Licensed Mental Health Counselor (professional counselor) · Indiana · regulated by Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board (Professional Licensing Agency) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LMHCA (Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least three thousand (3,000) hours of post-graduate clinical experience over a two (2) year period |
| Supervision | 100 hours of supervision by an LMHC or equivalent supervisor |
| Minimum time | no less than 21 months |
| Time limit | no more than 48 months |
| Exams | LMHCA: NCE; LMHC: NCMHCE (NBCC) |
Supervision
- How much: 100 hours of supervision by an LMHC or equivalent supervisor
- Who may supervise: LMHC, or equivalent supervisor: LCSW, LMFT, physician trained in psychiatry, psychologist, or psychiatric/mental-health clinical nurse specialist
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted — hours start after the date all master's requirements are completed; a doctoral internship may be applied
- Paperwork: Verification of Experience and Supervision Form for LMHC applicants (part of State Form 50319, pp.14-16): employer and supervisor sections
Can you be supervised remotely in Indiana?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Statute (2026 Code) lets up to 100% of the 100 supervision hours be "virtual supervision": HIPAA-compliant platform with synchronous visual and audio interaction. The PLA FAQ still says 50% (stale; see board_questions).
- Phone only: not allowed (telephone, email and text excluded from virtual supervision)
- In-person minimum: none (up to 100% virtual)
- Supervisor credential: None beyond license: LMHC or equivalent supervisor (LCSW, LMFT, psychiatrist, psychologist, psych/MH clinical nurse specialist); no board registration
- If you live outside Indiana: Hours earned in Indiana require an Indiana LMHCA license; rule silent on associates located outside Indiana
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
IC 25-23.6-8.5-4 last amended by P.L.130-2025. Indiana has enacted the Professional Counselors Licensure Compact (IC 25-42.5).
Where the rules are unclear
Indiana’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- PLA FAQ answer "Can I do my supervision by telehealth?" says up to 50% of post-degree supervision may be virtual, but IC 25-23.6-8.5-4(g) (2026 Code) and the current LMHC application allow up to 100% virtual supervision. The statute governs; the FAQ looks stale. Confirm with the board.
- Does IC 25-23.6-8.5-4(f)'s premises bar on independent private practice still apply when supervision is 100% virtual under subsection (g)?
In the board’s own words
“must have at least three thousand (3,000) hours of post-graduate clinical experience over a two (2) year period” — IC 25-23.6-8.5-4(b)✓ matched in the source
“The clinical experience must consist of one hundred (100) hours of supervision under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor” — IC 25-23.6-8.5-4(b)✓ matched in the source
“acquired over no less than twenty-one (21) months and over no more than forty-eight (48) months” — 839 IAC 1-5-1.5(a)✓ matched in the source
“if an individual is obtaining the post-graduate clinical experience described in subsection (b) in Indiana, the individual must be licensed as a mental health counselor associate” — IC 25-23.6-8.5-4(c)✓ matched in the source
“Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the supervised post-graduate clinical experience hours required under subsection (b) may be accounted for through virtual supervision” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
“All supervision may be completed either in person or virtual.” — Indiana PLA LMHC/LMHCA application packet (State Form, forms.in.gov id 5790), post-graduate experience instructions✓ matched in the source
“through an electronic platform that provides for synchronous visual and audio interaction in real time” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
“Virtual supervision does not include telephone calls, electronic mail, or text messages.” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
“Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the supervised post-graduate clinical experience hours” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
“the clinical work requirement may not be performed away from the supervising mental health counselor's premises if: (1) the work is the independent private practice” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
“the clinical experience requirement may be met by work performed at or away from the premises of the supervising mental health counselor” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
“obtaining the post-graduate clinical experience described in subsection (b) in Indiana, the individual must be licensed as a mental health counselor associate” — Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)✓ matched in the source
3 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in Indiana
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Indiana licenses · every state
Sources
- IC 25-23.6-8.5-4 (Clinical experience requirements), 2025 Indiana Code (IGA Article 23.6 PDF)
- 839 IAC 1-5-1.5 (Experience requirements for mental health counselors) (LII mirror)
- State Form 50319 (R12/3-25), Application for LMHC/LMHCA, pp.14-16 Verification of Experience and Supervision
- PLA Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Information
- Indiana Code 2026, IC 25-23.6 (behavioral health and human services), secs. 5-3.5 (LCSW), 8-2.7 (LMFT), 8.5-4 (LMHC), 7-1 board duties (Counseling Compact)
Checked against Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board (Professional Licensing Agency)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.