The Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) application is the official paperwork you submit to the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors through the PALS online portal to get permission to practice counseling independently in Pennsylvania. The Board issues the license under the authority of the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, 63 P.S. §§ 1901–1922, and the regulations at 49 Pa. Code Chapter 49.
Filing this application wrong costs you time, money, and clinical income. The Board reports that the current initial application fee is $100 and that incomplete applications stall in Phase Two until every missing document arrives, with the typical full processing window stretching from three to nine months for first-time applicants.
- 📋 The exact line-by-line walkthrough of the PALS Professional Counselor application
- 🎓 How to document your 60-semester-hour graduate program (CACREP and non-CACREP)
- ⏱️ How to report your 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience without rejection
- 🧠 How to attach NCE, NCMHCE, Act 31, and FBI clearance documents the right way
- 💡 Three full filled-out examples plus 12+ FAQs that fix the most common filer mistakes
What the Pennsylvania LPC Application Is and Who Must File It
The Pennsylvania LPC application is the formal request to the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors for a license to practice professional counseling independently in the Commonwealth. The Board operates under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs inside the Pennsylvania Department of State. Without this license, you cannot legally call yourself an LPC, bill insurance as an independent clinician, or sign off on diagnoses in private practice in Pennsylvania.
You must file the application if you hold a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field, have finished or are finishing 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and intend to practice counseling in Pennsylvania. You also file if you already hold an LPC license in another state and want Pennsylvania to grant licensure by endorsement under 63 P.S. § 1907. Counselor educators with a CACREP-accredited doctorate, post-graduate supervisees finishing hours, and out-of-state clinicians moving to Pennsylvania all funnel through the same PALS application with different supporting forms.
The form is current as of the 2025 PALS revision, which fully replaced the legacy paper Form 13L-7301 for most applicants. Paper submissions are still accepted in rare cases where a third party cannot transmit electronically. The Board publishes the current Professional Counselor Licensure Snapshot on its website, and you should confirm the revision date matches before you start.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every document before you open the PALS application because the system times out and partial submissions cannot be edited once paid. The Board cross-checks every uploaded item against third-party records, so missing or mismatched documents trigger an automatic Phase Two hold. The PALS dashboard will list each missing item, but each request for information adds two to six weeks to your timeline.
- Official sealed transcripts from every graduate program, sent directly from the registrar to the Board through eScrip-Safe or by mail, because the Board does not accept student copies.
- Verification of Professional Education (Form A) completed by your program director, confirming your 60 semester hours and the eight required content areas under 49 Pa. Code § 49.13.
- Verification of Supervised Clinical Experience (Form B) signed by every clinical supervisor who oversaw any portion of your 3,000 hours.
- Verification of Licensure (Form C) from every state where you have ever held any professional license, even an expired one, because omissions count as misrepresentation.
- NCE or NCMHCE exam score report sent directly from the National Board for Certified Counselors to the Pennsylvania Board.
- Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting certificate, which must be three hours of Board-approved training under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383.
- FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check completed through IdentoGO using the Pennsylvania Department of State service code.
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Record Check if you have lived in Pennsylvania within the past two years.
- National Practitioner Data Bank Self-Query confirming no undisclosed malpractice or disciplinary findings.
- Government-issued photo ID and Social Security number for identity verification inside PALS.
Missing even one item flips the application into Phase Two limbo. The fee is non-refundable, so confirm every document is in hand and every name matches before you pay.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You access the Pennsylvania LPC application only through the PALS portal at pals.pa.gov. PALS is the single point of entry for all 29 Pennsylvania licensing boards, and the Department of State retired the standalone paper Form 13L-7301 for most filers in 2023. You will not find a fillable PDF posted on the Board page because the Board now routes everything through the online platform.
To get to the form, create a PALS account with your legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. Log in, click Apply for New License, choose Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, and select Professional Counselor. PALS then asks whether you are applying by examination, by endorsement, or as an Associate Professional Counselor, and the questions branch from there. The portal saves a draft as you go, but the draft expires after 14 days of inactivity.
If you cannot use the portal because of a documented disability, you may request a paper packet by emailing the Board at ST-COUNSELOR@pa.gov and explaining the accommodation. The Board mails the paper Form 13L-7301 along with Forms A, B, and C. Paper packets take an extra six to eight weeks to process because staff must scan and key each entry by hand.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Pennsylvania LPC Application Line by Line
The PALS Professional Counselor application is divided into eight sections after the initial license type selection. Each section unlocks only after the previous one is complete. Below is each field, in order, with how to fill it, an example, an edge case, the most common mistake, and the misconception that trips up filers.
