How to Become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Oklahoma: Step-by-Step Guide

A career as a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma looks promising with job growth projected at 24.5% between 2020 and 2030. The path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma takes about eight years of education and supervised experience. The commitment is substantial, but the career rewards make it worthwhile.

The Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (BBHL) oversees counseling licenses across the state. Your journey starts with completing a master’s degree in counseling or a related mental health field. Next comes 3,000 hours of supervised experience that must include at least 350 hours of direct client contact. This detailed training will give you the foundation needed for success in this field. Oklahoma LPCs can expect to earn between $42,000 and $60,000 per year.

Let’s walk you through each step of becoming a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma. We’ll cover everything from education requirements to licensing procedures and keeping your credentials current.

Types of Licensure in Oklahoma

The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is the main credential among several counseling licenses recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health. Your choice of career path in Oklahoma’s mental health field depends on understanding these license options.

Oklahoma LPCs can diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. They work in community clinics, private practices, hospitals, and schools, providing counseling interventions within professional relationships.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) focus on relationship and family therapy, and the Board recognizes this specialization. Becoming an LMFT requires a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.

The Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors offers two credentials to professionals interested in addiction treatment:

• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) – You need a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health or counseling and must complete a 300-hour practicum covering 12 core functions
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – A master’s degree in alcohol and substance abuse counseling or related field plus a 300-hour practicum is required

School counselor certification comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. You can pursue either a traditional path with a master’s in school counseling or an alternative path if you have a master’s in a related field or two years of counseling-related work experience. Many school districts now employ LPCs to help students with mental health needs as Oklahoma works to reduce the counselor-to-student ratio.

Job responsibilities stay consistent across different credentials even though requirements vary by state. Mental health counselors typically diagnose and treat mental disorders while working alongside psychiatrists and case managers, regardless of their specific titles.

Counselors moving to Oklahoma benefit from the state’s progressive licensure by endorsement provision. Your license from another jurisdiction will generally be recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health without additional academic review. You’ll need fingerprint cards, recommendation documents, an out-of-state verification form, official graduate transcript, proof of passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE), and a completed application.

Oklahoma doesn’t offer direct license reciprocity, but the licensure by endorsement pathway lets counselors with equivalent credentials apply based on their qualifications. All the same, you might need to provide extra qualification details if you’ve held your out-of-state license for less than five years.

Most out-of-state applicants must take the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination (OLERE) to show they understand local laws and ethical practices. You can practice with provisional or temporary licenses while completing the requirements during your transition period.

These various licensure pathways give you a solid foundation to plan your career as a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma.

Earn Your Degree

Starting your journey as a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma begins with the right education. The Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health sets specific academic requirements you need before applying for your license.

You’ll need a 60 semester credit hour (or 90 quarter credit hour) graduate degree in counseling from a regionally accredited college or university to qualify for an LPC license in Oklahoma. Your program should follow a structured mental health curriculum that prepares you for a counseling career.

The Oklahoma licensing board automatically accepts programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) without extra academic review. This makes CACREP accreditation worth considering when you choose your program.

Several Oklahoma universities have CACREP-accredited counseling programs:

• Oklahoma State University: Offers a Master of Science in Counseling with options in Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. OSU’s master’s graduates in mental health counseling have an impressive 95%+ hiring rate.
• University of Oklahoma: Provides a 60-hour Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that meets state LPC requirements.
• Northeastern State University: Features a 60-hour Master of Science in Counseling with three emphasis options: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, and School Counseling.

You can find other programs at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University, and Mid-America Christian University. Tuition costs vary by a lot between schools. Oklahoma residents pay about $290 per credit hour at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, while Mid-America Christian University charges $675 per credit hour.

Your counseling degree must include specific courses to meet Oklahoma’s license requirements. The core curriculum needs at least one 3-credit course in each of these areas:

• Human growth and development
• Abnormal human behavior
• Appraisal/assessment techniques (requires two courses)
• Counseling theories/methods (requires two courses)
• Professional orientation/ethics
• Research

You’ll also need to complete a practicum/internship with at least 300 clock hours of supervised counseling experience. This hands-on training helps you develop clinical skills under expert guidance.

The curriculum requires five elective courses (minimum 3 credits each) from areas like group dynamics, career development, social and cultural foundations, addictions counseling, crisis intervention, and marriage/family counseling.

Students typically finish their counseling programs in Oklahoma within 2-4 years, based on full-time or part-time attendance. Many schools offer evening or online classes that work well for professionals.

After completing your degree, check your transcript to ensure it shows all required courses before you apply for licensure. Your program supervisor must also fill out the practicum/internship verification form for your license application.

The best program for you depends on accreditation, location, cost, and format (in-person vs. online). Looking at program outcomes like licensing exam pass rates and job placement statistics gives you a good idea of program quality.

Get Licensed

Your journey to become a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma starts after completing your graduate degree in counseling. The Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (BBHL) guides you through supervised experience and licensing requirements.

The first step requires you to apply as an LPC Candidate. You’ll need to submit proof that you passed the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Exam (OLERE), along with your supervision agreement and on-site supervisor verification form. This candidacy status lets you start collecting your required supervised hours.

You must complete 3,000 clock hours of supervised experience, which usually takes three years. Each 1,000 hours of practice needs at least 350 hours of direct client contact. Your supervisor must provide 45 minutes of guidance for every 20 hours you work. Group supervision can make up no more than half of your total supervision time.

