How Many CE Hours Do Licensed Professional Counselors Need? State-by-State Guide (2026)

If you’re a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), continuing education is an essential part of maintaining your professional license.

But how many continuing education (CE) hours do counselors actually need?

The answer depends on the state where you are licensed.

Some states require 20 hours annually, while others require 24 or 30 hours over a two-year renewal period. Many also have separate requirements for professional ethics, clinical supervision, cultural competency, or state-specific laws.

For counselors looking for convenient online training, understanding these differences is important before purchasing a continuing education bundle.

This 2026 guide compares LPC continuing education requirements by state, explains common renewal rules, and helps you find online CE courses appropriate for your professional development.

LPC Continuing Education Requirements by State: 2026 Comparison

The following table compares five states: Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

These states are featured because MindLift Alliance Academy offers state-focused continuing education bundles for their professional counseling communities.

State	Required CE Hours	Renewal Period	Ethics Requirement	Additional Considerations
Texas	24 hours	2 years	6 hours	Distinct-population competency, jurisprudence, LPC-S supervision CE
Virginia	20 hours	1 year	2 hours	Annual renewal and continuing competency rules
Ohio	30 hours	2 years	3 hours	Supervision CE for counselors with an “S” endorsement
Arkansas	24 hours	24 months	3 hours	Statement of intent and board-approved supervisor requirements
Mississippi	24 hours	2 years	6 hours	Jurisprudence, CE reporting, and applicable specialty requirements

The ethics hours shown above are included in each state’s overall CE total, not automatically added to it.

Important: This table covers five states, not all 50. It is a starting point for comparing requirements, not a substitute for checking your individual licensing board.

Texas LPC Continuing Education Requirements

Texas Licensed Professional Counselors generally must complete 24 hours of qualifying continuing education during each two-year renewal period.

Under the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), LPCs must also meet specific subject requirements.

Texas LPC CE Requirements

• 24 total CE hours
• At least 6 hours of ethics
• At least 3 hours addressing competency with a distinct population
• Successful completion of the Texas jurisprudence examination during each renewal period
• Additional supervision CE for counselors maintaining LPC-S status

Texas LPC Supervisors must complete six hours of supervision-related continuing education during the renewal period.

Those supervision hours may count toward the overall 24-hour requirement.

Texas also has rules concerning qualifying CE providers and separate renewal requirements, including human trafficking prevention training.

For official information, visit the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC Renewal Page.

Online CE for Texas LPCs

Online continuing education can be convenient for Texas counselors, provided the activities meet BHEC requirements.

MindLift Alliance Academy offers Texas LPC and LPC-S Continuing Education Bundles designed to support renewal planning.

LPC Supervisors should verify that their chosen package includes appropriate supervision training.

Virginia LPC Continuing Education Requirements

Virginia LPCs generally must complete 20 hours of continuing competency for each annual renewal.

At least two of those hours must emphasize professional ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing behavioral science professions in Virginia.

Virginia LPC CE Requirements

• 20 hours annually
• At least 2 hours of ethics, professional standards, or relevant law
• Qualifying continuing competency activities
• Documentation of completed education
• Annual license renewal

Virginia recognizes qualifying formally organized learning activities and home-study education.

This makes online continuing education a practical option for many counselors.

However, the activity must meet the Virginia Board of Counseling’s standards.

Review Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC115-20-105 for the official requirements.

Online CE for Virginia LPCs

MindLift Alliance Academy offers a Virginia LPC 20-Hour CE Bundle for counselors seeking flexible online education.

Before enrolling, confirm that the included courses meet the applicable Virginia continuing competency requirements.

Ohio LPC and LPCC Continuing Education Requirements

Ohio Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors generally need 30 hours of approved continuing professional education every two years.

Ohio also requires ethics education and supervision-related training for counselors holding a supervision endorsement.

Ohio LPC and LPCC CE Requirements

• 30 total CE hours
• At least 3 hours of ethics
• 3 hours of supervision CE for counselors with an “S” endorsement
• Qualifying professional counseling education
• Renewal through the Ohio licensing system

Ohio permits qualifying distance-learning education, which may allow counselors to complete their CE online.

The provider and course must satisfy applicable Ohio rules.

For official requirements, review Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4757-9-02.

Online CE for Ohio Counselors

MindLift Alliance Academy offers an Ohio Professional Counselor 30-Hour CE Bundle.

The bundle covers several clinical and professional practice subjects.

Note: Counselors with an Ohio supervision endorsement should separately confirm that their supervision-specific CE requirement is satisfied.

