Counseling License Requirements in Oregon
The demand for mental health professionals continues across the nation. Learn about opportunities in Oregon and how to obtain your Oregon counseling license.
Oregon offers counselors higher-than-average paychecks and strong projected job growth rates during 2022-2032. During this timeframe, Projections Central forecasts a 27% employment increase for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Learn about earning an Oregon counseling license, licensure options, and average salaries for counseling occupations.
Oregon Counselor Licensure Requirements
The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors & Therapists oversees licensure for licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs). The Oregon Department of Education licenses and regulates school counselors. The sections below list the requirements for each of the three types of Oregon counseling licenses.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Oregon?
Depending on the type of counseling specialization they pursue, Oregon counselors spend between six and 12 years on their education and training.
LPCs and LMFTs earn a four-year bachelor’s degree, followed by a two- to three-year master’s degree. After completing their degrees, they spend three years gaining supervised postgraduate experience. LPCs and LMFTs who opt for doctorates add 3-5 years.
School counselors also need bachelor’s and master’s degrees for their initial licenses, for a total of 6-7 years in school. Professional school counselor upgrades can add 3-5 years pursuing an educational specialist or doctoral degree.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Oregon
LPCs and LMFTs can obtain an Oregon counseling license by reciprocity. Out-of-state candidates who have held an active license for three or more years are eligible to become licensed in Oregon without any additional requirements. Applicants licensed for fewer than three years must follow the educational, supervised training, and examination steps outlined above.
Reciprocal school counselor licensure is also available. Applicants must have completed an approved out-of-state school counseling graduate program, hold an unrestricted school counseling license, and submit fingerprints for a criminal records check.
How to Renew a Counseling License in Oregon
LPC and LMFT licenses expire every two years. Renewal requires counselors to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year reporting period. The 40 hours must include six hours of professional ethics, four hours of cultural competency, and two hours of suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management. Supervisors also log three hours of supervision training.
Initial school counselors renew their licenses every three years, and professional school counselors renew every five years. Initial school counselors must complete 75 professional development units (PDUs) and professional school counselors 125 PDUs, including content in suicide prevention, treatment, and management.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in Oregon
The table below shows Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) salary data for several Oregon counseling roles in May 2024. Oregon counselor salaries, along with those of neighboring California and Washington, exceed the national average in all of the listed occupations.
Marriage and family therapists have an especially high earning potential in Oregon. According to the BLS, Oregon boasted three out of the five highest-paying metropolitan areas in the U.S. as of May 2023. These included Bend-Redmond, Salem, and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $38.24 | $79,550 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $45.44 | $94,520 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $27.28 | $56,750 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $35.03 | $72,860 |
| Counselors, All Other | $33.50 | $69,680 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in Oregon
- Oregon Counseling Association: As the Oregon branch of the American Counseling Association, ORCA supports its members with discount rates at continuing education events, state lobbying efforts to improve mental healthcare, and a members-only listserv. Students can join for just $25 per year.
- Oregon Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: The Oregon branch of the national Association for Marriage and Family Therapy offers employment listings, educational resources, legislative advocacy, and an annual conference. Plans include facilitating free networking and peer counseling events hosted by member volunteers.
- Oregon School Counselor Association: OSCA focuses on the health and safety of Oregon students by placing school counseling at the forefront of suicide prevention and intervention. OSCA also offers ethical consultations for its members, funds professional grants, and hosts an annual conference. Members can join committees, including advocacy, professional development, and awards, grants, and scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Counseling Licensure
Oregon requires licensure for LPCs, MFTs, and school counselors, and provides limited exemptions to counselors who do not treat behavioral, emotional, or mental disorders. Select government employees may also be exempt from licensure.