Section 1, Field 1: Application Type
This field asks you to pick the legal pathway you are filing under. Choose By Examination if you are a first-time LPC applicant who finished your 3,000 hours in Pennsylvania, By Endorsement if you already hold an LPC or equivalent license in another state, or Associate Professional Counselor if you have not yet finished your supervised hours.
Click the radio button that matches your pathway, then click Continue. Maria, a 2023 Temple University Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate who finished her 3,000 hours in 2026, selects By Examination. David, an Ohio LPCC moving to Pittsburgh, selects By Endorsement. Aisha, a CACREP-accredited Ph.D. in Counselor Education who held a North Carolina LPC, also selects By Endorsement because she already holds an out-of-state license.
If you are not sure which pathway fits, stop and call the Board at 717-783-1389 before clicking, because changing pathways later requires withdrawing the application and forfeiting the fee. The most common mistake is selecting By Examination when you already hold an LPC elsewhere, which forces a full re-review under Pennsylvania education rules instead of the faster endorsement track. The misconception is that By Endorsement is automatic; it is not, because the Board still reviews your education and hours against 49 Pa. Code § 49.13.
Section 1, Field 2: Legal Name
This field asks for the name printed on your Social Security card and government ID. Enter your full legal first name, middle name, and last name in separate boxes, with no nicknames, no initials, and no punctuation other than hyphens.
Type your name in standard case, not all caps, because PALS automatically formats the entry. Maria enters Maria Elena Lopez. If your transcript shows a former name, use the Other Names Used box to list it so the Board can match records.
If you legally changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, attach the certified court order or marriage certificate as a PDF. The most common mistake is typing a married name when your transcript still carries your maiden name, which triggers an identity mismatch hold. The misconception is that PALS will figure out name variations on its own; it will not, because the Board manually compares each document.
Section 1, Field 3: Date of Birth
This field asks for the birth date listed on your government ID. Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format, using two digits for month and day and four digits for the year.
David enters 07/14/1989. The PALS calendar widget defaults to today’s date, so always click into the box and overwrite it.
If your foreign passport uses a DD/MM/YYYY format, convert it before entering. The most common mistake is reversing month and day, which flags a discrepancy against the FBI fingerprint record. The misconception is that the Board only uses this field for identity confirmation; it also uses it to verify you meet the 21-year-old minimum age under 49 Pa. Code § 49.13.
Section 1, Field 4: Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit Social Security number. Enter it without dashes, exactly as it appears on your card.
Aisha enters 123456789. PALS encrypts this field, so do not paste from a clipboard manager that may log keystrokes.
If you do not have a Social Security number because you are a non-citizen with work authorization, enter your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and upload your I-94 or EAD card. The most common mistake is entering a typo that fails the SSA match, which freezes the file for weeks. The misconception is that you can skip this field for privacy; you cannot, because state law requires SSN collection for child support enforcement under 23 Pa.C.S. § 4304.1.
Section 1, Field 5: Mailing Address
This field asks where the Board should send paper notices and your wall license. Enter a street address, apartment or unit number, city, state, and ZIP code, using two-letter state abbreviations.
Maria enters 1812 Walnut Street, Apt 4B, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The Board will mail your laminated wall certificate to this exact address, so use a place where mail is reliable for at least six months after filing.
If you use a P.O. Box for mail and a separate residence, list the P.O. Box here and your residence in the Residential Address field that appears next. The most common mistake is leaving the apartment number blank, which results in a returned wall certificate and a $25 reprint fee. The misconception is that you can change this later for free; you can update it in PALS, but a reissued certificate still costs $25.
Section 1, Field 6: Email Address
This field asks for the email PALS will use for every status update, including missing-document requests. Enter a personal email you check daily, not a school or employer email that may shut down.
David enters david.kim89@gmail.com. PALS sends every Phase One, Two, and Three update only by email, with no paper backup.
If you change email addresses mid-process, log into PALS and update the field immediately. The most common mistake is using a school email that deactivates at graduation, causing the applicant to miss the Board’s authorization-to-test letter. The misconception is that PALS will call you if email bounces; it will not, and the file simply sits.
Section 2, Field 7: Education Pathway (CACREP vs. Non-CACREP)
This field asks whether your graduate degree is from a CACREP-accredited program or not. Select CACREP if your program is listed on the CACREP directory on the date your degree was conferred.