Arkansas LPC Continuing Education Requirements

Arkansas Licensed Professional Counselors generally must complete 24 hours of qualifying continuing education during the 24 months preceding renewal.

At least three hours must address ethics relevant to the license.

The remaining hours must relate to counseling and support the licensee’s statement of intent.

Arkansas LPC CE Requirements

• 24 total CE hours
• At least 3 hours of ethics
• Remaining hours relevant to counseling practice and the statement of intent
• Additional supervision CE for board-approved supervisors
• Appropriate documentation for potential audit

Arkansas board-approved supervisors must complete six hours of supervision-related continuing education each renewal period.

Three of those hours must come from designated Arkansas professional organizations or university-associated programs.

This distinction matters when selecting a nationwide online CE package.

For official requirements, review Arkansas Continuing Education Rule 17 CAR § 75-702.

Online CE for Arkansas Counselors

MindLift Alliance Academy offers an Arkansas 24-Hour CE Bundle.

The package combines professional ethics and clinical training.

Counselors should verify course eligibility and any additional supervisor requirements before purchasing.

Mississippi LPC Continuing Education Requirements

Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors generally must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.

At least six hours must involve professional ethics or legal issues related to counseling services.

Mississippi also has additional renewal requirements that counselors should review carefully.

Mississippi LPC CE Requirements

• 24 total CE hours
• At least 6 hours of ethics or legal issues
• Mississippi jurisprudence examination requirements
• Continuing education reporting requirements
• Additional supervision CE for qualified supervisors
• Additional distance-services education for licensees with the applicable designation

Mississippi board-qualified supervisors must complete at least one hour of supervision continuing education annually, totaling at least two hours during the renewal period.

Counselors holding the Distance Professional Services designation also have specific continuing education requirements.

For official information, consult the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors.

Online CE for Mississippi Counselors

MindLift Alliance Academy offers a Mississippi 24-Hour CE Bundle.

The bundle includes professional ethics and clinical practice education.

Counselors should remember that completing a general CE bundle does not replace the jurisprudence examination or other applicable specialty requirements.

Why Do LPC Continuing Education Requirements Vary by State?

Professional counseling licenses are issued and regulated by individual states.

Each licensing board determines its own renewal rules, including acceptable continuing education content and provider qualifications.

This creates important differences across jurisdictions.

For example, Virginia requires 20 hours annually, while Ohio requires 30 hours during a two-year period.

Even when two states require the same total number of hours, they may have different ethics, supervision, or reporting requirements.

Common Areas of Difference

Total CE hours: States establish different minimum education requirements.

Renewal frequency: Some states renew annually, while others use two-year cycles.

Ethics requirements: The number and type of required ethics hours vary.

Supervision education: Approved supervisors may have additional training obligations.

Specialized training: Some jurisdictions require particular subjects or examinations.

Provider acceptance: States determine which organizations and educational activities qualify.

Reporting: Certain states require counselors to report their education through designated systems.

Understanding these differences helps counselors avoid choosing courses that do not meet their licensing needs.

Does NBCC Approval Mean a CE Course Is Accepted in Every State?

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) administers the Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) program.

NBCC ACEPs are authorized to offer NBCC credit for qualifying programs under the organization’s policies.

Many state professional counselor licensing boards recognize NBCC continuing education.

However, NBCC ACEP status does not guarantee that every course meets every state’s renewal requirements.

A state may impose additional rules regarding ethics, supervision, provider qualifications, course format, or required examinations.

Counselors should verify acceptance before purchasing.

You can review the NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider Directory when evaluating a provider.

Can LPCs Complete Their Continuing Education Online?

Many states permit qualifying online continuing education.

Online courses may be delivered through self-paced modules, recorded instruction, structured reading, assessments, or live webinars.

Self-paced education is particularly appealing to counselors with busy clinical schedules.

Benefits of Online CE

• Flexible scheduling
• No travel required
• Access to specialized clinical topics
• Opportunities to study outside working hours
• Convenient completion documentation
• Potential savings through bundled courses

However, online delivery does not automatically establish CE eligibility.

Check whether your state permits the chosen format and whether the specific course meets its requirements.

What Is a Counseling CE Bundle?

A continuing education bundle combines multiple courses into one package.

For example, a 24-hour bundle may include ethics, crisis intervention, cultural competency, telehealth, and other clinical subjects.

A bundle can simplify enrollment and help counselors plan their education.

However, a bundle should be evaluated based on its actual courses, not simply the total number of advertised hours.

