Licensed Mental Health Counselor (professional counselor) · Hawaii · regulated by Hawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Mental Health Counselors Program (no board; director-administered) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Associate Mental Health Counselor (provisional license, since July 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | not less than three thousand hours of post-graduate experience in the practice of mental health counseling |
| Supervision | 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision |
| Minimum time | 2 years |
| Time limit | 4 years |
| Exams | NCE |
Supervision
- How much: 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision
- Who may supervise: LMHC, psychologist, LCSW, psychiatric APRN, LMFT, or psychiatrist; Hawaii-licensed and in good standing for associates
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted (post-graduate); separate 300-hour practicum is an education requirement
- Paperwork: Post-Graduate Verification Form (MHC-04, notarized, by supervisor, with duty summary); associates: MHCP-01 application, MHCP-02 practicum and MHCP-03 post-graduate verification (new form when supervisor changes)
Can you be supervised remotely in Hawaii?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Applicant, in collaboration with the supervisor, may take some or all of the 100 h face-to-face supervision by HIPAA-compliant videoconference; applicant must first review other states' rules on electronic supervision.
- In-person minimum: none (some or all by video)
- Supervisor licensed in Hawaii? required for associates (Hawaii-licensed clinical supervisor in good standing with DCCA); hours earned outside Hawaii need no Hawaii provisional license
- Supervisor credential: None beyond license (LMHC, psychologist, LCSW, psych APRN, LMFT or psychiatrist).
- Board approval first: Provisional license names the supervisor (form MHCP-03, notarized); changing supervisors needs a new form before the old relationship ends or the license goes inactive.
- If you live outside Hawaii: Post-graduates earning experience outside Hawaii need no provisional license; no rule on a Hawaii associate physically outside Hawaii.
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Act 93 (SLH 2024) created the associate provisional license effective July 1, 2026 and removed the 'mental health counselor intern' exemption. Pre-July 2026 supervised hours still count.
In the board’s own words
“Completion of not less than three thousand hours of post-graduate experience in the practice of mental health counseling, with one hundred hours of face-to-face clinical supervision” — HRS § 453D-7(a)(2)✓ matched in the source
“shall be completed in no less than two years and in no more than four years” — HRS § 453D-7(a)(2)✓ matched in the source
“licensure is required for any individual who either uses a protected title ... or who engages in the practice of mental health counseling” — DCCA Associate MHC Provisional License FAQ (v5, 2026-07), Q21✓ matched in the source
“the applicant may elect to fulfill some or all of the supervision requirements through face-to-face supervision that is conducted electronically through a videoconference service” — HRS §453D-7(a)(2)✓ matched in the source
“may elect to fulfill some or all of the supervision requirements through face-to-face supervision that is conducted electronically” — HRS §453D-7(a)(2)✓ matched in the source
“remains under the clinical supervision of a Hawaii-licensed supervisor who is approved by and remains in good standing with the Department.” — DCCA PVL, Associate Mental Health Counselor Provisional License FAQs (v5, 2026-07), Q9-10, Q20✓ matched in the source
“licensed as a mental health counselor, psychologist, clinical social worker, advanced practice registered nurse with a specialty in mental health, marriage and family therapist” — HRS §453D-7.5(a)-(b) (eff. July 1, 2026)✓ matched in the source
“Each provisional license issued pursuant to this section shall include the name and title of the licensed clinical supervisor” — HRS §453D-7.5(a)-(b) (eff. July 1, 2026)✓ matched in the source
“Post-graduates obtaining experience outside of Hawaii are not required to obtain provisional licensure.” — DCCA PVL, Associate Mental Health Counselor Provisional License FAQs (v5, 2026-07), Q9-10, Q20✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Hawaii
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Hawaii licenses · every state
Sources
- HRS § 453D-7 (Application for licensure as a mental health counselor)
- HRS § 453D-7.5 (Provisional license for associate MHCs, eff. July 1, 2026)
- HRS §§ 453D-1, 453D-6 (definitions; exemptions as of July 1, 2026)
- DCCA PVL, Associate Mental Health Counselor Provisional License FAQs (v5, 2026-07)
- DCCA PVL, Requirements and Instructions: Mental Health Counselor application (06.24R)
Checked against Hawaii DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, Mental Health Counselors Program (no board; director-administered)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.