Pursuant to
2017 Wisconsin Act 278, beginning August 1, 2018, prior to submitting an application for a credential, an individual may apply to the Department for a determination of whether the individual would be disqualified from obtaining the credential due to his or her conviction record. To apply for a predetermination, please fill out
Form #3085 and submit all required documentation specified on the form. Pursuant to
Wis. Stat. §
111.335(4)(e), the offenses or kinds of offenses that may result in a refusal, bar, or termination of licensure are published under Additional Resources on the left side of this page.
License Information
Fee Reduction
Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 319, beginning August 1, 2018, an applicant for an initial credential may apply for a reduction of the initial credential fee that is equal to 10% of the initial fee. Qualification is based on the federal adjusted gross income being at or below 180% of the federal poverty guideline prescribed for the applicant's family household size by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To determine eligibility please visit the United States Department of Health and Human Services website at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines, prior to submitting Form 3217.
Per
Wis. Stat. § 440.08 (2), the required renewal date for the Professional Counselor credential is 02/28/odd years. Should you receive your initial credential in the months leading up to this date, you are still required to renew your license by the statutorily defined date.
Requirements
Professional Counselor – Training License Requirements
- Complete and submit Professional Counselor Application including required documentation and fees.
- Applicant must be in a position or have an offer for a position as a Professional Counselor in a supervised clinical professional counseling practice.
- The training license shall expire after 48 months.
- A training license may be renewed by the discretion of the Professional Counselor Section.
Pre-Credential Education
Application for Pre-Approval as an Educational Program in Professional Counseling
In accordance with
Wis. Admin. Code § MPSW 14.01, the standards for what constitutes a master's degree equivalency in Professional Counseling will increase on
September 1, 2018. Beginning on this date, students applying for licensure with the Professional Counselor Section will need to demonstrate on their official university transcript that they have completed at least
60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of academic credit in a field closely related to professional counseling or rehabilitation counseling. In addition, students will need to demonstrate completion of specific coursework as part of their academic program in Professional Counseling.
In completing this pre-approval application, please note the Professional Counselor Section is requesting that programs be specific as possible in offering information for Section review. In addition to the application form, there are two additional parts that shall be completed;
-
Alignment of Academic Program Courses with MPSW 14.01 Standards. Part one is designed for a counseling program to provide an overview of how courses are properly aligned with MPSW 14.01 standards.
-
Descriptions of Required Coursework Outlined in MPSW 14.01. Part two is designed for programs to provide specific information for each course and shall include course descriptions and student learning outcomes.
Form 3165 Application For Pre-Approval As An Educational Program In Professional Counseling
Approved Educational Programs in Professional Counseling
According to the equivalency requirement criteria for a degree in Professional Counseling (pursuant to s. MPSW 14.01 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code), a program must have 42 semester hours or 63 quarter hours of academic credit in counseling related courses. These must include a minimum of one course of at least three (3) semester hours or four (4) quarter hours academic credit in: Counseling Theory, Supervised Counseling Practicum, and in six (6) of the other eight (8) content areas.
The following is a list of educational programs reviewed by the Professional Counselor Section of the Joint Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work. The Professional Counselor Section has determined that these programs meet the educational requirements needed for licensure. The Professional Counselor Section has approved these programs for applicants as long as the specific courses from each program that meet the core content areas are taken.
Applicants submitting degrees from the pre-approved program list must have completed all the content areas and have completed 42 credits of counseling related programs. Applicants who have graduated from programs that they started prior to the year of approval will have their degree reviewed against the requirements of equivalency. If the degree meets the content area requirements and the 42-credit minimum, the degree will be approved for licensure.
Note to Educators: If there are any changes to the curriculum, please notify the Professional Counselor Section (care of the Department) immediately so the Section may update the records of the pre-approved courses.
Approved Programs
60-Credit Approved Programs
Application for Licensure
| Form | Description |
|---|
|
1962 | Professional Counselor Licensing Application This includes Professional Counselor by Examination, Reciprocity, Temporary, and Training License. |
| 3217 | Application for Fee Reduction (This form must accompany the application for the credential) |
|
1960 | Professional Counselor Certificate of Professional Education Form Not required for Reciprocal License. |
|
2239 | Professional Counselor Curriculum Requirements Form Required if degree is not in professional counseling or otherwise approved degree. |
|
2464 | Affidavit of Applicant's Competencies - Documentation of Clinical Experience Gained Under Training License Supervisor Not required for Training License or Reciprocal License. |
| 2456 | Professional Counselor Post-Graduate Supervisor Approval Form |
|
2921 | Application to Renew Current Marriage and Family Therapist or Professional Counselor Training License |
|
2829
| Malpractice Suits or Claims Form (if applicable) |
|
3085 | Application for Predetermination |
|
2252
| Convictions and Pending Charges |
|
3071 | Fax Payment Form |
| 3219 | Application for Re-Registration (For credentials expired five (5) years or more) |
Application for Psychometric Testing
| Form | Description |
|---|
|
2579
| Affidavit of Supervisor in Support of Application to Engage in Psychometric Testing |
|
2578 | Application to Engage in Psychometric Testing |
Application for Substance Abuse Specialty
Pursuant to 2017 Wisconsin Act 262, as of April 11, 2018, Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Clinical Social Workers who practice as a substance abuse clinical supervisor or provide substance abuse counseling, treatment, or prevention services within the scope of their licensure are no longer required to obtain the substance abuse specialty or substance abuse credentials.