of at least 700 clock hours with 280 hours in direct client contact. This is a distinct requirement from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for LPC licensure in Oregon.

“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. Oregon requires aspiring LPCs to complete 2,400 hours of supervision, with at least 50 percent dedicated to direct client contact.

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LPC licensure in Oregon requires a passing score on either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification, the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam. Additionally, aspiring LPCs must also pass the Oregon Laws and Rules Exam.

National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)

The NCE is a 200-question, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills and abilities in effective counseling services.

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)

The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis and treatment. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Exam

The CRC Exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions across 10 subjects underlying rehabilitation counseling. One portion of the exam tests knowledge regarding counseling, while the other pertains to rehabilitation and disability issues. It is administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

Oregon Laws and Rules Exam

Administered online by the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists, the Laws and Rules Exam consists of 28 true-or-false, multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions. It is graded on a pass-fail basis, with at least 23 questions being answered correctly to pass.

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LPCs in Oregon can expect to pay the following fees for their application, license and renewal:

LPC Application: $175

LPC License: $125

LPC License Renewal: Active status license $165 or Inactive status license $100

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LPC licenses in Oregon expire annually. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

Oregon LPCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year “reporting period”. That amount is prorated to 20 hours for licenses issued between 12 and 23 months before the reporting date, and is completely waived for licenses issued less than 12 months before the reporting date.

At least six hours of CE focusing on ethics are required for every reporting period. The remaining hours may focus on any core content areas. CE hours may be obtained through attendance of college or university courses, seminars, workshops, conferences, training and home study. Up to 20 CE hours per period may be earned through publication, professional presentations and leadership.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. This process is called “licensure by reciprocity”. Generally, applicants from another state must submit proof that their license is active and that their preparation for licensure is similar to the requirements set forth by the state of Oregon.

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The following types of counselors in Oregon can expect to earn the respective average hourly and average annual wages, according to May 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring LPCs and Registered Interns in Oregon:

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*Licensure information including requirements, salaries, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of May 2022. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.

Last Updated: May 2022