Licensing & Certification
The Texas Counseling Association does not license, certify, or regulate professional counselors in Texas. TCA is a membership organization that leads, educates and advocates to advance the counseling profession, increase access to professional counselors, and promote wellness.
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) certifies and regulates all educators in Texas, including school counselors. SBEC is administratively attached to the Texas Education Agency and includes 11 voting and 4 non-voting members appointed by the Governor as well as non-voting representatives from TEA and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), established in September 2019, is the agency that administratively houses the boards that regulate LPCs, LMFTs, Social Workers, and Psychologists in Texas. BHEC is comprised of one professional and one public member from each of the four licensing boards as well as one public member appointed by the Governor to serve as Chairperson. BHEC is the entity that processes license applications and upgrades and manages complaints for each licensing board.
The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., and Affiliates (NBCC) is an independent, not-for-profit certification organization established in 1982. NBCC is the entity that administers the licensing examination for professional counselors in Texas. NBCC certification is not required for Texas licensure.
TCA monitors the work of the agencies that regulate professional counselors through volunteer liaisons who attend meetings of the regulatory boards. TCA updates members and submits comments when these boards propose new or revised rules, procedure changes, and public policies that impact professional counselors in Texas.
Links to the agencies that regulate professional counselors are listed below.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBEPC)Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
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Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)
Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (TSBEMFT)Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC)
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Certified School Counselor (CSC)
State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)Texas Education Agency
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National Board for Certified Counselors
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