Licensed Professional Counselor (professional counselor) · Wisconsin · regulated by Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board — Professional Counselor Section (DSPS) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Professional Counselor Training License (DSPS: 'Licensed Professional Counselor-Training License') |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | the equivalent of at least 3,000 hours of professional counseling practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact (doctoral route: 1,000 hours) |
| Direct client contact | 1,000 hours face-to-face client contact |
| Time limit | Training license valid 48 months; renewable in 2-year intervals at the section's discretion (no fixed cap) |
| Exams | NCE, NCMHCE, or CRC exam (or other section-approved exam) |
Supervision
- How often: Average of one hour of face-to-face supervision per week during the supervised practice period
- Group supervision: Group ≤6 supervisees per supervisor; each member credited one hour per group hour
- Who may supervise: LPC with doctorate in counseling or 5 yrs full-time counseling; psychiatrist; licensed psychologist; DVR supervisor (LPC or 5 yrs); or other pre-approved person with 5 yrs experience
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted for master's route (hours after master's); doctoral route may count practice during or after the doctorate
- Paperwork: Form #2456 Supervisor Approval (before accruing hours); Form #2464 Affidavit of Applicant's Competencies (by supervisor) with LPC exam application (#12501)
Can you be supervised remotely in Wisconsin?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Since 6/1/2025 (CR 24-012), supervision 'may be performed face-to-face whether in person or remotely'. Face-to-face means in person or real-time video conferencing (MPSW 10.01(2), (6)). Required cadence is an average of 1 hour of face-to-face individual or group supervision per week (MPSW 12.02(2)(a)).
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor credential: None. Supervisors fall into listed categories: an LPC with a counseling doctorate, an LPC with 5 years full-time practice, a psychiatrist, a psychologist licensed under ch. 455 Stats., or a DVR supervisor. Anyone else must be approved in advance by the Professional Counselor Section.
- Supervisee cap: Group supervision is at most 6 supervisees per supervisor. No cap on total supervisees was found.
- Board approval first: Supervisor Approval Form (DSPS #2456) completed before the applicant begins accumulating experience under the training license. Hours count only while the applicant holds a professional counselor training license. There is no plan approval.
- If you live outside Wisconsin: None set by the state
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
CR 24-012 (eff. 6/1/2025) defined face-to-face to include real-time video and allowed remote supervision. CR 25-040 (eff. 12/1/2025) added Counseling Compact privilege-to-practice provisions.
Where the rules are unclear
Wisconsin’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- Must the LPC supervisor hold a Wisconsin license, or can an out-of-state LPC qualify under MPSW 12.02(1)(a)-(b)?
In the board’s own words
“engaged in the equivalent of at least 3,000 hours of professional counseling practice, including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact” — MPSW 11.01(3)(a)✓ matched in the source
“to meet an average of one hour of supervision per week during the supervised practice period” — MPSW 12.02(2)(a)✓ matched in the source
“A professional counselor training license is valid for 48 months, and may be renewed in two year intervals” — MPSW 11.015(2)✓ matched in the source
“Supervision may be performed face-to-face whether in person or remotely.” — MPSW 10.01(6)✓ matched in the source
“"Face-to-face" means in person or real time video conferencing where all parties can communicate by simultaneous means of audio, telephone, video, or data communications.” — MPSW 10.01(2)✓ matched in the source
“including at least 1,000 hours of face-to-face client contact, while holding a valid professional counselor training license” — MPSW 11.01(3)(a)✓ matched in the source
“who is approved in advance by the professional counselor section based upon evidence of 5 years of experience in counseling practice.” — MPSW 12.02(1)(f)✓ matched in the source
“The group shall consist of no more than 6 persons for every one person providing supervision.” — MPSW 12.02(3)(a)✓ matched in the source
“The applicant is in a position or has an offer for a position as a professional counselor in a supervised clinical professional counseling practice.” — MPSW 11.015(1)(d)1.✓ matched in the source
“Supervision may be exercised by a person other than an employment supervisor.” — MPSW 12.01(1)✓ matched in the source
“To be completed by applicant before applicant begins accumulating experience under Professional Counselor Training License.” — DSPS Form #2456✓ matched in the source
“"Privilege to practice" has the meaning given in s. 457.50 (2) (s), Stats.” — MPSW 10.01(3)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in Wisconsin
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All Wisconsin licenses · every state
Sources
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 11.01(3)-(4)
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 12.01–12.02
- Wis. Admin. Code MPSW 10.01(2), (6)
- Wis. Stat. s. 457.12 and 457.13
- DSPS Form #12501 LPC License–Exam checklist (Rev. 08/20/2025)
- DSPS Form #22601 LPC Training License checklist (V1. 5/19/2023)
- DSPS Form #2456 Professional Counselor Supervisor Approval Form (Rev. 8/16), Wayback capture 2025-03-05
Checked against Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board — Professional Counselor Section (DSPS)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.