Maria selects CACREP because Temple’s CMHC program is CACREP-accredited. Aisha selects CACREP for her doctorate. Filers from non-CACREP programs select Non-CACREP and upload the Course-by-Course Content Review form.
If your program lost or gained CACREP status during your enrollment, use the status on your graduation date. The most common mistake is checking CACREP when only the master’s, not the doctoral program, was accredited. The misconception is that non-CACREP graduates cannot get licensed; they can, but the Board reviews each course against the eight content areas in 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(b).
Section 2, Field 8: Degree Information
This field asks for the institution name, degree title, conferral date, and total semester hours. Enter the exact name on your transcript, the exact degree (e.g., M.Ed. in Counseling, M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling), the conferral date in MM/DD/YYYY, and the total semester hours.
David enters University of Akron, M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 05/15/2014, 60 semester hours. The Board requires at least 60 graduate semester hours for licensure under 49 Pa. Code § 49.13.
If your program lists quarter hours, convert by multiplying by two-thirds. The most common mistake is reporting only the degree-required hours and omitting electives that round out the 60, which triggers a deficiency letter. The misconception is that a 48-hour CACREP master’s degree is enough; it is not in Pennsylvania, even though it is in some other states.
Section 2, Field 9: Eight Required Content Areas
This field appears only for non-CACREP applicants and asks you to map your coursework to each of the eight content areas: human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group dynamics, career and lifestyle development, appraisal, research and program evaluation, and professional orientation. Enter the course title, course number, semester, and grade for each area.
A non-CACREP applicant enters PSY 540 Lifespan Development, Fall 2020, Grade A for human growth and development. Repeat for all eight areas, attaching syllabi if a course title does not clearly match.
If one course covers two content areas, you must still list a separate course for each area. The most common mistake is double-counting one course across two areas, which fails the content review. The misconception is that any psychology course satisfies an area; the course must be at the graduate level and counseling-focused.
Section 3, Field 10: Supervised Clinical Experience
This field asks for the start date, end date, total hours, direct client hours, and supervision hours for every clinical placement. Enter each site separately and total 3,000 hours with at least 1,800 direct client contact hours and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision under 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(c).
Maria enters her two-year community mental health placement at Resources for Human Development as 09/01/2023 to 08/30/2025, 3,200 total hours, 1,950 direct, 120 supervision. Each site needs its own Form B from the supervisor.
If your hours straddle multiple sites or supervisors, list each combination separately. The most common mistake is reporting only direct hours instead of total hours, which makes the file look short. The misconception is that practicum and internship hours from your master’s program count; they do not, because the 3,000 hours must be post-degree.
Section 3, Field 11: Supervisor Information
This field asks for each supervisor’s name, license type, license number, state, and dates of supervision. Enter the supervisor’s legal name, license type (LPC, LCSW, psychologist, or psychiatrist), license number, issuing state, and supervision dates.
Maria’s supervisor is Janet Park, LPC, PC-006789, Pennsylvania, 09/01/2023 to 08/30/2025. Each supervisor must hold at least five years of post-licensure clinical experience under 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(c)(3).
If a supervisor retired or moved out of state during your hours, list their license as it was during the supervision period. The most common mistake is listing a supervisor whose license lapsed mid-supervision, which voids those hours. The misconception is that any licensed clinician can supervise; only specific license types qualify, and the supervisor must have completed Board-approved supervision training.
Section 4, Field 12: Examination Information
This field asks whether you have already passed the NCE or NCMHCE and, if so, the exam date and score. If you have not yet taken the exam, select Authorize to Test and the Board will release your name to NBCC after Phase One review.
David enters NCMHCE, 03/12/2014, Passed. He uploads the NBCC score report and also has NBCC send an official report directly to the Board.
If you took the exam more than five years ago and have not practiced continuously, the Board may require a retake. The most common mistake is uploading a score report screenshot instead of requesting NBCC to send the official version, which is the only one the Board accepts. The misconception is that passing the NCE in another state automatically counts here; it does, but only with a direct NBCC transmission to Pennsylvania.
Section 5, Field 13: Act 31 Child Abuse Training
This field asks for the date you completed three hours of Board-approved Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting training. Enter the completion date in MM/DD/YYYY and the provider’s name.
Aisha enters 02/18/2026, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. Upload the certificate as a PDF. The training must come from a provider on the Department of Human Services approved list.
If your certificate is older than five years, you must retake the training under Act 31. The most common mistake is uploading a generic mandated-reporter certificate from an employer; only DHS-approved Act 31 providers count. The misconception is that prior child welfare work waives this requirement; it does not.
