Arizona counseling license requirements

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for Arizona counseling continuing education.

How many CE Credits does Arizona require for counselors?

• Professionals licensed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LIAC, LAAC, LACT), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (LAMFT): 

    • 30 hours every 2 years

    • Licenses expire every 2 years, based on the date of issuance

• Addiction Counselors certified by the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors 

  • CAC, CADAC, AADC, CPS, CCS, CCJP: 

    • 40 hours every 2 years

  • CPRS: 

    • 20 hours every 2 years

Can I take my continuing education through Continued Counseling?

• Licensed Professional Counselors/Marriage & Family Therapists/Addiction Counselors: 

  • Yes, the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners accepts courses approved by national organizations related to counseling specialties. We have been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Continued is also a NAADAC Approved Education Provider. 

    • Explore NBCC courses

  • Yes, the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors accepts courses that are accepted by the AZ Board of Behavioral Health.

    • Explore NAADAC courses

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

Licensed Professional Counselors/Marriage & Family Therapists/Addiction Counselors credentialed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (LPC, LAC, LIAC, LAAC, LACT, LMFT, LAMFT):

• There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
• 3 hours of ethics each renewal period
  • Explore ethics courses
• 3 hours of cultural competency and diversity each renewal period
  • Explore cultural competence courses
• Additionally, licensees must complete a 3-hour tutorial on Board Statutes and Regulations. 
  • Tip: The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners offers the Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial.
• In addition to the above requirements, a substance abuse technician, an associate substance abuse counselor, or an independent substance abuse counselor shall ensure that at least 20 of the 30 clock hours of continuing education are in topic areas specifically related to substance abuse. 
  • Explore substance abuse courses

For those with credentials from the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors (CAC, CADAC, AADC, CPS, CCJP):

• All 40 hours of continuing education each renewal period need to be related to substance abuse. 
  • Explore substance abuse courses
• 3 hours of ethics each renewal period
  • Explore ethics courses
• 3 hours of cultural diversity each renewal period
  • Explore cultural diversity courses

CCS: 

• All 40 hours of continuing education each renewal period need to be related to substance abuse. 
  • Explore substance abuse courses
• 3 hours of ethics each renewal period
  • Explore ethics courses
• 3 hours of cultural diversity each renewal period
  • Explore cultural diversity courses
• 6 hours of clinical supervision each renewal period
  • Explore clinical supervision courses 

CPRS: 

• All 20 hours of continuing education each renewal period need to be related to substance abuse. 
  • Explore substance abuse courses
• 6 hours of ethics each renewal period
  • Explore ethics courses
• 3 hours of cultural diversity each renewal period
  • Explore cultural diversity courses

CE Broker Reporting:

• For approved courses, course completions will be reported to CE Broker. You may also self-report to CE Broker. Our provider number for CE Broker is 50-29950.