Your supervised experience should demonstrate your clinical practice through:

• Direct observation
• Co-therapy
• Written clinical notes
• Audio and video recordings

Two important exams stand between you and full licensure:

1. National Counselor Examination (NCE) – This 200-question multiple-choice exam tests your knowledge of counseling domains including professional practice, assessment, treatment planning, and counseling skills.
2. Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination (OLERE) – This one-hour jurisprudence exam checks your understanding of Oklahoma’s LPC Act and regulations. Oklahoma CareerTech administers this test.

The BBHL must approve you before you take these exams. After approval, you can register by paying a $275.00 fee. Pearson Professional Centers in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa offer testing during the first two to three weeks each month. You can also take the exam at any Pearson center nationwide.

The final licensing costs include:

• LPC License Application: $145.00
• Initial License: $90.00
• Examination fees: $100.00 (plus $55.00 for on-site OLERE or $70.00 for online)

Licensed counselors have bright prospects in Oklahoma. The state plans to join the Counseling Compact by 2026, which will allow you to practice in other compact states without additional licenses.

A criminal history shouldn’t stop you from applying. You can ask for an initial determination about potential disqualification before submitting your application. This request should include your criminal history record, explanations of convictions, current circumstances, proof of rehabilitation, and other relevant details.

Find Employment

Oklahoma offers many job opportunities to licensed clinical mental health counselors. The job market for mental health professionals remains strong, with positions available in cities and rural communities alike.

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) provides career paths in cities and rural areas. You’ll find roles in direct patient care, administration, information technology, finance, and support services. The state agency looks for Mental Health Technicians, Consumer Recovery Specialists, and Registered Nurses at facilities like the Children’s Recovery Center.

Private organizations also hire actively in Oklahoma. To cite an instance, LifeStance needs licensed mental health clinicians throughout the state. They offer telehealth-only positions that let you work from anywhere in Oklahoma. Edmond Counseling also advertises part-time and full-time roles for Licensed Professional Counselors, with both in-person and virtual session options.

Your salary as a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma depends on your employer and position type. Job listings show residential counselor positions pay between $70,000 and $80,000 yearly. Some telehealth providers pay licensed mental health therapists $95.00 to $131.00 per hour.

Benefits packages often include:

• Competitive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans
• Continuing education allowances
• Paid parental leave
• Retirement plans with employer matching

Jobs at HRSA-approved sites might help you qualify for student loan repayment programs. This benefit helps recent graduates with educational debt.

Remote work has revolutionized the employment landscape. Many organizations now offer 100% telehealth positions. Job postings show that telehealth clinicians can work from anywhere in Oklahoma while serving state residents.

The quickest way to find jobs is through specialized job boards and career sites. ZipRecruiter and Indeed list many clinical mental health counselor positions in Oklahoma. These listings include opportunities in Veterans Affairs, private practices, treatment centers, and correctional facilities.

Starting an independent practice requires knowledge of Oklahoma’s licensing regulations. The Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health requires all official documentation on their specified forms.

Remain Compliant

Oklahoma’s clinical mental health counselors must pay close attention to continuing education and renewal requirements. The Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure sets specific compliance standards that ensure professional development.

Licensed Professional Counselors should renew their credentials each year by June 30th. You’ll need to pay an $80.00 renewal fee through the Board’s online portal. The renewal submission window starts 60 days before your expiration date, which gives you plenty of time to get your documents ready.

Your LPC license requires you to complete 20 hours of counseling-related continuing education during each renewal period. Here’s what you need:

• Three clock hours in counseling ethics (must be face-to-face)
• LPC Approved Supervisors need three additional clock hours in counseling supervision
• The original renewal needs 40 hours of continuing education between issue date and expiration date

The Board accepts continuing education from several pre-approved providers. These include the American Counseling Association and its affiliates, the American Psychological Association, and programs from state or federal agencies responsible for mental health services. Some activities don’t qualify – like banquet speeches, organizational activities, and non-counseling content.

New license holders have different requirements for their original renewal. They need 40 hours of continuing education but don’t have a specific ethics requirement. Your continuing education documentation should show the hours earned and include your name, provider’s name, program title, date, and official signature.

Missing your renewal deadline leads to license suspension and you’ll lose all rights and privileges. You can get your license back by paying the renewal fee plus a $25.00 late fee and completing any missing continuing education requirements. Remember that licenses left unrenewed for over a year expire permanently and can’t be reinstated.

You might need some time off – that’s okay. You can put your license on inactive status with a one-time $25.00 fee. While inactive, you won’t need to complete continuing education or pay more fees. You also have the option to retire your license permanently if it’s in good standing.

Following these requirements helps you keep practicing legally as a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma.

Next Steps

Starting a career as a clinical mental health counselor in Oklahoma can bring both personal satisfaction and career growth. The Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential is the main path to clinical mental health practice, with several routes to licensure available.

Your path starts with a 60-credit hour graduate degree in counseling from an accredited institution. CACREP-accredited programs give you an edge since they automatically meet Oklahoma’s licensing board academic requirements. The next step involves completing 3,000 hours of supervised experience over about three years. You’ll also need to pass the National Counselor Examination and the Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Examination.

Licensed counselors have many job options in Oklahoma. State agencies, private organizations, and telehealth providers are eager to hire qualified counselors. Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $80,000 per year. The positions often come with detailed benefits packages and student loan repayment options.

Getting licensed is just the beginning. You must complete 20 hours of continuing education each year to renew your license. This includes ethics training that helps maintain high standards of client care.

The counseling field in Oklahoma shows strong promise with a projected growth rate of 24.5% through 2030. This highlights the growing need for qualified mental health professionals. While becoming an LPC takes dedication – about eight years of education and supervised experience – helping others overcome mental health challenges makes it worthwhile. Your skills will make a real difference in countless lives, whether you work in community clinics, schools, hospitals, or private practice across Oklahoma.