Section 5, Field 14: Criminal History and Disciplinary Disclosures
This field asks whether you have ever been convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest, or been disciplined by any licensing board in any jurisdiction. Answer Yes or No for each of the seven sub-questions, then upload court documents, board orders, and a personal explanation for every Yes.
David answers No to all. A different applicant, Marcus, answers Yes to a 2015 DUI and uploads the certified disposition along with a one-page explanation showing rehabilitation. Failure to disclose under 63 P.S. § 1911 results in license denial or revocation even years later.
If you were arrested but charges were dismissed or expunged, you still must disclose under Pennsylvania licensing rules. The most common mistake is hiding a juvenile or out-of-state offense believing the Board will not find it; FBI fingerprints reveal everything. The misconception is that expunged records do not need disclosure; the Board’s regulation explicitly requires disclosure of any arrest.
Section 6, Field 15: FBI Fingerprint Background Check
This field asks for the IdentoGO Universal Enrollment ID (UEID) from your fingerprint appointment. Enter the UEID exactly as printed on your IdentoGO receipt.
Maria enters UE123456789. Schedule the fingerprint appointment at identogo.com using Pennsylvania Department of State service code 1KG6P3 and pay the $25.75 fee at the appointment.
If you live outside Pennsylvania, you can use an out-of-state IdentoGO location, but it must transmit to the Pennsylvania Department of State. The most common mistake is using the wrong service code, which routes the results to the wrong agency. The misconception is that a recent employer fingerprint check counts; it does not, because the Board requires a direct transmission tied to your license application.
Section 7, Field 16: Application Fee Payment
This field asks for credit card or e-check information to pay the $100 initial application fee. Enter the card number, expiration, CVV, and billing address exactly as the bank has them on file.
Aisha pays $100 by Visa. The fee is non-refundable under 49 Pa. Code § 49.16, even if the Board denies the license.
If you need to pay by paper check, you must file a paper application instead, and the check must be a money order or cashier’s check made payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The most common mistake is using a debit card with daily limits below $100, which silently fails. The misconception is that the fee covers fingerprints; it does not, because IdentoGO charges separately.
Section 8, Field 17: Attestation and Electronic Signature
This field asks you to attest that every statement is true under penalty of perjury and to type your full legal name as an electronic signature. Type your name exactly as in Field 2 and check every attestation box.
Maria types Maria Elena Lopez and checks all five attestation boxes. PALS time-stamps the signature and assigns an application number that you should save in a secure place.
If you discover an error after signing, you cannot edit the application; you must email the Board with corrections and supporting documents. The most common mistake is signing without first reading the certifications about supervision hours and disciplinary disclosures. The misconception is that the attestation is a formality; it is the legal hook the Board uses to revoke a license later if you misrepresent any fact.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three examples below show how three different filers move through the same PALS application from start to finish. Each table uses the exact field names from the form.
Example 1: Maria, a First-Time Applicant by Examination
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | By Examination |
| Legal Name | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Date of Birth | 04/22/1998 |
| Mailing Address | 1812 Walnut Street, Apt 4B, Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
| Education Pathway | CACREP |
| Degree Information | Temple University, M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 05/10/2023, 60 semester hours |
| Supervised Clinical Experience | 09/01/2023 to 08/30/2025, 3,200 total, 1,950 direct, 120 supervision |
| Supervisor | Janet Park, LPC, PC-006789, Pennsylvania |
| Examination | Authorize to Test for NCMHCE |
| Act 31 Training | 02/03/2026, Temple University CCE |
| FBI Fingerprint UEID | UE987654321 |
| Application Fee | $100 by Visa |
Example 2: David, an Endorsement Applicant from Ohio
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | By Endorsement |
| Legal Name | David Sang Kim |
| Date of Birth | 07/14/1989 |
| Mailing Address | 44 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 |
| Education Pathway | CACREP |
| Degree Information | University of Akron, M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 05/15/2014, 60 semester hours |
| Out-of-State License | Ohio LPCC, License E.2014.0123, Active since 06/2016 |
| Supervised Clinical Experience | 06/2014 to 06/2016, 3,400 total, 2,000 direct, 150 supervision |
| Examination | NCMHCE, 03/12/2014, Passed |
| Act 31 Training | 01/15/2026, Penn State Outreach |
| FBI Fingerprint UEID | UE112233445 |
| Application Fee | $100 by Mastercard |
Example 3: Aisha, a Doctoral-Level Endorsement Applicant
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Application Type | By Endorsement |
| Legal Name | Aisha Renee Carter |
| Date of Birth | 11/03/1982 |
| Mailing Address | 600 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 |
| Education Pathway | CACREP |
| Degree Information | University of North Carolina Greensboro, Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, 05/12/2012, 96 semester hours |
| Out-of-State License | North Carolina LCMHC, License A12345, Active since 09/2014 |
| Supervised Clinical Experience | 08/2012 to 09/2014, 3,800 total, 2,200 direct, 175 supervision |
| Examination | NCE, 10/2012, Passed |
| Act 31 Training | 02/18/2026, University of Pittsburgh SSW |
| FBI Fingerprint UEID | UE556677889 |
| Application Fee | $100 by e-check |
How to File the Completed Form
The Board accepts the LPC application through the PALS portal for nearly every filer. Online filing is the fastest path because the system routes documents and payments instantly to the Board’s queue. The application fee is $100 paid by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or e-check during the final step, with processing typically beginning within 48 hours of submission.
