Each state requires different forms of certification of licensure. Please check with the state where you are applying to see what is required before requesting certification from Idaho. Certifications can be obtained two ways from Idaho:
Q: If I move to Idaho, do I have to have a license certification?
A. Yes. You will need to contact the state board(s) where you are or have been licensed and have them send a license certification directly to the Board at cou@dopl.idaho.gov.
The following list includes web page links or other information regarding professional, educational, and governmental documents or entities that may be of interest.
For those seeking information regarding Drug and Alcohol Certification. Please contact the IDAHO BOARD OF ALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION (IBADCC)
AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION (ACA)
ASSOCIATION OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY REGULATORY BOARDS (AMFTRB)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION for MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY (AAMFT)
NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFIED COUNSELORS (NBCC)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE COUNSELING BOARDS (AASCB)
ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSELOR EDUCATION AND SUPERVISION (ACES)
IDAHO COUNSELING ASSOCIATION
These links need to go under the rules and also under the Code of Ethics & Documents Incorporated by Reference.
COUNSELOR AND CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR EXAMINATION
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) are now offered via computer at various locations around the country.
To register for the NCE or NCMHCE click https://www.cce-global.org/.
Q: How do I send my exam scores to the Board?
A: You may contact NBCC to request your test score to be sent to the Idaho Board of Professional Counselors.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY EXAMINATION
The exam is through the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
You must submit the Intent to Sit for the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination application, fee, and official transcripts showing the date the master’s degree has been conferred at least two (2) weeks prior to the AMFTRB application deadline for the exam which you are planning to take.
Information regarding the exam can be found by clicking the following links:
Q: What information should be on a Consent Form?
A: Please review the Informed Consent Guidelines.
Q: Will the Board issue a temporary license?
A: No. Temporary licenses are not issued.
Q: If I need more courses what should I do?
A: Determine which curriculum areas you need additional courses to fulfill and then you can determine which educational institution you want to attend. The rule requires the institution to be accredited: Rule 150.01.
Several Idaho educational institutions offer curriculum in counseling, in marriage and family therapy, and in mental health.
You may also wish to research online and distance education programs, remembering to ascertain that they are accredited consistent with the Idaho’s laws and rules.
Q: Will the Board pre-approve my courses before I apply for licensure?
A: No, the Board does not pre-approve coursework for licensure and will not review the course syllabi until a completed application including fees, official transcripts showing conferral of a degree in counseling, marriage and family therapy, or a closely related field, 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits, and official passing score from the National Counselor Exam (NCE) sent directly from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) to our office.
Some Graduate/Master’s counseling programs do not have CACREP (Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation, however a degree from one of these universities in fields without that accreditation does not necessarily mean you cannot be licensed. If you have earned a degree from a non-CACREP Accredited counseling graduate/master’s program, you must provide our office with the syllabus for each course in your program. The board will review the coursework to confirm that it meets the standards adopted and set forth by the Board.
Once all requirements have been met, then a Board Designee will review what you submitted to make a determination.
Please read through Rule 150.01(b)i-ix of Idaho Administrative Code IDAPA 24.15.01 for information regarding coursework requirements for licensure. If each course syllabus meets the requirements set forth in those eight areas of counseling education as well as an advanced counseling practicum, it may be acceptable to the Board, but they will still need to approve the coursework by reviewing each syllabus.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Please refer to Rule 425 for the CE Requirements.
AUDITS
The Board conducts annual audits to ensure compliance with the continuing education requirements. Audits may be initiated any time after you renew your license. By submitting your renewal and answering “Yes” to the question that you have met the continuing education requirements, you are certifying to the Board that you have already obtained proof of having completed the required continuing education.
When you are audited, you must submit a listing of all continuing education courses completed during the previous year and proof of completion documentation for each course. Failure to submit the required documentation may result in Board action against your right to licensure.
NAME and/or ADDRESS CHANGES
Please click on the following link to update your address online: Online Address Change
UPDATING YOUR LICENSE
** You will not receive a copy of your license/registration bearing the updated information until the next renewal period unless you submit the name change form along with the required documentation prior to renewing online.
INDIVIDUAL NAME CHANGES
The individual name that appears on your license/registration must be your legal name. If it is not, you need to update your record by filling out a Name/Address Change Affidavit and submitting it with the proper documentation (i.e., a marriage license, divorce decree, or court document noting name change) to the Division.
ADDRESS CHANGES
Every record at the Division contains two addresses:
1. Address of Record: This is the address that appears on your license/registration and is your business/public record address. You must have an address of record on file. If you do not provide an address of record, your mailing address will be used as the address of record.
2. Mailing Address: This is the address used by the Board and Division staff to send correspondence to you. This address is not a public record unless you do not provide a public record address.
If you have moved or changed either your Address of Record or your Mailing Address, you should notify the Division as soon as possible by filling out the Name/Address Change Affidavit and submitting it to the Division OR by updating the information ONLINE.
PHONE NUMBER & E-MAIL ADDRESS
The Division also maintains business phone numbers and e-mail addresses for those who wish to provide them. The business phone number you provide will be part of your public record. The e-mail address you provide will be used by the Board and Division staff to send correspondence to you. Your e-mail address is not a public record.
There is no fee required to update any of the contact information in your Division record.
