If you hold a Licensed Professional Counselor credential in Texas, staying current with your Texas LPC CE requirements is a non-negotiable part of keeping that license active—and doing the meaningful work you’ve built your career around. The good news is that once you understand exactly what’s required, the process becomes far less overwhelming. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about LPC continuing education in Texas, from total hours to category breakdowns, so you can plan thoughtfully and invest in growth that genuinely moves you forward.
- Total CE hours required per renewal cycle: 24 hours
- Renewal cycle length: 2 years
- Ethics hours required: 3 hours (included in the 24)
- Regulatory body: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- CE providers must be approved by TDLR or a recognized accrediting body
- Renewal deadline is tied to your individual license expiration date
What Are the Texas LPC CE Requirements?
Texas licensed professional counselors are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. This requirement is overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which took over regulation of LPCs from the former Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBEP) in 2019.
Your license renewal deadline is specific to you—it’s based on the expiration date printed on your license. That means it’s worth noting your personal deadline and building your CE plan around it, rather than assuming a universal calendar date applies to everyone.
Here’s the foundational framework to keep in mind:
- 24 total CE hours are required per renewal cycle
- At least 3 of those hours must be in ethics
- CE must come from TDLR-approved providers or recognized organizations
- You must keep documentation of completed CE in case of an audit
If you’re also pursuing LPC-S (Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor) status or already hold that credential, additional training requirements apply. The 40 Hour LPC Supervisor Training in Frisco, TX | MindLift Alliance Academy and 40 Hour LPC Supervisor Training in Lubbock, TX | MindLift Alliance Academy are two options designed specifically for Texas counselors ready to take that step.
Breaking Down the Required CE Categories
Not all 24 hours are treated equally. While Texas gives counselors meaningful flexibility in choosing topics, there are specific categories to be aware of as you plan your LPC CEU hours in Texas.
Ethics (Required)
A minimum of 3 hours must be dedicated to ethics. This is a non-negotiable requirement and must be completed within every renewal period, regardless of whether you completed ethics training recently.
General CE (Flexible)
The remaining 21 hours fall under general continuing education. TDLR allows these hours to cover a broad range of topics relevant to professional counseling practice, including:
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Treatment modalities (CBT, DBT, EMDR, trauma-focused approaches, etc.)
- Multicultural competence and cultural humility
- Telehealth and technology in practice
- Supervision and consultation
- Specific populations (children, adolescents, couples, families)
- Substance use and co-occurring disorders
This flexibility is genuinely valuable. It means you can direct your learning toward the areas that are most relevant to the people you serve—rather than checking boxes that have little connection to your actual practice.
A Note on LPC-Associate Requirements
If you are currently licensed as an LPC-Associate, your CE requirements differ from those of a fully licensed LPC. Be sure to verify your specific requirements directly with TDLR, as the renewal structure for associates includes supervision requirements alongside CE.
Ethics Hours: Why They Matter Beyond Compliance
It can be tempting to view the ethics requirement as just another box to check. But the truth is, ethical practice is the foundation of every therapeutic relationship—and the landscape of ethical challenges in counseling continues to evolve.
Telehealth ethics, social media boundaries, dual relationships in small communities, and informed consent in the digital age are all areas that have grown more complex in recent years. Ethics training keeps you grounded in both the letter and the spirit of your professional responsibilities.
The ACA State Professional Counselor Licensure Boards resource is a helpful reference point for understanding how ethics requirements fit into broader licensure frameworks across states.
Strong ethics training also protects the people you work with. When you invest real attention in your ethics hours—rather than rushing through them—you come away with clearer thinking about boundary situations, documentation practices, and the kinds of nuanced decisions that show up in real clinical work.
How to Find Approved CE Providers in Texas
Finding quality, approved CE doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are the most reliable ways to identify providers whose hours will count toward your Texas LPC renewal:
Check the TDLR Website Directly
TDLR maintains guidance on approved CE providers and acceptable sources. Visiting the Texas LPC License Renewal Requirements page is always the safest starting point when you have questions about whether a specific provider or course qualifies.
Look for NBCC-Approved Providers
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) approves providers across the country, and NBCC-approved CE is generally accepted in Texas. You can explore approved providers through the NBCC Certification Renewal and CE Requirements page. This is particularly useful if you hold NCC credentials in addition to your Texas LPC.
Professional Associations
Organizations like the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) and the American Counseling Association regularly offer workshops, webinars, and conferences that provide approved CE credit. These settings also offer something that online-only courses sometimes can’t: genuine connection with peers navigating similar questions.
