How to Become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Wisconsin: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Ready to start your journey as a clinical mental health counselor in Wisconsin? Your career prospects look bright. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn an average of $70,180 per year. Wisconsin’s counseling community thrives with 12,000 professionals working in major counseling areas. Mental health counselors make up the largest group with 5,570 professionals.

Licensed professional counselors in Wisconsin must complete several essential steps. This guide will take you through each one. The field continues to expand rapidly, and mental health counselors can expect an 18.5% growth rate through 2030. The counseling field offers many career paths and specializations. Rehabilitation counselors earn around $45,820, while educational counselors make an average of $66,620 yearly. You’ll discover everything you need to know about educational requirements, licensing processes, job opportunities, and compliance needs to begin your Wisconsin counseling career.

Types of Licensure in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) manages the state’s counseling licensure system. Learning about different license types is vital when you plan your path to become a clinical mental health counselor in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has several professional counseling licenses. Each license comes with its own requirements and practice areas. You’ll need a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) to work as a mental health counselor in the state. This license lets you provide mental health services across Wisconsin.

Your first step is to get a Professional Counselor Training License (LPC-IT). This starter license helps you build supervised work experience needed for full licensure. The license stays valid for 48 months. The Professional Counselor Section of the DSPS may extend this period if needed.

You can apply for a Temporary LPC License if you meet all requirements except the national exam. This lets you practice while waiting for your exam or results. The license lasts 9 months or until you pass the national exam, whichever comes first. You can renew it once for another 9 months.

The DSPS has a Psychometric Testing Endorsement for counselors who want to expand their practice. You need graduate-level education in specific areas like descriptive statistics, testing individuals with disabilities, reliability and measurement errors, demographic variables, validity and test scores, test administration procedures, normative interpretation, and appropriate test selection.

Wisconsin’s unique Clinically Trained Mental Health Professional License comes from the Department of Public Instruction. You need a master’s degree in mental health and a valid license as a marriage and family therapist, clinical professional counselor, or clinical social worker. This license isn’t for teaching or pupil services but allows clinical work in schools.

Licensed counselors from other states can get a Reciprocal License. You must show proof of a valid license in good standing from a state with similar requirements. Out-of-state counselors must also pass a Wisconsin Jurisprudence Exam about state-specific counseling laws.

Master’s degree holders must complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience, with 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact. Doctoral degree holders need just 1,000 hours of supervised experience.

The LPC license expires on February 28th of odd-numbered years. DSPS sends renewal notices about 30 days before expiration. Current renewal fees are $62.00.

These licensure paths lay the groundwork for your career as a clinical mental health counselor in Wisconsin. The process might seem complex, but each step moves you closer to your goals in mental health.

Earn Your Degree

A master’s degree in professional counseling or an equivalent field from an accredited institution starts your path to becoming a clinical mental health counselor in Wisconsin. The state recognizes two educational paths.

CACREP-accredited programs in specific specializations receive automatic recognition. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) also pre-approves programs after the Professional Counselor section of the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board reviews their curriculum.

Wisconsin has many CACREP-accredited and DSPS pre-approved programs. You’ll find these at Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, Mount Mary University, and Concordia University, among others.

Your degree must include at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of academic credit, whatever program you pick. The coursework requirements include:

• A supervised practicum with at least 100 hours of supervised experience and 40 hours of face-to-face client contact
• A supervised internship with at least 600 hours of supervised experience and 240 hours of face-to-face client contact
• At least 3 semester hours in counseling theory
• At least 3 semester hours in each area: human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group dynamics, lifestyle and career development, assessment and testing, research and evaluation, and professional counseling orientation

Programs offer different learning formats. Marquette University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has on-campus and online options that students can complete in about 21 months. UW-Parkside plans to launch both in-person and online options.

Program costs vary based on where you live and which school you choose. UW-Oshkosh’s tuition ranges from $837.50 per credit hour for Wisconsin residents to $1,661.17 for non-residents. Marquette University charges $1,015 per credit hour for all students.

Most students finish their counseling master’s degree in 2-3 years full-time. UW-Madison’s program takes two years with summer classes. Part-time options take longer but work better for professionals who need flexibility.

After graduation, you’ll submit documents to the DSPS. CACREP program graduates need their school to submit Form #1960 (Professional Counselor Certificate of Professional Education). Students from DSPS pre-approved programs must submit official transcripts that match their institution’s approved course grid.

The right educational program meets Wisconsin’s licensing requirements and prepares you for supervised practice experience. Programs often offer specializations in trauma counseling, addiction counseling, or child and adolescent counseling that help shape your career path.

Get Licensed

The licensing process starts right after you complete your counseling education. Your first step is to get a Professional Counselor Training License (LPC-IT). This license lets you build up the supervised experience hours you need for full licensure.

The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) requires a completed application form and a $62.00 fee to start your LPC-IT process. You must show proof that you have a position or an offer as a professional counselor in supervised clinical practice. Your school needs to confirm your qualifications by submitting Form #1960 (Professional Counselor Certificate of Professional Education).

You can start collecting supervised experience hours after your LPC-IT is approved. Your education level determines the requirements:

• Master’s degree holders: 3,000 hours of supervised professional counseling practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact
• Doctoral degree holders: 1,000 hours of supervised professional counseling practice

Your supervisor must meet the qualifications set by Wisconsin Administrative Code §MPSW 12.02 during this time. You can now complete the 3,000 post-graduate supervised hours in less than two years. The LPC-IT stays valid for 48 months and the Professional Counselor Section may renew it.

You must pass one of these national examinations to get full LPC licensure:

• National Counselor Examination (NCE)
• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination

On top of that, candidates seeking licensure through reciprocity need to pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Examination with a score of at least 85%. This online exam covers state statutes and administrative code chapters specific to the profession without any time limit.

