1 Am I Qualified to be an Illinois Licensed Counselor? Click HereClick Here to begin

2 Click on the highest degree you have earned? Bachelor’sBachelor’s Master’s DoctoralMaster’sDoctoral

3 Your highest degree is a Bachelor’s You are not qualified academically to be a licensed counselor in the state of Illinois. Work experience cannot be substituted for a degree. The minimum degree requirement is a master’s degree. For a list of Illinois schools offering a degree towards licensure go to

4 You have a Master’s or Doctoral Level Degree Is it a Master's degrees from a college, university or school recognized by the educational governing authority in the jurisdiction in which it is located. Doctoral degrees shall be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education ? YesNo

5 You do not have a clinical master’s or higher degree. You are not qualified academically to be a licensed counselor in the state of Illinois. To academically qualify you must earn a 48 semester hour clinical degree. Go to for Illinois schools that offer programs leading to licensure.

6 Is your degree from a CACREP or CORE accredited program?CACREP CORE YesYes No I Don’t KnowNoI Don’t Know

7 Is your degree at least 48 semester hours or equivalent and completed in no less than 2 academic years? YesNo

8 CACREP and CORE CACREP and CORE Accreditation define quality assurance for counselor preparation programs. To find out if your program was CACREP or CORE accredited during your program visit CACREPCACREP CORECORE Return to Question

9 You graduated from a CACREP or CORE accredited program You meet the academic requirement to become a licensed counselor in the state of Illinois Next step is meeting the Experience Requirement. Click HereClick Here

10 Your degree was less than 48 semester hours or equivalent You are not qualified academically to be a licensed counselor in the state of Illinois. To academically qualify you must earn a 48 semester hour clinical degree. Click Here for schools that offer programs.Click Here You can not take additional classes post master’s degree completion to obtain the 48 hours required. Changes to the licensure rules became effective 1/1/08. See section g (4). There are no exceptions or “grandfathering.” You may elect to obtain a different masters degree or a doctoral degree. licensure rules

11 Did your degree have at least ONE year residency defined as 24 semester hours of coursework taken in person? Yes NoNo (My degree was earned completely online) I Don’t Know

12 Defining Residency Residence requires interaction with faculty and other matriculated students. One year is defined as 24 semester hours taken on a full or part- time basis at the institution accumulated within the time frame and course of study of the program Click here Click here to see Rules

13 Online Degrees You are currently not qualified. Online degrees must have a one year residency in order to be accepted by IDFPR and the licensure board.

14 Did you complete 3 semester hours (or equivalent) in the 13 specific classes listed: Course Description List A. Human Growth and Development B. Counseling Theory C. Counseling Techniques D. Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling E. Appraisal of Individuals F. Research and Evaluation G. Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities relating to professional counseling, especially as related to Illinois law H. Social and Cultural Foundations I. Lifestyle and Career Development J. Practicum/Internship K. Psychopathology and Maladaptive Behavior L. Substance Abuse M. Family Dynamics If you have not taken the appropriate classes pre-graduation but have the appropriate minimum 48 hour degree you can take the additional classes at any graduate level program. List of Illinois Schools Course Description ListList of Illinois Schools YesNoI Don’t Know

15 You indicated you have completed the 13 core courses required for licensure You are academically qualified. Click here Click here to determine what license you qualify for based on your experience

16 You indicated you have not completed the 13 core courses required for licensure Currently you are not academically qualified but can make up coursework. The coursework must be at the graduate level. Visit for a list of programs under counselor training.

17 13 Core Courses A complete list of the 13 Course Descriptions can be found Online. Click HereClick Here to review a listing of them. Return to Question

18 Experience Requirements What is the degree level you earned? Masters Post Masters working on Doctorate Doctorate

19 Masters & Post Masters Have you completed the equivalent two years of full-time satisfactory, supervised experience working as a counselor in a professional capacity under the direction of a qualified supervisor subsequent to the degree earned? YesNoI don’t know

20 Doctorate Have you completed the equivalent two years of full-time satisfactory, supervised experience working as a counselor in a professional capacity under the direction of a qualified supervisor subsequent to the first degree earned? (Internships during your doctoral degree only may count towards professional experience) Yes No I don’t knowYesNoI don’t know

21 LCPC You are qualified to apply to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Click hereClick here to complete the written application required to be an LCPC.

22 LPC You are qualified to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Click Here Click Here to complete the written application required to become an LPC.

23 Definitions Click on the term you are unsure about: Two Years Experience Qualified Supervisor Type of Work Return to Question

24 Two Years Experience Two years of experience shall be a minimum of 3,360 clock hours obtained in no less than 104 weeks; including 1,920 clock hours of direct face- to-face service to clients. Part-time experience shall be counted toward the experience. See rules for complete wording under Section D: Click HereClick Here Return to Definitions

25 Qualified Supervisor A qualified supervisor means any person who is a licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist as defined in Section of the Mental & Developmental Disabilities Code. If supervision took place outside Illinois, the supervisor shall be a master's level or doctoral level counselor engaged in clinical professional counseling. The supervisor shall hold a license if the jurisdiction in which the supervisor practices requires licensure. See rules for complete wording under Section C: Click HereClick Here Return to Definitions

26 Type of Work Any work as a counselor in a professional capacity. Can be full-time, part-time, volunteer, etc. Can be accumulated over several years as long as it is done in no less than two years (104 weeks). See rules for complete wording: Return to Definitions