A Licensed Mental Health Counselor, or LMHC, is a mental health practitioner with specialized training in counseling. LMHC is a title used in seven states, including New York and Florida. Other states have their own equivalents, but educational and experience requirements can vary.
In Florida, the minimum requirements to become an LMHC include:
A master’s degree in an approved counseling program that includes at least 80 semester hours or 60 quarter hours of related coursework
At least two years of supervised experience after completing a qualifying degree program, which must include 100 hours of supervision and 1,500 hours of face-to-face counseling with patients
A passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
Additional coursework, including an eight-hour review of Florida laws and rules, three hours of HIV/AIDS training, and two hours of domestic violence training
To become an LMHC, students must master many different topics within counseling, ranging from family therapy to addiction treatments. In both addiction and mental health treatment programs, LMHC is the gold standard. The NCMHCE is thorough and complex, ensuring only those with the expertise and knowledge to succeed are granted this certification.