Rhode Island Counselor License Exam
To get licensed in Rhode Island, Professional Counselors are required to take an exam covering such subjects as assessment and diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy, and administration, supervision and consultation. Whether you live in Providence, Warwick, Pawtucket or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your Professional Counselor’s license.
Need of a License: A license is needed to work as a counselor in Rhode Island. Licenses are granted by The Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists.
To qualify to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Rhode Island, the following must be met:
- Obtain a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school meeting credit limits.
- Meet supervised clinical experience requirements of 2,000 hours of post-graduate professional counseling, including at least 100 hours of supervision, in not less than two years.
- An applicant must earn a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
How to Apply for Licensure
An application for licensure can be obtained online. All documents must be sent to:
Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists
Department of Health
3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Telephone: 401-222-5960
Test content of the NCMHCE
The test format comprises of 12 to 14 case studies. Each case study is followed by 10 multiple-choice questions, divided into counseling phases: the intake and assessment phase, the first follow-up counseling session, and the second follow-up counseling session. Candidates will have one hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam.
Six different counseling domains will be addressed throughout these case simulations, to include:
- Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling Skills and Interventions
- Professional Practice and Ethics
- Core Counseling Attributes
- Areas of Clinical Focus, which is the given information provided in each case study
For more information, see the NCMHCE Candidate Handbook.
How to Apply to Take the Exam
Apply online to take the NCMHCE.
License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
To renew a license, regulations require 40 clock hours of continuing education in acceptable courses and programs offered by approved Continuing Education providers every two year license renewal period. At least 20 hours must be in Category I Continuing education, (formal education program attendance). 20 hours may consist of Category II continuing education, which is providing education or outstanding contributions to the field.
