LPCC Preparation Information - Steps to Become an LPCC - Application, Exams, and Internship Requirements

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Mack Lee

Informational packet outlining how the Department of Counselor Education (EDCO) aligns its Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) program with California State law as verified by the Board of Behavioral Services (BBS). Covers key terminology, the practical benefits of LPCC licensure, and a step-by-step pathway: complete a 60-unit master’s degree, apply to become a PCCI, complete post-degree internship hours, and pass two required exams. Also details educational requirements, application submissions, exam sequencing, and internship experience hour breakdowns including supervision rules.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Terminology

How is being licensed beneficial?

Steps to become an LPCC

Educational requirements

Applying to become a PCCI

Exams

Internship requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Memberships/Networking

The Department of Counselor Education (EDCO) has been reviewed and accepted by the Board of Behavioral Services (BBS) verifying that our program is in compliance with California State law. In this informational packet, you will find: • Terminology • How is being licensed beneficial? • Steps to become an LPCC • Educational Requirements • Applying to become a PCCI (post-graduation) • Exams • Internship Requirements • Frequently Asked Questions • Memberships/Networking TERMINOLOGY • LPCC – Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor • PCCI – Professional Clinical Counselor Intern • Practicum – Supervised counseling (fieldwork) completed before degree (individual, group, families) • Internship – Supervised counseling completed after degree • Direct Client Hours – Hours spent face-to-face with clients • Indirect Hours – Hours spent not with clients; case management, supervision, completing notes, planning for sessions, communicating with other professionals about clinical work HOW IS BEING LICENSED BENEFICIAL? 􀁸 Broader scope of practice integrating socioemotional, academic, and career 􀁸 Can practice in a variety of settings including schools, mental health agencies, VA facilities, jails, private practice, hospitals, and many more; not where you practice it’s how you practice 􀁸 Eligible for jobs comparable to LMFTs, LCSWs 􀁸 Reimbursement by Medi-Cal and insurance 􀁸 Lends credibility to you as a mental health professional 􀁸 Competitive for jobs in medical and nonprofit sectors (provides job stability amidst budget concerns) 􀁸 Transferable between states (may need to take additional steps, but being licensed in one state often expedites licensure in other states) STEPS TO BECOME AN LPCC 1. Complete 60 unit M.A. degree through EDCO 2. Apply to become a PCCI 3. Complete post-degree Internship hours 4. Pass 2 Exams EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Minimum Requirements: 􀀹 60-unit Master’s degree 􀀹 Core Content Areas: o 13 Core Content areas (see advising form) o 10 Areas MUST be completed in degree program 􀂃 **232, 282, 283 MUST be taken in program; cannot be remediated** o All 13 must be completed before education can be approved 􀀹 Supervised Fieldwork: 6 units (EDCO 292); Minimum 250 direct client hours 􀀹 Advanced Coursework: 15 units 􀀹 Additional Content (covered in EDCO courses) MA with LPCC MA with LPCC + PPSC | Required Semester Units | • 60 | • 63 | | --- | --- | --- | | Core Content Areas | • See advising form | • See advising form | | Supervised Fieldwork
• Minimum 6 semester units
• Minimum 280 direct client hours | • 292, 292 | • 292, 292, 292 | | Advanced Coursework
Minimum 15 units | • Required: EDCO 218, 248, 298
• Select 2 more from the following: 227, 244/280, 267, 286, 287, 289 | • Required: 218, 248, 227, 287, 298 | APPLYING TO BECOME A PCCI 1. Once you have completed the Master’s degree (and your degree is posted on your transcript), you are eligible to apply for your PCCI number. See the Professional Clinical Counselor Intern (PCCI) Application Packet: [http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lpc/pci_app.pdf](http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lpc/pci_app.pdf) 2. Submit to Dr. Maffini: • Completed Advising Form • Form B (pp. 18-19 in PCCI packet) o If completed all coursework in EDCO: 􀂃 For \#1-3, 4a-e, check ‘yes’ on all boxes 􀂃 Leave question \#5 empty o If completed 1-3 courses outside of EDCO: 􀂃 For \#1-3, check ‘yes’ 􀂃 On box 4b, check ‘no’ 􀂃 On \#5 ‘Core Content Areas’, write in what course(s) you took outside of EDCO. Check‘yes’ on all other boxes. o Email Dr. Maffini with questions before you submit • Transcript(s) --include SJSU and any other transcripts if you took classes at other institutions. 3. Submit to BBS: [http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lpc/pci_app.pdf](http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/lpc/pci_app.pdf) • PCCI Application (pp. 11-13) • Official transcript(s) • Fingerprinting (pp. 22-26) •

FAQs

What are the key terms used in the LPCC preparation packet?

The packet defines LPCC, PCCI, practicum, internship, direct client hours, and indirect hours. It distinguishes supervised counseling done before and after the degree and clarifies which activities count toward client-facing time.

What are the main steps to become an LPCC?

Complete a 60-unit M.A. degree through EDCO, apply to become a PCCI, complete post-degree internship hours, and pass two exams. The packet also notes that you must pass the CA Law & Ethics exam before taking the NCMHCE.

How do internship requirements and hour limits work for the PCCI?

Total required internship experience is 3,000 hours, including minimum direct counseling hours and capped hours for certain modalities. It also states supervision requirements based on weekly hour totals and a maximum of 40 hours of work experience per week.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Mack Lee