How to Verify an LPC or LMHC License

LPC vs. LMHC: Title Varies by State

Mental health counselors hold the same type of license but are called different things depending on the state:

How to Verify: State Licensing Board Lookup

Every state maintains an online license verification tool. To look up a counselor's license:

1. Identify the state where the counselor is currently practicing (telehealth practitioners may hold multiple state licenses).
2. Navigate to that state's professional licensing board — typically a Board of Counseling, Board of Behavioral Sciences, or Department of Health subdivision.
3. Search by name or license number.
4. Confirm license type (LPC vs. LPCA vs. LCPC), issue date, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions.

Key State Licensing Board URLs

• Texas: Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors — dshs.texas.gov
• Florida: Florida Department of Health — flhealthsource.gov
• New York: NYS Office of the Professions — op.nysed.gov
• California: Board of Behavioral Sciences — bbs.ca.gov (California uses LMFT/LCSW, not LPC — check for LPCC)
• Illinois: IDFPR — idfpr.illinois.gov
• Pennsylvania: State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors — dos.pa.gov

NBCC National Certified Counselor (NCC)

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) offers the NCC (National Certified Counselor) credential, a voluntary national certification that complements state licensure. NCC holders have passed the NCE (National Counselor Examination) and maintain continuing education (100 hours per 5-year cycle).

To verify NCC status, use NBCC's public lookup at nbcc.org/search — search by name to confirm active status and expiration date. NBCC also offers specialty credentials:

• CCMHC — Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor
• MAC — Master Addictions Counselor
• BC-TMH — Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider

NPI Registry Check

Licensed mental health counselors who bill insurance are required to have an NPI (National Provider Identifier). Search the CMS NPI Registry at nppes.cms.hhs.gov and filter by taxonomy code 101YM0800X (Mental Health Counselor) to confirm the counselor's practice address and NPI status.

Telehealth Multi-State Practice

With telehealth expansion, counselors may hold licenses in multiple states. The Counseling Compact (launched 2023) allows participating states to issue a privilege to practice in other compact member states. If a counselor claims multi-state practice authority, ask for their compact privilege documentation or verify each state's board separately.

Red Flags

• Counselor lists "LPC-candidate" or "LPC-intern" — these are supervised pre-licensure titles, not independent licenses.
• License in a state where the counselor no longer practices — confirm the license covers the current state of service.
• NCC listed without active state license — NCC is a national certification but does not authorize independent practice; state licensure is required.
• Disciplinary actions visible on state board — look for reprimands, probation, or license restrictions.