Academies and Training Programs
Practice-affiliated training programs—like the MindLift Alliance Academy—offer coursework designed for working counselors. Whether you’re pursuing supervisor training or looking for professional development in specialized areas, these programs are built around the realities of counseling practice rather than abstract theory.
If you’re also supporting counselors in other states, it may be worth noting that MindLift Academy offers resources like the Mississippi LPC License Renewal CE | 24-Hour CE Bundle | MindLift Academy for counselors navigating renewal requirements outside Texas.
Tips for Planning Your CE Hours Without the Last-Minute Stress
If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling to complete CE hours in the final weeks before your renewal deadline, you’re not alone. But a little planning goes a long way—and it makes the experience feel far more like genuine professional development and far less like a sprint.
Start in the First Six Months of Your Renewal Cycle
Rather than treating CE as something to handle later, think of the first six months of your renewal period as the ideal time to complete six to eight hours. That pace spreads the work out comfortably and leaves room for unexpected busy seasons.
Choose Topics That Serve Your Current Caseload
The most valuable CE hours are the ones that connect directly to the work in front of you. If you work with teens, lean into adolescent mental health training. If you serve couples, consider deepening your skills in relationship-focused modalities. This approach transforms CE from obligation into investment.
Keep Your Documentation Organized as You Go
TDLR requires that you maintain records of completed CE for potential audits. Create a simple folder—digital or physical—where you store certificates immediately after completing each course. Trying to reconstruct that documentation at renewal time is far more stressful than building the habit from the start.
Mix Formats to Fit Your Schedule
Online CE, live webinars, in-person workshops, and multi-day conferences all have their place. Online formats offer flexibility for counselors with full caseloads and family responsibilities. In-person trainings offer depth of engagement and networking. A mix of both tends to serve most counselors well.
Set a Calendar Reminder Six Months Before Your Expiration Date
Your license expiration date is the anchor for your entire renewal timeline. Set a reminder at the six-month and three-month marks so you’re never caught off guard.
Investing in CE as Part of Your Growth as a Counselor
Counselor professional development in Texas is, at its best, not just about meeting a regulatory threshold. It’s about staying alive to your own learning—about remaining the kind of practitioner who genuinely grows alongside the people you serve.
The field of mental health care is always evolving. Research on trauma therapy continues to deepen. Cultural competence frameworks are becoming more nuanced. New tools, ethical considerations, and populations are consistently reshaping what it means to practice well. Engaging with that evolution through your CE hours is one of the most meaningful things you can do for your practice.
It’s also worth thinking about where you want to be in your career five years from now. Are you interested in supervision? Specializing in a particular modality? Building a stronger foundation in working with specific communities? Your CE choices can begin to move you in that direction—intentionally, over time. Counselors in Texas who are drawn toward supervision roles, for example, might consider the 40 Hour LPC Supervisor Training in Frisco, TX | MindLift Alliance Academy as a meaningful next step in that journey.
The CACREP 2016 Standards for Counseling Programs offer a useful framework for thinking about the breadth of knowledge that underlies quality counseling practice—and can serve as a helpful lens as you evaluate what areas you’d like to develop further.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas LPC CE Requirements
How many CE hours do I need to renew my Texas LPC?
Texas LPCs must complete 24 CE hours during each two-year renewal period, including a minimum of 3 hours in ethics.
Can I carry over CE hours to my next renewal cycle?
No. Texas does not allow CE hours completed in excess of the 24-hour requirement to carry over into the next renewal period.
Does online CE count toward Texas LPC renewal?
Yes, online CE from TDLR-approved or NBCC-approved providers generally counts toward Texas LPC renewal. Always verify with TDLR if you’re uncertain about a specific provider.
What happens if I don’t complete my CE hours before my license expires?
Practicing with an expired license is a serious professional and legal issue. If you’re behind on hours, it’s best to contact TDLR directly to understand your options rather than continuing to practice without a current license.
Where do I renew my Texas LPC license?
License renewal is completed through the TDLR online portal. You can find current renewal instructions on the Texas LPC License Renewal Requirements page.
Moving Forward with Clarity and Intention
Meeting your Texas LPC CE requirements doesn’t have to feel like a burden layered on top of an already full professional life. With a clear understanding of what’s required, a thoughtful plan for spreading hours across your renewal cycle, and an intentional approach to the topics you choose, continuing education becomes something you can genuinely look forward to.
You became a counselor because this work matters to you. Your ongoing professional development is an extension of that same commitment—to the people you serve, and to yourself as a practitioner who keeps growing.
If you’re ready to explore supervisor training or professional development opportunities through MindLift Alliance Academy, we’re here to support that next step. Whenever you’re ready, we’d be glad to help you find the right fit.