If you must file by paper, mail the completed Form 13L-7301 packet, the $100 money order or cashier’s check made out to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and all original verification forms to State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649. Paper packets take six to eight extra weeks because staff must scan and key each entry. Always send paper packets by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt so you have proof of filing.
In-person filing is no longer accepted at the Department of State office; the Harrisburg building stopped walk-in submissions in 2022. Fax filing is also not accepted for the application itself, though the Board may request supplementary documents by fax to 717-787-7769 during Phase Two review. The proof of filing you should keep is the PALS confirmation email, the application number, and a saved PDF of the completed application before submission.
After you file, PALS will display the application status in real time. Check it weekly because Phase Two requests for information have a typical 30-day response deadline before the Board may administratively close the file.
What Happens After You File
After submission, the application enters Phase One, where Board staff perform an initial completeness review and verify that every required document either arrived or is in transit. This phase usually takes two to six weeks, and ends with either an authorization-to-test letter or a missing-information notice. The Board will not begin substantive review until every checklist item is in.
Phase Two begins once the file is complete on its face. The Board’s professional staff verify your education against the eight content areas, your supervised hours against 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(c), your exam score, your background check results, and any disciplinary history. This phase can take one to four months depending on the season; spring and early summer are the slowest because new graduate cohorts file at the same time.
Phase Three is the final issuance step. Once everything clears, PALS emails your wall certificate as a PDF and the Board mails the printed certificate to your listed mailing address within two to three weeks. Your license number appears in the Board’s public license verification database the same day PALS issues the credential. You can then use the credentials LPC after your name and begin independent practice in Pennsylvania.
If the Board denies the license, the denial letter explains the reason and your right to a formal hearing under the Administrative Agency Law, 2 Pa.C.S. §§ 501–508. You generally have 30 days from the denial to request a hearing in writing.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Selecting the wrong application type. Picking By Examination when you already hold an LPC elsewhere triggers a slower full re-review of your education.
- Misspelling your legal name. A typo between PALS and your Social Security card freezes the application until you submit a correction with proof.
- Forgetting to list a former name. Omitting a maiden name from the Other Names Used field breaks the transcript match.
- Using a school email. A deactivated school email causes you to miss the authorization-to-test letter.
- Reporting fewer than 60 semester hours. Counting only required courses instead of total graduate hours triggers a deficiency notice.
- Counting practicum hours toward the 3,000. Pre-degree hours never count toward the 3,000 post-degree requirement.
- Listing a supervisor with a lapsed license. Any hours under a lapsed supervisor are voided, sometimes years later.
- Uploading a screenshot of your exam score. Only direct NBCC-to-Board transmission counts.
- Skipping Act 31 because your job already trained you. Only DHS-approved Act 31 providers satisfy the rule.
- Hiding a dismissed or expunged charge. Non-disclosure under 63 P.S. § 1911 is itself grounds for denial.
- Using the wrong IdentoGO service code. Results sent to the wrong agency cannot be re-routed and you must redo the fingerprint.
- Paying with a debit card under daily limit. A silent failure means the application is never officially filed.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do use your exact legal name on every document because the Board manually cross-checks identity.
- Do request transcripts and verification forms at least 90 days before filing because third parties move slowly.
- Do save a PDF of the completed application before clicking Submit because PALS does not let you re-download it later.
- Do check PALS weekly because Phase Two requests carry a 30-day clock.
- Do keep your supervisor’s contact information current because the Board may follow up on Form B by phone or email.
