Associate Counselor License Provides Path for Better Opportunities
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MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

Associate Counselor License Provides Path for Better Pay, Opportunities


April 24, 2024

A new provisional license for counselors is expected to help address the need for mental health professionals within Pennsylvania while also providing new counseling graduates with opportunities for better pay.

鈥淲ith the passing of the provisional licensure, our graduates will have more opportunities afforded to them because many companies other than traditional community behavioral health agencies can now bill for services,鈥� said Lisa Corbin, PhD, LPC, NCC, chair and director of PCOM鈥檚 MS in Mental Health Counseling program.

Key Points
  • Pennsylvania has introduced a provisional license for counselors which aims to address the shortage of mental health professionals and boost opportunities for new graduates.
  • With the new licensure, graduates can now work with various companies beyond traditional behavioral health agencies, potentially leading to better pay and career prospects.
  • The act is expected to simplify insurance reimbursement processes for professionals aiming for independent licensure.
  • To obtain an associate license, applicants must meet requirements including paying a $75 fee, completing child abuse training, passing a criminal history check, and submitting a supervision plan.

, recently signed into law by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, allows new professional counselors and marriage and family therapists who hold a master鈥檚 degree to apply to work as licensed associate marriage and family therapists (LAMFTs) and licensed associate professional counselors (LAPCs). Previously, according to Brandon Tomlinson, PhD, LPCC, NCC, an assistant professor in PCOM鈥檚 Mental Health Counseling program, counselors and marriage and family therapists in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have traditionally had to wait two years for any sort of recognition from insurance agencies.

鈥淭hink of not having this introductory level of licensure like a medical doctor who has to go through residency without being recognized as a legitimate medical provider during said residency,鈥� he explained.

The new act, he added, will most likely simplify the process of insurance reimbursement for providers who are working toward independent licensure. For those with a master鈥檚 degree, this includes the completion of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in order to reach eligibility for state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

According to a , the new law will help address a critical mental health workforce shortage in Pennsylvania. Prospective associate counselor licensees will be vetted by the and submit license applications through the . Requirements include, but are not limited to:

Lisa Corbin, PhD, LPC, NCC talks with two females.
  • A $75 application fee.
  • Three (3) hours of approved continuing education training by the Department of Human Services (DHS) on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting.
  • Criminal history check.
  • An official notification of information (Self Query) from the National Practitioner Data Bank.
  • Educational transcripts.
  • Supervision plan.
  • Curriculum vitae/resume for each qualified supervisor who will be providing direct supervision during the licensee鈥檚 supervised clinical experience.

An application checklist including details regarding these and other requirements may be viewed on the PALS website.

鈥淭he passage of Act 4 will expand opportunities for our graduates to engage in different types of experiences with diverse clientele,鈥� Corbin said. 鈥淲e are proud to play a role in advancing mental health care and look forward to seeing the positive impact our graduates will make in improving the well-being of individuals across the state.鈥�

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