Alabama counseling license requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

We have listed some of the most common questions and answers for Alabama counseling continuing education below.

How many CE hours does Alabama require for counselors?

Professionals licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor (LPC-S):
  - 40 hours every 2 years
  - License expires 7/31 every 2 years, based on the year of issuance
- Associate Licensed Counselor (ALC):
  - 10 hours every year
  - License expires every year based on the date of issuance
Professionals with credentials from the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors Certification Board:
- ADC, Senior ADC:
  - 40 hours every 2 years
Professionals with credentials from the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association:
- ADC, AADC, PS, CS:
  - 20 hours every year
Professionals licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT):
  - 40 hours every 2 years
  - License expires on 12/31, based on the year of issuance
- Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (MFT Intern):
  - 10 hours every 2 years
  - License expires on 12/31, based on the year of issuance
- Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (MFT Associate):
  - 20 hours every 2 years
  - License expires on 12/31, based on the year of issuance

Can I earn my continuing education hours through Continued Counseling?

Licensed Professional Counselors:
- Yes, the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling accepts courses by NBCC-approved providers. We have been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484.
  - Explore NBCC courses
Addiction Counselors:
- Yes, the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors and the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association accept courses by NAADAC-approved providers. We are a NAADAC-approved education provider, #283836.
  - Explore NAADAC courses
Marriage and Family Therapists:
- Yes, the Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy accepts courses by NBCC-approved providers. We have been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484.
  - Explore NBCC courses

Licensees are responsible for completing courses that align with the content requirements for their specific license.

Other Information

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC, LPC-S):

A maximum of 10 hours may be obtained through self-study courses.
- Explore self-study courses
30 hours must be obtained through live, interactive courses.
- Explore live courses
6 hours of ethical concerns for practice, assessment, supervision, or research in counseling.
- Explore ethics courses
Supervisors must obtain 5 hours in supervision
- Explore supervision courses

Licensed Professional Counselors (ALC):

A maximum of 2.5 hours may be obtained through self-study courses.
- Explore self-study courses
7.5 hours must be obtained through live, interactive courses.
- Explore live courses
2 hours of ethical concerns for practice, assessment, supervision, or research in counseling.
- Explore ethics courses

Addiction Counselors:

Professionals with credentials from the Alabama Association of Addiction Counselors Certification Board (ADC, Senior ADC):
- No more than 75% of contact hours may be online.
Professionals with credentials from the Alabama Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (ADC, AADC, PS, CS):
- There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
- 4 hours of HIV/AIDS every other year
  - Explore HIV/AIDS courses
- 4 hours of ethics every other year
  - Explore ethics courses

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT):

A maximum of 20 hours may be obtained through self-study courses.
- Explore self-study courses
10 hours of clinical MFT
- Explore clinical MFT courses
6 hours of diagnosis and treatment
- Explore diagnosis and treatment courses
6 hours of professional issues and ethics
- Explore ethics courses
Supervisors must obtain 5 hours in supervision
- Explore supervision courses

Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (MFT Intern):

A maximum of 5 hours may be obtained through self-study courses.
- Explore self-study courses
3 hours of clinical MFT
- Explore clinical MFT courses
3 hours of diagnosis and treatment
- Explore diagnosis and treatment courses
3 hours of professional issues and ethics
- Explore ethics courses
If the MFT Intern is enrolled in a COAMFTE or CACREP MCFC Accredited program, then the continuing education requirement is met.

Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (MFT Associate):

A maximum of 10 hours may be obtained through self-study courses.
- Explore self-study courses
5 hours of clinical MFT
- Explore clinical MFT courses
3 hours of diagnosis and treatment
- Explore diagnosis and treatment courses
3 hours of professional issues and ethics
- Explore ethics courses

Refer to your regulatory agency for current information about your continuing education requirements:

Approval Organizations

American Psychological Association

Continued is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Continued maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors

Continued is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, #283836. Continued is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

National Board for Certified Counselors Approved Continuing Education Provider

Continued has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Continued is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.