-
Do verify CACREP status on the date your degree was conferred because mid-program changes affect your pathway.
-
Don’t rely on screenshots of exam scores because the Board only accepts direct NBCC transmissions.
- Don’t ignore old out-of-state licenses because Form C is required even for expired credentials.
- Don’t forget to disclose dismissed charges because regulations require full disclosure regardless of outcome.
- Don’t schedule fingerprints with the wrong service code because the results cannot be transferred.
- Don’t submit Act 31 training older than five years because it expires under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6383.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box as your only residence address because the Board needs a physical address for residency verification.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro of filing solo: You save $300 to $1,500 in consultant or attorney fees that some applicants pay for help.
- Pro of filing solo: You learn the Board’s regulations directly, which helps with renewals every two years.
- Pro of filing solo: PALS guides you with branching plain-language questions, so most fields are self-explanatory.
- Pro of getting help: A licensing consultant or attorney can review disciplinary disclosures before submission to avoid traps.
-
Pro of getting help: Help is most valuable for non-CACREP filers who must map coursework to eight content areas.
-
Con of filing solo: Small mistakes can add months to processing time because Phase Two cycles slowly.
- Con of filing solo: First-time filers often miss the difference between total hours and direct client hours on Field 10.
- Con of getting help: Some consultants charge for items, like Act 31 reminders, that you can find free on the Board website.
- Con of getting help: The licensing attorney still cannot file on your behalf because PALS requires your personal electronic signature.
- Con of getting help: Outsourcing the work can leave you unfamiliar with the renewal portal two years later.
CACREP vs. Non-CACREP Application Paths
| CACREP Path | Non-CACREP Path |
|---|---|
| No course-by-course content review required | Course-by-course content review required for all 8 areas |
| Faster Phase Two review (typically 1–2 months) | Slower review (typically 3–4 months) |
| Form A confirms accreditation in one box | Form A plus syllabi for each content area |
| Internship hours generally accepted as documented | Internship hours scrutinized line by line |
| Direct match to 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(a) | Mapped match to 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(b) |
FAQs
Do I need a CACREP-accredited degree to get a Pennsylvania LPC?
No. Pennsylvania accepts non-CACREP degrees that meet the eight content areas and 60-hour requirement in 49 Pa. Code § 49.13(b), although the review takes longer.
Can I count practicum and internship hours toward the 3,000 supervised hours?
No. Only post-degree hours under a qualified supervisor count toward the 3,000-hour requirement in Pennsylvania.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Legal Name field?
Yes, use whichever name appears on your Social Security card right now, and list any other names in the Other Names Used field.
Do I list a supervisor whose license lapsed mid-supervision in Field 11?
No. Hours under a supervisor without an active qualifying license are not creditable and should be replaced with hours under a properly licensed supervisor.
Do I need to disclose an expunged arrest in Field 14?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s licensing regulations require disclosure of all arrests, including expunged or dismissed matters, under 63 P.S. § 1911.
Can I upload a screenshot of my NCMHCE score in Field 12?
No. Only an official NBCC-to-Board transmission counts; uploaded screenshots do not satisfy the exam verification rule.
Is the $100 application fee refundable if my license is denied?
No. The application fee is non-refundable under 49 Pa. Code § 49.16, even after denial.
Do I need Pennsylvania state clearances if I live outside Pennsylvania?
No, you generally only need PA Child Abuse and PA State Police clearances if you have lived in Pennsylvania within the past two years.
Can I file by paper instead of through PALS?
Yes, but only on accommodation request, and paper filings take six to eight extra weeks to process.
Do I have to use IdentoGO for fingerprints or can I use my local police?
No, local police prints do not transmit to the Board; only IdentoGO with service code 1KG6P3 works.
Does my Act 31 training certificate from a hospital orientation count?
No. Only training delivered by a DHS-approved Act 31 provider satisfies the rule.
Can I practice as an LPC the day I submit the PALS application?
No. You may only use the LPC title and bill independently after the Board issues the license number in Phase Three.
Do I need to send transcripts even if my school is in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Every applicant must have official sealed transcripts sent directly from the registrar to the Board, regardless of the school’s location.
What if my supervisor refuses to complete Form B?
No supervisor signature means no creditable hours; you may file a complaint with the Board and request a hearing to verify hours through alternative evidence.
Do I have to retake the NCMHCE if I passed the NCE years ago?
No, the NCE remains acceptable for endorsement applicants whose original state accepted it, as long as NBCC transmits the official score to Pennsylvania.
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