As a Mental Health Counselor
Complete a Master’s degree from a program related to the practice of mental health counseling that includes a 1000 hour pre-master's practicum and internship and consists of at least 60 credit hours in the 11 required content areas.
Register with the Department as a MHC Intern by completing all sections of the Intern Registration Application which can be obtained by contacting the Board at Division of Medical Quality Assurance
Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3258
(850) 245-4474
Begin the two-years post-masters clinical experience in mental health counseling. Make sure to use the following guidelines:
· Two years’ experience is defined as 1500 direct client contact hours and 100 hours of supervision.
· The hours must be completed over two years, no less than 100 weeks (i.e. they may not be completed in one year, but may be completed in more than 2 years).
· These hours must be completed in a mental health setting where there is a licensed mental health counselor (or the equivalent) on staff.
· You must obtain supervision for this experience by someone who is a Qualified Supervisor (as defined by Rule 64B4) This person may or may not be on staff at place of employment.
· You must document one hour of supervision for every 15 client contact hours face to face psychotherapy).
· Fifty percent of supervision hours may be completed in group supervision (defined as a max of six persons) as opposed to individual supervision (defined as no more than two persons).
Complete an eight-hour Laws and Rules course and submit the original certificate of completion to the Board.
Complete a two-hour Prevention of Medical Errors course and submit a copy of the certificate of completion to the Board.
Complete an application for licensure.
Register for and take the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (given four times per year January, April, July, October). A Preparation guide can be ordered by clicking NCMHCE Preparation Guide Order Form.
*Everyone should obtain a copy of the current Laws and Rules governing the profession. These can be ordered from the Department or downloaded from their website www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa.
No. You can make an application to the Board for the exam as you near completion of your hours, however, the Board requires that you complete all requirements both education and experience before sitting for the exam.
No. You can take these courses anytime.
No, however, you may choose to take the HIV/AIDS and Domestic Violence requirements for initial Licensure while you are a registered intern.
No. Chapter 491.0045,F.S. requires that you register as an intern prior to commencing the post-master’s experience.