A master’s degree in counseling or the following mental health disciplines -- counseling & guidance, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, or school psychology and consist of 48 semester or equivalent quarter hours. The degree must teach counseling principles, theories, techniques, and counseling interventions. If a degree is less than 48 semester hours an applicant can proposed a plan to complete the required courses to meet the educational requirement. 

 3,000 hours and 24 months of supervised experience with five years to complete the hours and months 1,200 hours direct client contact individual and/or group therapy required . 

A CIT or PLPC must be engaged in counseling or counseling related duties at least 15 hours a week during the period of supervised experience. 

 National Counselor Examination taken through National Board for Certified Counselors. 

 The NCE is administered for Missouri by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE). The examination is a computer based test available at locations throughout the country, to include Missouri.