Counselor, Mental Health License in Louisiana
Quick Answer
To become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Louisiana, you need a master's degree (60+ hours) from a COAMFTE-accredited program, must pass the National MFT Exam, and complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over 2-7 years.
- Exam
- National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam
- Timeline
- 5-9 years (master's 60+ hours + 3,000 hours internship in 2-7 years)
- Background Check
- Required
Requirements
Counselor, Mental Health license in Louisiana
How to Get Licensed
Step-by-step roadmap to becoming a licensed Counselor, Mental Health in Louisiana.
- 1
Complete Education Requirements
Degree required
- 2
Submit Background Check
Background check required
- 3
Pass the Required Exam
Third-party exam required — National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam
- 4
Submit Your Application
File your application with the licensing agency.
- 5
Receive Your License
Processing typically takes 5-9 years (master's 60+ hours + 3,000 hours internship in 2-7 years).
Counselor, Mental Health Licensing in Louisiana: What to Know
COS returned 'Counselor, Mental Health' which covers both LPC and LMFT tracks. For LMFT: requires master's (at least 60 hours) or doctoral degree from COAMFTE-accredited program, pass the National MFT Exam, and complete 3,000 hours post-graduate clinical services (2,000 direct, 1,000 indirect) with 200 hours supervision (100 individual). Internship must be completed in 2-7 years. Background check required.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to get a Counselor, Mental Health license in Louisiana?
- The process typically takes 5-9 years (master's 60+ hours + 3,000 hours internship in 2-7 years), depending on education completion and exam scheduling.
- What exam do I need for a Counselor, Mental Health license in Louisiana?
- You need to pass the National Marriage and Family Therapy Exam. Third-party exam required
Considering another state?
Compare Counselor, Mental Health requirements across states.
View all states →Data from CareerOneStop (DOLETA/DEED). Last updated: February 15, 2026.