Licensure Application Process
Idaho law requires the licensure of all persons who practice or offer to practice counseling and therapy in the State of Idaho. Licensure is also required for those engaged in clinical practice. The Idaho Board issues licenses for Counselors (LPC), Clinical Practice Counselors (LCPC), Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT) and Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (LAMFT). A license may be obtained through endorsement or examination.
All applicants must certify under oath that they have reviewed and will abide by the laws, rules, and ethics governing the practice of counseling and marriage & family therapy.
You may download Applications and Forms for this Board from the links provided below or they may be obtained by emailing the Board at cou@dopl.idaho.gov.
Forms:
MFT Associate and MFT Application
MFT Supervised Experience form
LPC EXCEL Worksheet for Supervised Hours
LPC Supervised Experience form
LCPC Supervised Experience form
LPC Supplemental Practicum Hours
COU MFT Intern with New Supervisor
Supervisor Registration application
Inquiry on Impact of Conviction Form Updated
Please complete your renewal application and payment of fees through the ONLINE renewal system. There are no additional fees for this service. Documents, if required, may be uploaded when you renew. If you have questions, please contact renewal@dopl.idaho.gov or 208-334-3233.
If you have not yet met the continuing education requirement, do not submit a renewal indicating that you have. Submitting a fraudulent application for licensure is grounds for discipline against your license.
For your license to remain valid, it must be renewed before the expiration date each year. Remember that you must have an active license to practice in the state of Idaho.
As a courtesy, license renewal reminders are mailed to your mailing address of record approximately six (6) weeks before the license expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal notice, you can still renew online and update your address if needed. You are responsible to timely renew your license whether or not you receive a renewal notice.
Please note: If you fail to renew your license before its expiration date a reinstatement fee will be required by Idaho Code 67-2614 and cannot be waived. In addition, you may be required to submit continuing education or other required documentation prior to the reinstatement of your license.
EXPIRED LICENSE
Q: I have let my license lapse, what must I do to activate that license?
A: A license that has been lapsed less than five years may be reinstated upon submission of a renewal application together with the payment of renewal fees, a license re-instatement fee, and proof of completion of continuing education as required in the rules. If a license has lapsed for more than five years, a new application for licensure is required.
Please contact us with any questions via email cou@dopl.idaho.gov or phone (208) 334-3233.
Name | Position | Expiration | Original Appointment |
---|---|---|---|
Anna J Krzemieniecki | Counselor/Educator | July 1, 2024 | January 15, 2023 |
Spencer Zitzman | Marriage/Family Therapist | July 1, 2023 | July 22, 2019 |
Lea K Williams | Counselor | July 1, 2026 | July 1, 2014 |
Dennis M. Baughman | LCPC | July 1, 2025 | September 29, 2015 |
Theresa Ann Bradford | Public Member | July 1, 2026 | July 20, 2022 |
Tami S. Kammer | LCPS/LMFT | July 1, 2025 | July 17, 2017 |
To make an online disciplinary actions payment, please click here.
Click here for a list of approved supervisors.
Q: Am I required to have a written supervision contract with my supervisees before initiating supervision?
A: The ACA code of ethics and the AAMFT code of ethics do not mandate a formal, written supervision contract. Both codes do specify what information should be shared with your supervisees prior to beginning supervision. The Idaho Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists strongly encourages supervisors to utilize a formal, written supervision contract. (Please refer to the Approved Supervisor Designation Standards and Responsibility Handbook pages 43-45). Although not a complete listing, elements that supervisors may wish to include in a contract are:
Q: For the LMFT, do the required 200 hours of supervision count towards my 3,000 post-graduate hours?
A: Yes, the 200 hours of supervision can be counted towards the 3,000 hours.
COUNSELOR AND CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR EXAMINATION
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) are now offered via computer at various locations around the country.
To register for the NCE or NCMHCE click https://www.cce-global.org/.
Q: How do I send my exam scores to the Board?
A: You may contact NBCC to request your test score to be sent to the Idaho Board of Professional Counselors.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY EXAMINATION
The exam is through the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).
You must submit the Intent to Sit for the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination application, fee, and official transcripts showing the date the master’s degree has been conferred at least two (2) weeks prior to the AMFTRB application deadline for the exam which you are planning to take.
Information regarding the exam can be found by clicking the following links:
The following list includes web page links or other information regarding professional, educational, and governmental documents or entities that may be of interest.
For those seeking information regarding Drug and Alcohol Certification. Please contact the IDAHO BOARD OF ALCOHOL/DRUG COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION (IBADCC)
AMERICAN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION (ACA)
ASSOCIATION OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY REGULATORY BOARDS (AMFTRB)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION for MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY (AAMFT)
NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFIED COUNSELORS (NBCC)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE COUNSELING BOARDS (AASCB)
ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSELOR EDUCATION AND SUPERVISION (ACES)
The license/registration issued to you by the Division is public proof that you are entitled to pursue certain activities regulated by Idaho Law. If your license/registration becomes lost or destroyed, you may obtain a replacement from the Division. A replacement may also be requested if you have changed your name or address and wish to receive a license/registration bearing the updated information.
You may complete the Application for Duplicate License form online, print it out and sign it, and send it with the fee required by Idaho law to the Division. Your application will not be processed unless the fee is received with the application. A replacement card will be sent to the mailing address.
If you have questions about a profession/board, please contact them directly.