for Consumers

What Are Licensed Counselors?
Licensed Professional Counselors (PCs, PCCs, PCC-Ss) are mental health professionals with a master's or doctoral degree, licensed by the State of Ohio, who are trained to help individuals, families, and organizations to optimize healthy functioning and prevent or remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. Trained in the application of principles of normal and abnormal human development, Licensed Professional Counselors help consumers make the most of life, heighten joy in living, identify and deal with mental and emotional problems (or disorders), and resolve conflicts in relationships at home, in school, at work, and in the community.

What Qualifications Do Licensed Counselors Have? Licensed Professional Counselors (PC, PCC, PCC-S) have specialized knowledge, education, and training in the fields of human behavior, counseling principles, counseling methods and problem solving. To become a licensed Professional Counselor (PC), an applicant must earn a Master's Degree in Counseling and pass the required examination. A PC may upgrade to a Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC), after completing two years of training experience under the supervision of a PCC-S, which includes the diagnosis and treatment of mental & emotional disorders. To become a Supervising Counselor (PCC-S), an applicant must have at least one year of post PCC experience and additional academic work or continuing education hours in clinical supervision. Licensed Professional Counselors must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two year renewal period.

What Are Licensed Social Workers?
Licensed Social Workers (LSW or LISW) are mental health professionals licensed by the State of Ohio who are trained to help individuals, groups, families and organizations. A LSW or a LISW can help you deal with emotional problems and help you resolve conflicts or problems relating to others at home, at work, in school and in the world around you.

What Qualifications Do Licensed Social Workers Have?
Licensed Social Workers have specialized knowledge, education and training in the fields of human development and behavior, methods of social intervention, social welfare and policy and social work theory. To become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), an applicant must have at least a bachelor's degree in social work and pass the national examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). To become a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) an applicant must complete two-year post-master's supervised experience period as a LSW. After completing two years under supervision, the applicant must pass the national examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). To keep their licenses, social workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two-year renewal period.

What Are Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists?
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs or IMFTs) are mental health professionals licensed by the State of Ohio who are trained to help individuals, groups, families and organizations. MFTs and IMFTs can help with a wide array of relationship issues within the context of the family system, including emotional disorders and help you resolve conflicts or problems relating to marriage and family issues. Marriage and Family Therapists broaden the traditional emphasis on the individual to attend to the nature and role of individuals in primary relationship networks such as marriage and the family.

What Qualifications Do Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists Have?
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists have specialized knowledge, education and training in the fields of human behavior, marriage and family studies, appraisal of individuals and families, and problem solving. To become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an applicant must earn a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and the applicant must pass a national examination. The applicant must complete a two-year post-graduate supervised experience period as a Marriage and Family Therapist before becoming an Independent Marriage and Family Therapist. To keep their licenses, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists must complete 30 hours of continuing education each two year renewal period.

What is the Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board?
The Legislature established the Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board to protect the public by assuring the qualifications and professionalism of licensed Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists. The fifteen-member Board, appointed by the governor, is charged with establishing standards for licensing; identifying individuals meeting those standards; and administering licensing examinations. The Board also is charged with developing and enforcing ethical standards for licensed individuals; investigating complaints; and disciplining licensed individuals who violate ethical standards, Board rules or state licensing laws.

How Can the Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board Help Protect Me?
The Board protects you by assuring that Licensed Counselors, Social Workers & Marriage and Family Therapists meet national standards regarding their qualifications, knowledge and experience before certification and licensing. The Board also investigates complaints made by members of the public regarding possible abuses by Licensed Counselors, Social Workers & Marriage and Family Therapists. The Board disciplines Licensed Counselors, Social Workers & Marriage and Family Therapists when a violation has occurred. The Board requires Licensed Counselors, Social Workers & Marriage and Family Therapists to maintain their skills and update their knowledge with continuing education in the field of counseling, social work and marriage and family therapy.

How Do I Check a Counselor's, Social Worker's or Marriage & Family Therapist's Qualifications?
When selecting a counselor, social worker or marriage and family therapist it is advisable to contact the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board at the following number: (614) 466-0912. You can also obtain the same information on the state web site: https://license.ohio.gov. Not all counselors in Ohio have a license, but only licensed counselors may call themselves Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC). Not all social workers in Ohio have a license, but only licensed social workers may call themselves Licensed Social Workers? (LSW) or Licensed Independent Social Workers (LISW). Not all marriage and family therapists in Ohio have a license, but only licensed marriage and family therapists may call themselves licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) or licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapists (IMFT).

The Board is able to share with you whether a particular counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist has been licensed. If the counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist is indeed licensed, that is your assurance that the counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist has met the education, experience and examination requirements for professional practice established by Ohio law. The Board is also able to inform you if the individual's license is current, lapsed, if the counselor, social worker, or marriage and family therapist has had disciplinary action taken against their license.

What Are My Rights as a Client?
You have the right to professional and ethical treatment regardless of your age, sex, race, color, national origin or disability. You have the right to a clear description of services, fees and how you (and your insurer) will be billed. Client records and communications are confidential and, subject to few exceptions, may not be released by a licensed Counselor, Social Worker or Marriage & Family Therapist without the client's consent.

What If I Have a Complaint?
You should file a written complaint if a licensed Counselor, Social Worker or Marriage & Family Therapist has: