Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

To become a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern in Florida you must have:

1. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

Applicants must submit an official transcript documenting the minimum award of a master’s degree from an institutionally accredited program. That consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours and required graduate coursework. The transcript will be reviewed to verify:

• Degree awarded;
• Degree conferred date;
• Institutional accreditation;
• Programmatic accreditation;
• Total semester or quarter hours completed; and
• Required graduate-level coursework.

Electronic transcripts may be sent through a secure transcript delivery service directly to MQA.491@flhealth.gov. Please contact your institution to determine whether this service is available.

Mailed transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope directly from the university or they will not be considered official. A degree conferred date must be listed on the transcript. This document CANNOT be uploaded in your online account. Official transcripts may be mailed to:

Florida Department of Health
Board of CSW, MFT, and MHC
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for licensure.

(A) CACREP-Accredited Programs

Applicants graduating from a CACREP-accredited program must have earned a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling consisting of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours of clinical and didactic instruction, including graduate-level coursework in:

• Human Sexuality; and
• Substance Abuse.

Please note: CACREP accreditation alone does not satisfy the statutory education requirement. The qualifying master’s degree must be awarded from a Mental Health Counseling program. The following degree programs do not satisfy the degree requirement for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor, including, but not limited to:

• School Counseling
• Marriage and Family Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Addiction Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Counselor Education

(B) MPCAC or Other Equivalent Accredited Programs

Applicants who earned a master’s degree from a program related to the practice of mental health counseling that is accredited by MPCAC, or another equivalent accrediting body must demonstrate that the master’s degree consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours and includes the required graduate coursework listed below.

Each course must consist of a minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework in each of the following content areas:

• Counseling Theories and Practice
• Human Growth and Development
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychopathology
• Human Sexuality
• Group Theories and Practice
• Individual Evaluation and Assessment
• Career and Lifestyle Assessment
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Social and Cultural Foundations
• Substance Abuse
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards Issues

Courses in research, thesis or dissertation work, practicums, internships, or fieldwork may not be applied toward this requirement.

If the title of a course appearing on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify the course content, the applicant must provide additional documentation, such as a course syllabus or a university catalog description.

Please note: You may become a registered intern and begin your post-master’s experience if:

• Your qualifying graduate program consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours;
• You have completed at least 7 of the 11 required content areas, as determined by the Board; and
• One of the completed courses is in psychopathology or abnormal psychology.

The remaining required coursework must be completed to satisfy the applicable educational requirements for licensure.

2. PRACTICUM LETTER

Applicants must complete the equivalent of 700 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience that includes at least 280 hours of direct client services.

The university must provide a letter on official letterhead verifying the course title and the total practicum, internship, or field experience hours completed. This practicum experience may not be used to satisfy the post-master’s supervised clinical experience requirement.

A practicum letter is not required from CACREP clinical mental health counseling programs or mental health counseling programs.

FOREIGN EDUCATION

For the Board to consider education completed outside the U.S. or Canada, documentation must be received which verifies the institution at which the education was completed was equivalent to an accredited U.S. institution and the coursework met the content and credit hour requirement for graduate level coursework in the U.S. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain an evaluation from a recognized foreign equivalency determination service that documents the acceptability of the coursework. The Board office must receive an original evaluation mailed directly from the educational evaluation service. For a list of approved Foreign Education Evaluators, please click here.

3. QUALIFIED SUPERVISOR LETTER

Applicants must submit a signed and dated letter from a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor agreeing to provide supervision while the applicant is registered as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern.

The letter may be submitted by mail or electronically.

The Qualified Supervisor’s letter must:

• Be signed and dated by the Qualified Supervisor;
• Include the Qualified Supervisor’s license number;
• Include the applicant’s name as it appears on the application; and
• State that the Qualified Supervisor has agreed to provide supervision while the applicant is registered as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern.

Important Information:

Pursuant to section 491.0045(3), Florida Statutes, a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern must remain under the supervision of a Board-approved Qualified Supervisor while practicing under registered intern status.

Qualified Supervisors may not commence supervision until they have confirmed the intern’s Board approval, registration status, and receipt of the Board’s approval letter for each intern under supervision.

If supervision ends for any reason, the intern must immediately obtain another Board-approved Qualified Supervisor before continuing to practice as a registered intern.

At the conclusion of the supervisory relationship, the Qualified Supervisor must:

• Submit the Verification of Clinical Experience Form to the Board and provide a copy to the intern within seven (7) days after the conclusion of supervision, documenting the supervised clinical experience completed; and
• Notify the Board within seven (7) days if the supervisory relationship is terminated for any reason.

A Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern registration number will not be issued until the Board has received the completed application, applicable fee, official transcript, Qualified Supervisor letter, and all required supporting documentation.

Pursuant to Rule 64B4-2.0025, Florida Administrative Code, both the Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and the Qualified Supervisor must maintain current, identical copies of the required supervision documentation throughout the period of supervision.

Both the intern and the Qualified Supervisor maintain identical, current copies of the required supervision documentation and supervision logs at all times. Forms may be signed electronically in accordance with Chapter 668, Part I, Florida Statute.

For questions regarding telehealth supervision or the provision of telehealth services, please visit: https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/telehealth/.

Pursuant to section 456.013(1)(a), Florida Statutes, an incomplete application expires one year after the date it is initially filed with the Department.

Applicants for initial licensure must use a Livescan service provider to submit a set of fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for the purpose of conducting a search for any Florida and national criminal history records that may pertain to applicant. The results of the search will be returned to the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and made available to the Department for consideration during the licensure process. The fingerprints submitted by the applicant will be retained by FDLE and the Clearinghouse. All costs for conducting a criminal history background screening are borne by the applicant.

It is important to use the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) when submitting fingerprints. If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the service provider, the board office will not receive your fingerprint results, so it is extremely important to use the correct ORI when having your fingerprints scanned.

Applicants can use any FDLE approved Livescan service provider to submit their fingerprints. The applicant is fully responsible for selecting the service provider and ensuring the results are reported to the Department.  If you are applying for initial licensure after December 15, 2012, You must print this form and take it with you to a Livescan service provider. For more information, FAQs, and a list of all approved Livescan service providers please visit the Department’s website at: FLHealthSource.gov/Background-Screening.

Find A Qualified Supervisor:

Did you know that you can obtain a list of supervisors in your area at any time 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Simply use the Department’s Public Data Portal to download a current list of Board approved Qualified Supervisors. For detailed instructions, use the Licensure Data Download Guide. Obtain a letter from your selected Qualified Supervisor and send to the Board Office.

Before Supervision Begins:

Verify that your intern registration number has been issued by the Department and that the Board Office has approved your Qualified Supervisor. To verify, click here. Supervised experience will not count towards licensure until the intern registration has been issued and the Board has approved your supervisor.

During Supervision:

Two (2) years of post-master’s supervised experience under the supervision of a Board approved Qualified Supervisor is required for full licensure.

The supervised experience must consist of:

• At least 100 hours of supervision in no less than 100 weeks;
• 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients; and,
• One (1) hour of supervision every two (2) weeks.

NOTE: Please see Rule 64B4-2.002, F.A.C., for information regarding group supervision and supervision by electronic methods.

Need to Change or Add a Qualified Supervisor? Follow the steps below:

STEP ONE: Obtain a letter from your new or additional Qualified Supervisor and send to the Board Office. The correspondence must originate from the supervisor with an original signature, include the supervisor’s license number and the applicant’s name as it appears on the application, and state that the supervisor has agreed to provide the applicant with supervision while a registered intern.

STEP TWO: Receive a letter from the Board Office stating that your supervisor has been approved and note the date of approval. Supervision under the new or additional supervisor will not count until he/she has been approved.

Need to Remove a Qualified Supervisor? Follow the steps below:

STEP ONE: Ask the supervisor you are removing to complete the Verification of Clinical Experience Form and select “I am no longer providing this intern with supervision.” Please make sure a supervision end date is listed.

STEP TWO: Submit the Verification of Clinical Experience Form to the Board Office. To submit electronically, click here. The Board will remove your supervisor from your intern file and place a copy of the required form on file for review upon submission of a full licensure application.

After Supervision:

Your post-master’s clinical experience hours obtained under supervision must be documented on the Verification of Clinical Experience Form by the Qualified Supervisor or they will not count towards licensure. To submit electronically, click here. This form is not required until the intern is ready to submit their full licensure application. For information on full licensure requirements and to apply, click here. Please limit one (1) form per Qualified Supervisor.

NOTE: Registered interns must remain under supervision until fully licensed pursuant to Rule 64B4-3.008, F.A.C.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING 

Please send the registration fee of $350 directly to the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) for initial exam and $275 for re-exam.

MHC exam applicants are not required to have Board approval prior to taking the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

Step 1 – Apply to CCE to take the NCMHCE by submitting the CCE Exam Application Form and your official transcript. NOTE: You must have a master’s degree in mental health counseling or related to the practice of mental health counseling from a regionally accredited institution before you are permitted to take the examination.

Step 2 – After passing the examination, your scores will be forwarded to the FL Board Office in 4-6 weeks. Exam transfers must be requested from the exam vendor.

Please click on the link below for the Exam Application Form and NCMHCE Exam Handbook.

https://www.nbcc.org/examinations/ncmhce#ncmhce

Special examination accommodations can be provided for candidates with visual, sensory or physical disabilities that would prevent them from taking the examination under standard conditions; candidates with diagnosed learning or emotional challenges; and candidates for whom English is a second language. Candidates who are Sabbath-observant can also request a non-Saturday examination date. All special examination accommodation requests must be submitted at least 45 days before the exam date and must be on letterhead and signed by the appropriate authority.

Special examination accommodations information and applications are found in the candidate handbook and are available for download from the NBCC website at https://www.nbcc.org/examinations/accommodations#accommodations. These requests must be made through NBCC during the exam registration process. Candidates may contact the special accommodations department by emailing accommodations@cce-global.org.

National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Phone: 336.547.0607 | Fax: 336.547.0017
Email: nbcc@nbcc.org

Special examination accommodations can be provided for candidates with visual, sensory or physical disabilities that would prevent them from taking the examination under standard conditions; candidates with diagnosed learning or emotional challenges; and candidates for whom English is a second language. Candidates who are Sabbath-observant can also request a non-Saturday examination date. All special examination accommodation requests must be submitted at least 45 days before the exam date and must be on letterhead and signed by the appropriate authority.

Special examination accommodations information and applications are found in the candidate handbook and are available for download from the NBCC website at https://www.nbcc.org/examinations/accommodations#accommodations. These requests must be made through NBCC during the exam registration process. Candidates may contact the special accommodations department by emailing accommodations@cce-global.org.

National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Phone: 336.547.0607 | Fax: 336.547.0017
Email: nbcc@nbcc.org

Applicants with Health History

If a “Yes” response was provided to any of the questions in this section, provide the following documents directly to the board office:

A letter from a licensed health care practitioner, who is qualified by skill and training to address the condition identified, which explains the impact the condition may have on the ability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety. The letter must specify that the applicant is safe to practice the profession without restrictions or specifically indicate the restrictions that are necessary. Documentation provided must be dated within one year of the application date.

A written self-explanation, identifying the medical condition(s) or occurrence(s); and current status.

Applicants with Discipline History

Applicants with prior disciplinary actions are required to submit the following:

Board Actions – Certified copies of document(s) relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. The documents must come from the agency that took the disciplinary action and must be certified by that agency.

Self-Explanation – A detailed description of the circumstances surrounding your disciplinary action and a thorough description of the rehabilitative changes in your lifestyle since the time of the disciplinary action which would enable you to avoid future occurrences. It would be helpful to include factors in your life, which you feel may have contributed to your disciplinary action, what you have learned about yourself since that time, and the changes you have made that support your rehabilitation.

Applicants with Criminal History

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following:

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Self Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in their own words describing the circumstances of the offense. Include in your letter the date of the original offense, the charge, and the jurisdiction where it occurred.

To review the conviction record guidelines adopted by the Board, click here.

Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), requires that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
   1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012

You should apply for licensure if you have:

• Completed at least two (2) years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience; and
• Passed the required national examination.

Before submitting your application, review your supervision records to ensure you have completed the required experience. The Board Office does not calculate your supervised experience until a completed licensure application and fee have been received. You must complete the remaining requirements such as background screening and continuing education coursework prior to licensure.

For more information about licensure and to apply, visit the Board’s Licensure page at https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing-renewals/.

For information about registering for the required national examination, visit the Exam Information page at https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/exam-schedule-2/.

If you have experienced an emergency or hardship that prevented you from completing your internship requirements, you may qualify for a one-time extension of your Registered Intern registration.

To qualify, you must:

• Have passed the required national examination.
• Have completed all educational requirements, including the required clinical practicum.
• Sign and submit the Registered Intern Exception Request Form no later than 30 days before your registration expires.

Please note that not passing the national examination does not qualify as an emergency or hardship.

If approved, the Board may grant a one-time extension of 24 months from the expiration date of your original registration.

No additional extensions are authorized under section 491.0045, Florida Statutes.

To request a hardship extension, complete and submit the Registered Intern Exception Request Form available at https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/forms/intern-hardship-form.pdf.

A Provisional License is available only to applicants for licensure by examination or MOBILE endorsement who have:

• Completed the required two (2) years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience; but
• Not yet met all Florida licensure requirements.

