Counselors in Vermont who have completed their licensure are known as Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs). The state’s premier professional organization for CMHCs is the Vermont Mental Health Counselors Association, a state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association whose purpose is “to provide support, advocacy, and education for mental health professionals statewide.”

Licensure for Vermont CMHCs is managed by the Board of Allied Mental Health, a division of the Vermont Secretary of State. Licensure requirements for counselors in Vermont, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal, and “licensure by endorsement,” 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 CMHCs in the state.

Licensure as a mental health counselor in Vermont requires the completion of a master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related field from an accredited educational institution.

Appropriate degree programs will be at least 60 credits of graduate level coursework in mental health counseling or a related field, including three credits in five of the following core content areas:

In addition, at least three graduate credits in two of the follow content areas must be completed:

And three graduates credits in each of the following:

In addition to the coursework listed above, Vermont CMHC licensure also requires the completion of a 700-hour supervised internship or field experience as part of the degree program. This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for CMHC licensure in Vermont.

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“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. Vermont requires CMHCs to complete 3,000 hours of supervision in no less than two years. This must include at least 2,000 hours in direct client service, with the remaining hours in either continued clinical practice or related service. It should also include no fewer than 100 hours of face-to-face direction from the approved supervisor with at least 50 hours in an individual setting.

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CMHC licensure in Vermont (PDF, 335 KB) requires a passing score on both the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification, and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling 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 Counseling 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.

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Vermont CMHCs can expect to pay the following fees for their license, application and renewal :

CMHC License Application: $150

CMHC Biennial License Renewal: $200

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Vermont CMHC licenses expire biennially on January 31 of each odd-numbered year. New licenses issued within the 90 days preceding the expiration date will not need to be renewed. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

CMHCs in Vermont are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. At least four of these hours must focus on professional ethics, and the rest must be on the theory and practice of clinical mental health counseling.

CE hours may be earned through formal activities, such as graduate academic courses and institutes, workshops, seminars, and conferences approved by the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health. They may also be obtained through individualized learning activities (no more than 20 hours per period), teaching, consultation, and supervision.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. This process is called “licensure without examination”. Out-of-state applicants must submit proof of a valid and in good standing license. At the discretion of the secretary of the board, applicants from other states may be issued a license in Vermont if standards are substantially met without examination.

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Vermont counselors can expect to earn these average hourly and annual wages, according to the May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics :

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to Vermont CMHCs: 

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*Licensure information including requirements, 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