Applying for Licensure

In Illinois, there are several ways to apply for licensure: LPC/LCPC applicant, endorsement, restoration, and reinstatement. The first step in applying is to determine what method of licensure you are applying for:

Licensed Professional Counselor

Licensed Professional Counselors are licensed with only a qualifying degree; they do not need any supervision hours. They may NOT practice independently and must operate at all times under the order, control, and professional responsibility of a qualified supervisor.

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors are licensed at the independent level. LCPCs are able to be in private practice and see clients without being supervised.

Endorsement

Someone applying for endorsement is ACTIVELY licensed as an LPC or LCPC (or equivalent license) in another state or US jurisdiction. Someone who has another state license that is NOT ACTIVE is not eligible for this licensure method. The license must be ACTIVE. An individual who has not completed the required exam(s) will be required to complete them as part of the Illinois licensing process.

Restoration

Someone applying for restoration is attempting to reactivate an Illinois LPC or LCPC license that has been inactive or not renewed for five (5) years or more.

Reinstatement

Someone applying for reinstatement is attempting to reactivate an Illinois LPC or LCPC license that has been inactive or not renewed for LESS THAN five (5) years. Reinstatement applicants have a different process:

• Reinstatement applicants must fill out an online form to receive their reinstatement packet here.
• LCPCs are eligible for reinstatement fee waivers until January 1, 2028.
• Contact IDFPR for more questions:
  • 1-800-560-6420
  • fpr.lmu@illinois.gov
    

Application- NEW Update!

The next step is to fill out the licensure application and submit it to the state licensing board IDFPR (Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) via mail. IDFPR has recently released an online licensure application. (on August 20, 2024)

Applications for Licensed Professional Counselor (178) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (180) licenses may now be completed online. Create an account on IDFPR’s online portal, select the applications, and complete and submit them to the Department! Find helpful checklists for completing your application here.

• You can view the Counselor IDFPR homepage here.
  
• You can download the paper application here.

Fees

The third step is to send in your application fee. Here are the fees to apply for licensure in Illinois:

Fees can be submitted with your application on the IDFPR Online Services Portal.

*If applying via paper application, fees must be sent to IDFPR via check or money order. IDFPR will NOT accept cash payments for licensure application.

Send in Experience- LCPCs only

The fourth step (for LCPCs only) is to send your supervision and clinical experience hours in to IDFPR. There are two ways for this to be accomplished:

1. Have your supervisor mail the completed form to IDFPR's Springfield office, or have your supervisor give you the completed form in a sealed envelope for you to mail.
2. Have your supervisor email the completed form directly to IDFPR.

Either route you take, it is important that you (the applicant) does not see the completed form.

• Verification of Employment/Experience form
  

Wait for Confirmation

Once IDFPR receives your application, you will receive an email notification stating it was received. Your application will be reviewed based on the order in which it was received. IDFPR'S licensing team will email you with any application deficiencies. If no deficiencies are found, you will receive an email notifying you that are eligible to take the necessary exam(s) for licensure. If you have already taken the appropriate exams, you will be notified that you are licensed. 

• You can read more about what exams you must take here.

If You Have Any Questions or Concerns:

Please contact us at:

• ilcounseling.org@gmail.com
• 815-787-8787