How Do I Apply for a Mental Health Counselor Permanent License?

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

Proof of passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) of the NBCC. Exam scores must be sent directly to the Board office by the testing service.

Please Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2022, for a mental health counselor license, the NCMHCE of the NBCC.

Official transcripts conferring a master’s or doctoral degree.

• Graduates of Council for Accreditation of Counseling Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited institutions in mental health counseling. Degree must be in mental health counseling and transcripts must include the school seal, degree earned, and date of graduation. Transcripts must be sent to the Board office directly from the college or university.
  • Applicants that started their educational program prior to July 1, 2012, must have 45 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours
  • Applicants that started their educational program after July 1, 2012, must have 60 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours
• Graduates of Non-CACREP accredited programs. Degree must have an emphasis in mental health counseling and transcripts must include the school seal, degree earned, and date of graduation. Transcripts must be sent to the Board office directly from the college or university. The applicant is also required to contact the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE) to obtain a content equivalency evaluation and report. Applicants are responsible for the cost of the CCE curriculum evaluation. Expect up to six weeks for the CCE review to be completed after submission of CCE required materials.

If applicable, applicants that have previously been licensed, registered or certified in another state, the applicant must meet the following requirements.

1. Meet the requirements established in Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 481—891.2 or IAC 481—891.8; and
2. Submit official license verification for all states in which the applicant has been licensed. 

The license verification must include the following: 

• Licensee Name;
• License Number;
• Issue Date;
• Expiration Date;
• License Status; and
• Reference to Any Pending or Past Disciplinary Action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).