Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Welcome!
Exam Information
In order to be licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah, applicants must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Applicants should submit an official score report of passing the NCMHCE with their license application.
Apply for a License
STEP 1: Please select the license type you are applying for:
- Master’s or Doctorate degree in Mental Health Counseling program ONLY that is accredited by CACREP. Submit OFFICIAL transcripts
that identify the degree earned and date conferred.
- OR - - Master’s or Doctorate degree in Mental Health Counseling program or equivalent field that is accredited by CHEA. Submit OFFICIAL transcripts that identify the degree earned and date conferred. Submit Course descriptions or syllabus for EACH course Complete and submit the EDUCATIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS pages.
REQUIREMENTS – Before proceeding, the following requirements must be met:
REQUIREMENTS – Before proceeding, the following requirements must be met:
- Submit OFFICIAL transcripts that identify the degree earned and date conferred.
Master’s or Doctorate degree in Mental Health Counseling program or equivalent field that is accredited by CHEA.
- Submit OFFICIAL transcripts that identify the degree earned and date conferred.
- Submit Course descriptions or syllabus for EACH course
- Complete and submit the EDUCATIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS pages.
REQUIREMENTS – Before proceeding, the following requirements must be met:
- Submit OFFICIAL transcripts that identify the degree earned and date conferred.
- Submit Course descriptions or syllabus for EACH course
- Complete and submit the EDUCATIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS pages with the deficiencies identified.
Exam Information
DOPL does not administer CMHC exams. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) now handles the registration and examination process of the NCMHC Exam. Testing is available on a monthly basis.
Renew a License
- Licenses expire on September 30 of even years.
- At least 60 days prior to the expiration date of a license, DOPL will mail a renewal notice to the licensee's address of record as provided to DOPL by the individual licensee. (Failure to notify DOPL of an address change could prevent a licensee from timely receiving renewal notification and other important correspondence from DOPL.)
- Renewal Fees — $93
REQUIREMENTS – Before proceeding with renewal, the following requirements must be met:
Additional Forms
Update Your License Record
Legal Name Change
If your legal name has changed, you must verify the change by submitting a copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, driver's license, or social security card to the Division. If you desire a reprint of your license reflecting the name change, you must also submit a $10 reprint fee with the request.
- EMAIL: doplweb@utah.gov
- FAX: 801-530-6511
- MAIL: PO Box 146741, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6741
Change of Address
You may update your address online in the eGov system.
Laws and Rules
- DOPL Licensing Act, 58-1 (05/08/2018)
- General Rule of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, R156-1. (04/09/2018)
- Mental Health Professional Practice Act, 58-60 (05/08/2018)
- Mental Health Professional Practice Act Rules, R156-60 (08/01/2015)
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Act Rule, R156-60c (01/07/2016)
- Retired Volunteer Health Care Practitioner Act, 58-81 (05/10/2016)
- Utah Health Care Malpractice Act, Title 78B, Chapter 3, Part 4 (05/08/2018)
- Retired Volunteer Health Care Practitioner Act Rule R156-81 (12/18/2018)
Board Members event_seat=Chairperson
| Name | Appointed | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Kenneth D. Roach event_seat | 07/01/2015 | 06/30/2019 |
| David J. Wilde | 07/01/2016 | 06/30/2020 |
| Paul Carver | 07/01/2016 | 06/30/2020 |
| Ashley Alfieri | 09/07/2017 | 06/30/2021 |
| Philip Brueck (Public Member) | 08/21/2018 | 06/30/2022 |
Upcoming Public Meetings
Past Public Meetings
Contact Us
- For general licensing questions call:
- (801) 530-6628
(866) 275-3675 Toll-Free in Utah - Bureau Manager
- Jennifer Zaelit — jzaelit@utah.gov
- Board Secretary
- Jennifer Johnson — jennyajohnson@utah.gov
Websites
Resources
Military Resources
Are you a veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
Contact the Veteran Crisis Line
Members of the armed forces and their families are often more affected than other groups by licensing restrictions because of frequent relocations to fulfill orders. To ease this burden, the Utah Legislature has authorized certain fee waivers and license exemptions for qualifying military personnel and military spouses.
License Fee Waivers
Initial License
DOPL requires a processing fee for initial license applications. This fee varies by profession. The Utah Legislature has authorized initial license
fee waivers for qualifying military service members. Full-time active duty service members should submit the fee waiver request form with their initial
license application. Download the fee waiver request form here.
Inactive License
Qualifying licensees, who wish to maintain their license but who are not currently practicing in the profession, can apply for inactive status. In some cases,
changing a license to inactive status will remove certain CE requirements. The Utah Legislature has authorized fee waivers for qualifying military service
members who change their license to inactive status or who renew an inactive license. Please note that not all professions have inactive status as an option.
To check if your profession has inactive license status, refer to
Utah Administrative Rule R156-1-305.
Full-time active duty service members can download the fee waiver request form for inactive status here.
Licensing for Military Spouses
Spouses of military service members stationed in Utah are permitted to work in licensed professions without obtaining a Utah license as long as they possess an active license from another state or territory of the United States. Since this benefit for military spouses is relatively new, you may need to explain to employers or the public who ask that your out-of-state license is valid because you are a spouse of an active duty service member. To help you, the Division has created a verification letter which you can show your employer or the public that explains this exemption. Download the verification letter here.
Additional Resources
Are you struggling with PTSD, depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction?
The College of Social and Behavioral Science at the University of Utah provides free treatment for veterans, including: therapy sessions, workshops, and a two-week residential treatment program for veterans with PTSD in Park City.
Learn more here.
The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) provides resources for veterans including education, employment, healthcare, and more. Learn more here.