Rehabilitation Counseling - Licensure

Rehabilitation counselors completing specified courses in their master’s program are eligible to apply for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in the State of Oregon. The licensure statutes can be found online at www.oblpct.state.or.us. These statutes outline requirements for: a) education, b) exam, and c) post-master's experience under supervision. Please read, print, and keep a copy for your records.

Currently, the licensure board does not allow applicants to take a state exam until the applicant meets the three-year post-master's experience requirements. The state licensing board does recognize a satisfactory score from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Because PSU is CACREP accredited, the NBCC allows students to apply for and take the national exam prior to graduation. Therefore, many of you may want to take the exam at the time you are completing your program of studies. Please note that NBCC requires a minimum of five-quarter hours in eight of 10 categories.

When PSU's Department of Counselor Education was approved by the state licensing board, the following provision was made:

Graduates completing the master's degree program will be allowed to utilize the direct clinical service hours documented in their master's program toward the 2,400 clock hours required for licensure. The NCC credential now requires 2,400 clock hours of experience.