Licensure as a mental health counselor in Utah requires the completion of a master’s or doctorate degree in clinical mental health counseling or counselor education and supervision from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Appropriate degree programs will be at least 60 semester hours in length and include coursework in each of the following areas for at least two semester hours:
- Professional orientation and ethical practice
- Social and cultural diversity
- Group counseling and group work
- Human growth and development
- Career development
- Substance-related and addictive disorders
- Psychometric test and measurement theory
- Assessment and testing
- Research and program evaluation
Additional coursework includes:
- Helping relationships for six semester hours
- Assessment of mental status for four semester hours
- Internship for four semester hours
Internship Requirements
In addition to the coursework listed above, Utah LCMHC licensure also requires the completion of an internship or practicum at least four semester hours in length. This must include a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training, of which at least 400 hours must be in providing mental health counseling directly to clients.
This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for LPC licensure in Utah.
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Supervision Hours
“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. Utah requires LCMHCs to complete 4,000 hours of supervision in no less than two years.
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Examinations
LCMHC licensure in Utah requires a passing score the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE). The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation, and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis, and treatment. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
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ACMHC and LCMHC Licensure Fees
Utah LCMHCs can expect to pay the following fees for their license, application and renewal:
LCMHC Application: $120
Associate CMHC Application: $85
LCMHC Biennial License Renewal: $93
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LCMHC License Renewal
Utah LCMHC licenses expire biennially on September 30 of each even-numbered year. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.
Continuing Education
LCMHCs in Utah are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal cycle. At least six of these hours must focus on ethics and laws governing professional counseling. A maximum of 10 hours per cycle can be obtained through teaching, supervision, distance learning, clinical readings, and Internet-based courses. Up to 10 hours of excess can be carried over and applied to the next renewal term.
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Additional Information
For Counselors Licensed in Other States
The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. This process is called “licensure by endorsement”. Out-of-state applicants must submit an application, pay appropriate fees, provide proof of an active and in good standing license, submit documented clinical counseling hours of at least 4,000 with 1,000 in mental health therapy, pass specific jurisprudence examination, and prove a passing score on the NCMHCE.
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Average Counselor Salary in Utah
Utah counselors can expect to earn these average hourly and annual wages, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Average Counselor Salary in Utah
| Type of Counselor |
Average Hourly Wage |
Average Annual Wage |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors |
$20.71 |
$43,070 |
| Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors |
$23.27 |
$48,400 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists |
$23.13 |
$48,100 |
| Mental Health Counselors |
$29.37 |
$61,080 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors |
$23.02 |
$47,880 |
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Utah Counseling Scholarships
The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to Utah LCMHCs:
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: $5,000
- Description: This award from the American Psychological Foundation is available to one full-time graduate student in good standing at an accredited university who has demonstrated a commitment to stigma issues.
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: $2,500 to $5,000
- Description: American Addiction Centers offers three scholarships providing financial assistance to full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in behavioral health and addiction-related studies, including counseling.
- Type: Loan Repayments
- Amount: Between $30,000 and $50,000
- Description: LCMHCs in Utah are eligible to apply for loan repayment assistance in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) at a site approved by the National Health Service Corps. Funding is tied to HPSA score and is in exchange for two years of full- or half-time service.
- Type: Scholarships
- Amount: To Be Decided
- Description: The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funds to schools, which in turn offer scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are studying professional counseling, amongst other health professions.
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*Licensure information including requirements, renewals, and fees were retrieved as of May 2017. Information may have changed since, check with the state's board of licensing for more information.
