Licensure Information

The Iowa Department of Public Health Professional Licensure Bureau and their Board of Behavioral Science Examiners oversee the practice, licensure and continuing education requirements for all licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists.

REQUIREMENTS: The board will grant a license to all applicants who have satisfied the following specific requirements:

    1. Possesses a master's degree in counseling of at least 45 credit hours, or its equivalent from a nationally accredited institution or from another program approved by the board.
    2. Proof of at least two years or its equivalent of full-time supervised professional work following the completion of all coursework and the practicum. This must include the completion of at least 200 hours of supervision concurrent with 1000 hours of mental health counseling conducted face-to-face with individuals or groups. Supervision must be provided by a person licensed as a mental health counselor or with qualifications equivalent to a licensed mental health counselor, including mental health professionals licensed pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 147.
    3. Passes an examination administered by the board.
    4. Has not failed the exam within six months of the date of current application (marriage and family therapists)

Chapter 31 Iowa Licensure of Marital and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors

For further specifics or to request a copy of the law, contact:
Iowa Board of Behavioral Science Examiners
Iowa Department of Public Health, Professional Licensure
4th Floor, Lucas State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Phone: 515-281-6959



ATTENTION STUDENTS!
IMHCA membership is now free for students! Present a professor's signature for a free membership up to three years.

The Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association is a chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. IMHCA is the only organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the professional needs of mental health counselors in Iowa. Its sole purpose is to promote the profession of mental health counseling and the needs of our clients.

IMHCA is incorporated as a not-for-profit entity to serve the professional needs of Iowa mental health counselors under the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 504A.