Submit Form #1962 (Professional Counselor Licensing Application) with the $77.00 fee when you’re ready for full LPC licensure. Each supervisor who oversaw your clinical experience must provide documentation using Form #2464 (Affidavit of Applicant’s Competencies).

You can apply for a temporary LPC license if you’ve met all requirements except passing the national examination. This lets you practice while waiting for your exam or results. The temporary license lasts nine months and you can renew it once for another nine months.

DSPS’s online platform LicensE makes the application process smoother. The system has a status lookup tool that helps you track your application progress.

Your LPC license expires on February 28th of odd-numbered years once granted. DSPS sends renewal notices about 30 days before expiration. Each renewal needs 30 hours of continuing education during the two-year credential period, with at least four hours focused on professional ethics and boundaries.

Find Employment

The job market for clinical mental health counselors in Wisconsin looks bright, with excellent chances for new licensed professionals. Growth projections show a 19% increase from 2020 to 2030, which beats most other career fields. Wisconsin currently has about 6,840 mental health counselors, and there’s a steady need for new practitioners in settings of all types.

Licensed LPC professionals can look forward to roughly 770 job openings each year throughout Wisconsin. You’ll find work in a variety of settings like:

• Hospitals and outpatient mental health clinics
• Community mental health centers
• Social service agencies
• College counseling centers
• Private practices
• Correctional institutions
• Rehabilitation facilities

Mental health counselors in Wisconsin earn around $66,230 per year, though your pay can change based on where you work and what you specialize in. The state needs substance abuse counselors, geriatric counselors, and family therapists.

Wisconsin faces a serious shortage of mental health professionals in 171 Health Professional Shortage Areas. This means new counselors often get multiple job offers. UW-Stout’s data shows all their Clinical Mental Health Counseling program graduates find jobs within six months of finishing school.

The Job Center of Wisconsin helps you find positions like outpatient clinician, mental health crisis responder, and school counselor. Companies like LifeStance also hire licensed mental health professionals throughout Wisconsin, with both in-person and telehealth roles available.

Places like Behavioral Health Clinic and Golden Vibes Counseling often look for qualified counselors. They offer good benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and continuing education support.

Healthcare jobs will make up about 45% of all new employment in the next decade. This growth comes from Wisconsin’s aging population and better awareness of mental health needs. While many industries face worker shortages, the health sector keeps adding jobs steadily.

Your future looks promising as you finish the licensing process. You’re entering a field with strong demand, good pay, and a real chance to help Wisconsin residents live better lives.

Remain Compliant

Your Wisconsin counselor license needs regular professional development and compliance with state regulations. Here’s what you need to know about staying compliant during your counseling career.

Licensed Professional Counselors in Wisconsin must complete 30 continuing education (CE) hours every two years. You need four hours focused on ethics and professional boundaries in your practice area. New licensees don’t need to worry about CE requirements for their first license renewal.

The renewal deadline falls on February 28th of each odd-numbered year. You’ll get renewal notices from the Department of Safety and Professional Services about 30 days before this date. You must confirm completion of required CE within your LicensE renewal application.

Wisconsin accepts continuing education from many approved providers. Your CE hours can come from programs approved, sponsored, or endorsed by:

• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Wisconsin Counseling Association (WCA)
• Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Wisconsin recognizes several ways to meet these requirements beyond traditional CE courses. To cite an instance, you earn one CE hour for each hour spent presenting professional material. Development of professional materials also earns one hour per development hour. Teaching a semester-long educational course gives you 20 CE hours. Publishing a textbook or professional resource book earns 20 CE hours, while a chapter or journal article gets you eight CE hours (maximum 16 hours).

Wisconsin allows up to 15 of your required 30 hours from in-house training programs not approved by organizations listed in MPSW 19.03. This gives you flexibility to customize your professional development based on your practice needs.

Ethical standards become more crucial as your career progresses. Professional counselors must protect client confidentiality according to FERPA guidelines. You must keep accurate clinical and financial records that comply with HIPAA regulations.

Make sure your CE programs meet Wisconsin’s requirements outlined in MPSW 19. The Department doesn’t pre-approve CE courses, so you are responsible for choosing qualifying programs.

Your practice needs steadfast dedication to ethical standards. The Wisconsin Counseling Association, an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 2050), offers resources to help you meet these requirements.

Next Steps

Starting a career as a clinical mental health counselor in Wisconsin opens doors to rewarding work and great growth potential. This piece has shown you Wisconsin’s detailed licensure system, educational paths, and job opportunities for mental health professionals.

Your path starts with the right education—you’ll need a 60-credit master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited or DSPS pre-approved program. Once you complete your degree, you can get an LPC-IT training license to gain supervised experience. Passing the national exam leads to full LPC licensure, which lets you practice on your own anywhere in Wisconsin.

New counselors have excellent job prospects with a projected 19% growth rate through 2030. The average annual salary stands at $66,230, and about 770 job openings appear each year. You’ll find many ways to use your counseling skills in different work settings.

To keep your license active, you must focus on professional development through continuing education. You’ll need 30 hours of CE credits each renewal period, including four hours of ethics training. This helps you stay up-to-date with best practices and advances your career while improving client care.

Wisconsin’s many Health Professional Shortage Areas don’t deal very well with mental health needs. This creates plenty of opportunities for licensed counselors. By choosing this career path, you’ll meet a critical need and serve communities throughout the state.

Building a career as a clinical mental health counselor takes dedication and perseverance. The strong job market, competitive pay, and chance to change people’s lives make this profession worth pursuing. Now you have the knowledge to guide each step of your counseling career in Wisconsin with confidence.