The answer to this question depends on what state you live in and what specialty of counseling you wish to enter. If your specialty of counseling does require a license in your state, you usually must have a master's degree to get that license, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Bureau encourages those entering counseling careers to check the professional counseling licensure requirements of your state.
School Counselors
For instance, states vary on licensure requirements for school counselors. Some states mandate that you must have state certification as a school counselor; this certification may require completing some graduate coursework, but the majority of states require a master's degree for state certification in school counseling, the Bureau maintains. Other states require that school counselors earn continuing education credits to maintain their school counseling license. Still others require all counselors in public schools to maintain certification both in counseling and teaching—along with having teaching experience. All this variation of licensure requirements from state to state and this is only within one counseling specialty!
Marriage & Family Therapists
Every state in the U.S. requires that marriage & family therapists be licensed, according to the Bureau. To attain this license, most states typically require a master's degree in counseling or marriage & family therapy, two years of clinical experience under supervision and that you pass an exam recognized by your state. Also, it is usually required that you maintain the license by participating in continuing education.
Other Counselors
Some counseling specialties, such as substance abuse counselors and behavior disorder counselors, do not always require a master's degree for licensure, and may only require a high school diploma and certification, according to the Bureau. Also, some career counselors working in a college's career center may not need to be licensed at all, depending on their duties.
Professional Organizations
Outside the state licensing process, professional organizations provide voluntary certification for people in various counseling careers. Certification from one or more of these organizations is considered a mark of distinction in the field. The National Board for Certified Counselors is a well-known counseling organization that offers the National Certified Counselor credential by examination. Some states even waive their own counseling licensure exam if you pass the NCC exam. Other professional organizations that provide credentialing include the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. These credentials go a long way on a resume, helping you to be more marketable to employers and to clients if you open a private practice.