Before Purchasing a CE Bundle, Ask:

1. Does the package contain the number of hours I need?
2. Does it include my state’s required ethics training?
3. Is the provider acceptable to my licensing board?
4. Does my state accept the online course format?
5. Are additional supervisor-specific hours required?
6. Does my state require separate examinations or specialty training?
7. Will I receive appropriate completion certificates?

These questions can help you make a more informed decision.

Nationwide Online CE Bundles for Professional Counselors

For counselors who want flexible professional development across several subjects, MindLift Alliance Academy offers a Nationwide 24-Hour Professional Counseling CE Bundle.

The package combines six courses covering clinical and professional practice topics.

Included Course	CE Hours
Crisis Intervention & Management	3
Understanding Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions	6
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Intervention	4
Ethics & Professional Practice	6
Cultural Competency Essentials	3
Telehealth Ethics & Best Practices	2
Total	24

The bundle offers a convenient option for counselors seeking self-paced continuing education.

It is important to remember that a nationwide-oriented package is not automatically sufficient for every state’s license renewal.

Counselors should verify the eligibility of the individual courses and complete any additional state-specific requirements.

Explore the Nationwide 24-Hour CE Bundle

Find State-Specific Counseling CE Bundles

MindLift Alliance Academy also offers State CE Renewal Bundles for counselors in selected states.

These packages are organized around state-focused continuing education needs.

State	Available Bundle
Texas	LPC and LPC-S CE Bundles
Virginia	LPC 20-Hour CE Bundle
Ohio	Professional Counselor 30-Hour CE Bundle
Arkansas	LPC 24-Hour CE Bundle
Mississippi	LPC 24-Hour CE Bundle

A state-focused package can simplify course selection, but individual licensees must confirm that the courses meet their board’s current requirements.

Browse State-Specific CE Bundles

How to Plan Your LPC Continuing Education Before Renewal

A good continuing education plan begins with your license expiration date.

Start by reviewing your state’s current renewal rules and identifying all mandatory subjects.

Next, check your existing CE records to determine which hours you have already completed.

Select qualifying courses that address any remaining requirements.

As you complete training, download your certificates and maintain a record of completion dates and credit hours.

Finally, follow your board’s reporting and renewal instructions.

Beginning early can help prevent last-minute complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About LPC CE Requirements

How many CE hours do LPCs need?

Requirements vary by state. For example, Virginia requires 20 hours annually, Texas requires 24 hours per renewal period, and Ohio requires 30 hours every two years.

Are LPC CE requirements the same in every state?

No. Each state establishes its own requirements for hours, content, providers, and renewal procedures.

How many ethics CE hours do counselors need?

Ethics requirements vary. Among the states covered here, the minimum ranges from two hours in Virginia to six hours in Texas and Mississippi.

Can I complete all my LPC CE online?

Many states permit qualifying online continuing education, but format and provider requirements differ.

Are NBCC-approved CE courses accepted nationwide?

NBCC credit is widely recognized, but acceptance is not automatically guaranteed for every state, license type, or course.

Do LPC Supervisors need additional CE?

Some states impose supervision-specific education requirements. Texas, Ohio, Arkansas, and Mississippi are examples.

Is a 24-hour CE bundle enough for renewal?

It depends on your state and license. Some states require more hours or additional subject-specific training.

Can I use CE hours earned in another state?

Possibly. The deciding factor is whether the education satisfies the requirements of the board that regulates your license.

How do I find my state’s official CE requirements?

Visit your state professional counselor licensing board’s website and review its current continuing education and renewal rules.

Does MindLift Alliance Academy offer state-specific CE bundles?

Yes. MindLift Alliance Academy offers online continuing education packages for counselors in selected states, along with nationwide-oriented professional development bundles.

Final Thoughts: Choose CE Courses Based on Your State’s Requirements

Licensed Professional Counselors must complete continuing education to maintain professional competence and meet applicable license renewal requirements.

However, the number of hours and required subjects vary significantly across states.

Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Arkansas, and Mississippi illustrate how different renewal rules can be, even within the same profession.

Before enrolling in online continuing education, confirm your state’s requirements, review the course content, verify provider eligibility, and plan for any additional examinations or specialty training.

With the right preparation, continuing education can be both convenient and meaningful for your professional growth.

Ready to Complete Your Counseling Continuing Education?

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Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information based on state licensing requirements reviewed in October 2026. It is not legal or licensing advice. State regulations, provider acceptance, and renewal procedures may change. Always verify current requirements with your licensing board before purchasing courses or submitting a renewal application.