A Provisional License allows you to practice under supervision while completing any remaining licensure requirements, such as:

• Required graduate-level coursework;
• Continuing education requirements; or
• Passing the required national examination.

Provisional licensure applications are available upon request and will not be provided until an application by MOBILE endorsement or examination has been received by the Board Office and experience has been verified complete.  Requests can be sent to mqa.491@flhealth.gov.

Provisional licensees are required to meet face-to-face with their supervisor at least one hour per month. A supervisor for a provisional licensee is defined as a Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Mental Health Counselor.

An individual who has held a provisional license issued by the board may not apply for an intern registration in the same profession.

The application fee is $100 and is non-refundable.

This license is valid for 24 months and cannot be renewed.

Registered Intern registrations cannot be renewed. If you have not completed the required two (2) years of post-master’s supervised clinical experience before your registration expires, you may submit a new application for Registered Intern registration.

To qualify, you must meet the current Florida laws and Board rules in effect at the time of application. Please have your qualified supervisor to submit a new letter for Board approval.

If you are applying for a third Registered Intern registration, your application must be reviewed by the full Board at its next available meeting before a decision is made.

To apply, visit the Board’s Licensure page at https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing-renewals/.

The telehealth provider registration is for health care practitioners licensed outside of Florida ONLY. Florida licensees can already provide telehealth services to patients in Florida that they can treat in person.

Florida Practitioners

If you would like to provide services to a client outside of the state of Florida, you must contact the board in the jurisdiction where the patient is located. Not all states permit telehealth service even under emergency circumstances.

Florida Registered Interns

Pursuant to rule 64B4-2.002, Florida Administrative Code, registered interns may provide face-to-face psychotherapy by electronic methods if the registered intern has a written telehealth protocol and safety plan in place with their current qualified supervisor which includes the provision that the qualified supervisor must be readily available during the electronic therapy session.  Additionally, the registered intern and their qualified supervisor must have determined, through their professional judgement, that providing face-to-face psychotherapy by electronic methods is not detrimental to the patient, is necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the patient, the registered intern, or both, and does not violate any existing statutes or regulations.

Qualified supervisors may utilize face-to-face electronic methods, including telephone only communication, to conduct all supervisory sessions for internship hours if the qualified supervisor determines, through their professional judgment, that such methods are not detrimental to the registered intern’s patients and are necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the qualified supervisor, the registered intern, or both.

Any clinical hours obtained via face-to-face psychotherapy by electronic means shall be considered clinical hours for the purpose of meeting internship requirements.

For further information regarding telehealth guidelines, please click here.

Health care practitioners with an out-of-state license or certification that falls under section 456.47(1)(b), F.S, qualify for an out-of-state telehealth provider registration number when they meet the following requirements:

• Submit the completed Application for Out-of-State Telehealth Provider Registration
• Maintain an active, unencumbered license from another state, the District of Columbia, or a possession or territory of the United States (license verification is required);
• Not have a pending investigation, discipline, or revocation on your license within the last five years;
• Designate a duly appointed registered agent for service of process in Florida (see Application for Out-of-State Telehealth Provider Registration)
• Maintain liability coverage or financial responsibility for telehealth services provided to patients in Florida in an amount equal to or greater than Florida health care practitioner requirements
• Not open a Florida office or provide in-person health care services to Florida patients
• Only use a Florida-licensed pharmacy, registered nonresident pharmacy, or outsourcing facility to dispense medicinal drugs to patients in Florida (pharmacists only)

Out-of-State Health Care Practitioners

Out-of-state health care practitioners must be registered with the Florida Department of Health to perform telehealth services for patients in Florida. The out-of-state telehealth provider registration is for health care practitioners licensed outside of Florida ONLY. Florida licensees can already provide telehealth services to patients in Florida that they can treat in person.

Pursuant to section 491.014(4)(d), Florida Statutes, you may practice under a limited basis without a license as specified below:

4. No person shall be required to be licensed, provisionally licensed, registered, or certified under this chapter who:
   4. Is not a resident of this state but offers services in this state, provided:
      1. Such services are performed for no more than 15 days in any calendar year; and
      2. Such nonresident is licensed or certified to practice the services provided by a state or territory of the United States or by a foreign country or province.

The Department has created a website that allows interested parties to review information about Florida telehealth, sign up for updates, and register to become an out-of-state telehealth provider. Learn more about becoming an out-of-state Designated Registered Agent.

For questions, contact the Telehealth Office at MQA.Telehealth@flhealth.gov.