Therapist licensing by state: LPC, LCSW and LMFT

Therapist license titles and boards in all 50 states and D.C.

The same level of license has different names in different states. An independent professional counselor may be an LPC, LMHC, LPCC, LCPC or LCMHC, depending on the state. Clinical social workers are usually LCSWs or LICSWs, and marriage and family therapists are LMFTs. Many states license two or all three professions through one combined board.

State notes: Alabama: Alabama social workers also need the social work board’s private independent practice (PIP) certification to practice privately. Idaho: Idaho also issues the LPC; the LCPC is the clinical counselor license. Illinois: Illinois also issues the LPC, which cannot practice independently; the LCPC is the independent clinical counselor license. Kansas: Kansas also issues the LPC and LMFT, which cannot practice independently; the LCPC and LCMFT are the independent clinical licenses. Maryland: Maryland’s independent family therapy license is the LCMFT. In Maryland the LCSW is not the clinical license; clinical social workers need the LCSW-C. Massachusetts: In Massachusetts the LCSW is a lower tier that cannot practice independently; the independent clinical license is the LICSW. Michigan: Michigan has no LCSW title. Clinical social workers hold an LMSW with a clinical designation. Nebraska: Nebraska licenses counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists under one mental health practice license. The independent level is the Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP); the level below it is the LMHP. New Mexico: New Mexico issues both the LISW and the LCSW; the LCSW is the clinical social work license for independent practice. The Social Work Compact lists New Mexico’s compact law as passed with material changes. New York: Many insurance plans in New York ask for the LCSW-R, a psychotherapy privilege added to the LCSW after additional supervised experience. North Carolina: North Carolina’s counselor license was formerly called the LPC. Ohio: Ohio’s independent licenses are the LPCC, LISW and IMFT. The LPC, LSW and LMFT are lower tiers. Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s counselor license is still often written LMHC. In Rhode Island the LCSW practices under supervision; the independent license is the LICSW. South Carolina: South Carolina’s clinical social work license is the LISW-CP; the LISW-AP is non-clinical. The Social Work Compact lists South Carolina’s compact law as passed with material changes. South Dakota: South Dakota’s clinical counselor license is the LPC-MH, and its independent social work license is the CSW-PIP (Certified Social Worker, Private Independent Practice). South Dakota does not use the LCSW title. Tennessee: Tennessee’s clinical counselor license is the LPC with Mental Health Service Provider designation (LPC-MHSP). Vermont: Vermont is reviewing its mental health licensing structure for the 2027 legislative session, so its boards and titles may change. West Virginia: In West Virginia, LCSW means licensed certified social worker, which is not the clinical license; the clinical license is the LICSW.

Counseling Compact: where privileges are available

The Counseling Compact lets a counselor with an independent license in their home state apply for a privilege to practice in other compact states instead of getting a full license in each one. It covers professional counselors only, not social workers or marriage and family therapists. Your home state, where you live and hold your license, and your client's state must both be issuing privileges. Applications go through the compact's CompactConnect system.

Issuing privileges (10 states, as of October 1, 2026): Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wyoming.

Joined, not issuing yet (29 states plus D.C.): Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Not members (11 states): Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas.

Social workers and marriage and family therapists

The Social Work Licensure Compact had been enacted in 35 states as of July 2026, but it is not issuing multistate licenses yet; the compact says setup takes 12 to 24 months after activation. Until then, an LCSW needs a license in each state where clients are located. There is no interstate compact for marriage and family therapists, so an LMFT needs a license in every state where clients are located.

Practicing in more than one state

For telehealth, the state where the client is located at the time of the session sets the rules. Each added state also needs credentialing with that state's insurance plans, Medicaid enrollment if you see Medicaid clients, and malpractice coverage for that state. Our guide to starting a therapy private practice covers this step by step, Medicare for LPCs and LMFTs explains Medicare enrollment, and POS 02 vs 10 and modifier 95 covers telehealth claims.

Sources and updates

Counseling Compact status is from the Counseling Compact Commission as of October 1, 2026. Social Work Compact status is from the Social Work Licensure Compact map as of July 2026. License titles and board links were checked on October 10, 2026. Licensing rules, titles and compact status change often. This tool is general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with the state licensing board before you apply or see clients.