Application Process for Initial Licensure as a Professional Counselor - FAQs

Sep 21, 2026

Application Process to Apply for Initial Licensure as a Professional Counselor provides a structured FAQ-style explanation of legal boundaries, licensing requirements, and compliance expectations. It clarifies that the Board and its staff do not give legal advice, defines what constitutes legal advice, and describes how independent clinical practice is restricted under Act 76 of 2018 without proper licensure. The FAQs also address teletherapy licensing considerations, endorsement and provisional licensing, supervision requirements, and where to submit online applications. Educational prerequisites and transcript submission are outlined in Pennsylvania-specific terms.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Frequently Asked Questions

Legal advice and definitions

Teletherapy and licensure in other states

Independent practice under Act 76 of 2018

Provisional licensure and endorsement

Online application and education requirements

Application Process to Apply for Initial Licensure as a Professional Counselor The Rules and Regulations can be located on the Board’s website at [www.dos.state.pa.us/social](www.dos.state.pa.us/social). These FAQs are not intended to substitute for reading the Rules and Regulations. Q: Are the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors (Board), Board Counsel and/or the Board Administrator and Board Staff permitted to provide legal advice? A: No. Neither the Board’s Act nor regulations confer authority on the Board to issue advisory opinions, provide legal advice to outside persons or entities, pre-determine whether or what type of authorization to practice is required in order to be able to lawfully engage in an activity, or otherwise pre-approve/disapprove specific conduct. If you have a legal question, you should confer with a privately retained attorney. Q: What is legal advice? A: Legal advice is any written or oral counsel regarding a legal matter that impacts the responsibilities and rights of the person who receives it. Legal advice includes advisory opinions and interpretation of statutes or law. Q: Can I provide teletherapy to clients in Pennsylvania or any other state? A: The Board does not currently have regulations on teletherapy. However, the Board does require licensure when providing services in the State of Pennsylvania. If the person is physically located outside of the state at the time the services are being rendered, you would need to contact the state where the individual is located. You can also check with your national association (ACA) as the Board does expect licensees to act in accordance with the code of ethics and practice standards of that organizations. Q: Does the Board issue a temporary license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania if Iam licensed in another state? A: No. Neither the Board’s Act nor regulations allow the Board to issue a temporary license to licensees from another state to practice in the State of Pennsylvania. However, if an applicant submits an application for licensure by endorsement under Act 41, they may be granted a provisional license at the discretion of the Board. Q: What is Act 76 of 2018? A: Act 76 of 2018 prohibits the independent practice of clinical social work, marriage and family therapy and professional counseling without a license as a clinical social worker (LCSW), marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or professional counselor (LPC) .“Independent practice” means that the individual 1) styles themselves as a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist or professional counselor; 2) regulates and is responsible for his or her own practice and treatment procedures; and 3) is not affiliated with any other practice, health care facility, government agency or government-regulated social service agency. Professional counselors in independent clinical practice who, prior to October 27, 2018, began actively working towards licensure as a professional counselor by accumulating the required 3,000 hours of “supervised clinical experience” as set forth in the Board’s regulations at 49 Pa. Code § 49. 13(b) are not considered to be engaging in “independent practice” and will be permitted to complete their experience requirements for licensure asa professional counselor and to obtain the professional counselor license. These professional counselors must have been receiving the necessary supervision by a supervisor who meets the Board’s regulations in “Qualifications for Supervisors” as outlined in 49 Pa. Code § 49.3 and the “Standards for Supervisors” as outlined in 49 Pa. Code § 49.14. These practitioners must continue to receive the required supervision until they are issued a license to practice professional counseling by the Board. Q: Did Act 76 change the scope of practice for professional counselors? A: Yes. Please review Section 3 of the Board’s Act which defines Practice o

FAQs

Does the Board or its staff provide legal advice?

No. The Board and its staff are not authorized to provide legal advice or issue advisory opinions. For legal questions, consult a privately retained attorney.

What counts as “legal advice”?

Legal advice includes written or oral counsel on a legal matter that affects a person’s responsibilities and rights. It also includes advisory opinions and interpretation of statutes or law.

Can I provide teletherapy to clients in Pennsylvania or another state?

The Board does not currently have regulations on teletherapy, but licensure is required when providing services in Pennsylvania. If the client or provider is physically outside Pennsylvania at the time services are rendered, you must contact the state where the individual is located.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair