1. Two Boards, Four Situations
Nevada licenses marriage and family therapists and clinical professional counselors through the Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors (the MFT/CPC Board, under NRS 641A). It licenses clinical social workers through the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers (BESW, under NRS 641B). Each board has its own endorsement statute, its own fees and its own treatment of hours earned elsewhere. Nothing from one board's rules carries over to the other.
| You are | Board | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed MFT or counselor elsewhere | MFT/CPC Board | License by endorsement (NRS 641A.242). |
| Still accruing MFT or counseling hours | MFT/CPC Board | Nevada intern license, with a request for prior-experience credit (NAC 641A.146(6)). |
| Licensed social worker elsewhere | BESW | Endorsement (NRS 641B.270, 641B.272). |
| Still accruing clinical social work hours | BESW | Nevada post-graduate internship; out-of-state hours may be submitted (NAC 641B.150(6), as amended by R103-23). |
2. Nevada MFT and CPC Reciprocity: Licensed Elsewhere
The MFT/CPC Board issues a license by endorsement to an applicant who holds "a corresponding valid and unrestricted license" in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States. The applicant must show no discipline by the other licensing authority and no civil or criminal malpractice liability, and must supply fingerprints, an affidavit, fees and any other information the Board requires (NRS 641A.242(1), (2); NRS 641A.213 for fingerprints). The Board runs separate online forms named "MFT License by Reciprocity" and "CPC License by Reciprocity".
The board page lists these steps: a background check, the $75.00 application, a copy of your ID, a license verification from your current state board, a fingerprint waiver, an NPDB self-query ("around $4.00"), and then the $30.00 license issuance fee. The Board's Background Check Procedure lists a $40.00 Department of Public Safety fingerprint fee effective October 1, 2026.
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Application, license by endorsement | $75 | NAC 641A.105(1)(a) |
| Initial issuance, license by endorsement | $30 | NAC 641A.105(1)(a) |
| Fingerprint submission | $40.00 | Background Check Procedure |
| NPDB self-query | Around $4.00 | Board page |
| Biennial renewal | $450 | NAC 641A.105(1)(a) |
Arithmetic, not a published total: $75 + $30 = $105 in Board fees, and adding the $40.00 fingerprint fee and the NPDB query of around $4.00 comes to about $149. For endorsement, NRS 641A.290(2) says the Board shall collect not more than one-half of the application and issuance fees from active military members, their spouses, veterans and surviving spouses. The board's reciprocity page publishes no reduced amount, so confirm it with the Board. Half of $75 and $30 would be $37.50 and $15 (arithmetic, not a published fee). NRS 641A.235(3) has the Board prorate initial application and issuance fees by the months remaining before the license expires, so confirm your amounts with the Board.
Two time limits apply. The Board must give written notice of missing information not later than 15 business days after receiving the application, and, unless the Board denies the application for good cause, the license must issue not later than 45 days after the Board receives all the additional information. The license may be issued between meetings by the Board President, and the Board may grant a provisional license (NRS 641A.242(3)-(5)). The 45 days runs from a complete file.
Full MFT and CPC licenses expire on January 1 of each even-numbered year (NRS 641A.235(2)). The board page says the reciprocity cohort's licenses "will expire by 1/1/2028 regardless of issue date", with a $450.00 renewal fee. The Nevada license renewal and CE requirements guide has the renewal rules.
The Counseling Compact
The Counseling Compact is ratified in Nevada at NRS 641A.305. The MFT/CPC Board's compact page says Nevada "anticipate[s] being able to actively participate in the compact starting on an unspecified date." The board's site does not reference a compact for marriage and family therapists. For a counselor, the Nevada CPC intern requirements guide covers the license Nevada issues, and CPC vs LPC in Nevada explains the title.
3. MFT and CPC: Still Accruing Hours
NRS 641A.242 is written for an applicant who holds a license. If you are still accruing hours for one, the Nevada route is the intern license: an MFT intern must "obtain a license as a marriage and family therapist intern before beginning the supervised experience" (NRS 641A.287(1)), and NRS 641A.288(1) sets the same duty for a clinical professional counselor intern. The application carries official graduate transcripts, a government ID and fingerprints (NAC 641A.065(1)), plus a proposed internship plan and the supervision agreement naming the proposed supervisors (NAC 641A.156(1)(b)). An intern needs at least two Board-approved supervisors before beginning (NAC 641A.178(1)). Fees are $150 for the application and $60 for issuance (NAC 641A.105(1)(a); the board's internship application processing page), and NAC 641A.105(2) halves them for applicants for an initial intern license. NRS 641A.235(3) has the Board prorate initial application and issuance fees by the months remaining before the license expires, so confirm your amounts with the Board.
Hours you earned before moving go through a separate request made at the same time. The Board "may approve" prior experience gained before the intern license: not more than 750 hours of direct contact with clients and 150 hours of supervision, plus any number of related-work hours. You ask for it "at the time" you submit the application, with documentation from the state of licensure or a letter from an approved supervisor (NAC 641A.146(6)-(8)). For active-duty military members and spouses, the Board may approve any number of hours (NAC 641A.146(7)).
Worked example (arithmetic only): a counselor arrives with 1,100 direct contact hours from another state. The Board may approve at most 750 of them. The full license requires 1,500 direct contact hours (NAC 641A.146(5)(a)), so if the Board approved the full 750, 750 would remain. Approval is the Board's decision.
Once the intern license issues, the Nevada rules for each track apply: see the Nevada MFT intern requirements, the Nevada CPC intern requirements and Nevada MFT and CPC intern supervision. The Nevada six-month internship report is the recurring filing.
4. Nevada LCSW Reciprocity: Licensed Elsewhere
BESW's Licensure Level Explanations (Narrative 2026) say every level can be licensed by endorsement, and that endorsement needs "a current and unrestricted license in another state(s)" (Narrative 2026; NRS 641B.270; NRS 641B.272). Applying for the LCSW by endorsement uses a different application from the internship. NAC 641B.150(1) exempts endorsement applicants from completing the Nevada internship program. The Narrative 2026 still lists a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-graduate internship, the equivalent ASWB exam and a CSWE-accredited degree among the endorsement qualifications, and says simply being licensed in another state is not sufficient.
The board's Fee Schedule lists $125.00 for endorsement. NAC 641B.115 also lists a $50.00 initial application fee, and the board's fee table and the published NAC differ on endorsement amounts, so confirm the total with the Board. After issuance, all BESW licenses renew annually (NRS 641B.280; NAC 641B.110): $187.50 for an LCSW and $125 for an LMSW. The Nevada LCSW requirements guide covers what the Nevada license involves.
No Social Work Licensure Compact appears in NRS 641B. The chapter, checked October 9, 2026, mentions a compact only once: the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact in NRS 641B.040(3). The BESW pages reviewed publish no social work compact.
5. Social Work: Still Accruing Hours
The Nevada internship requires a current Nevada LMSW and a passing ASWB Masters score (BESW Clinical Internship Program Policy; Narrative 2026), and the program must be approved before it starts (NAC 641B.150(1)(a)). An applicant who is not yet licensed as a clinical social worker may submit evidence of supervised postgraduate clinical social work in another state, the District of Columbia or a territory within the immediately preceding 3 years "for its consideration as part of a program approved by the Board" if the other licensing board verifies it directly (NAC 641B.150(6), as amended by R103-23). R103-23 struck the earlier "substantially equivalent" test. For hours earned in another state, the Infosheet says to reach out to the Board.
R103-23 also added a rule that runs the other way. While in an approved Nevada internship, an intern shall not "Hold a postgraduate internship in another jurisdiction" or "Engage in the practice of social work outside this State" (NAC 641B.150(2), as amended by R103-23). The Policy adds that the intern and clinical supervisor must live in Nevada or designated border communities; the Infosheet says the intern must be living and practicing in Nevada. The Nevada LCSW internship guide covers the program itself.
6. Common Mistakes
Treating the two boards as one process
The MFT/CPC Board charges $75 and $30 for endorsement (NAC 641A.105(1)(a)); the BESW Fee Schedule lists $125.00 for endorsement, and NAC 641B.115 also lists a $50.00 initial application fee, so confirm the total with that Board. Each has its own application and its own statute.
Reading the 45 days as the whole wait
The 15 business days is the deadline for notice of missing information, and the 45 days runs from receipt of all the additional information (NRS 641A.242(3)-(5)).
Applying for endorsement without a valid, unrestricted license
NRS 641A.242(1) asks for a corresponding valid and unrestricted license, with no discipline and no malpractice liability.
Leaving the prior-experience request out of the intern application
The request is made at the time the application is submitted, with documentation from the state of licensure or a letter from an approved supervisor (NAC 641A.146(6)-(8)).
Having hours verified by someone other than the other board
Out-of-state hours may be submitted for the Board's consideration only if the other licensing board submits the verification directly (NAC 641B.150(6), as amended by R103-23). The Infosheet says to reach out to the Board about hours earned in another state.
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Related Nevada Licensure Guides
Nevada MFT Intern Requirements
The MFT-Intern to Marriage and Family Therapist requirements set by the MFT/CPC Board.
Nevada CPC Intern Requirements
The CPC-Intern to Clinical Professional Counselor requirements set by the MFT/CPC Board.
Nevada LCSW Requirements
The LMSW internship to LCSW requirements set by the Board of Examiners for Social Workers.
Nevada LCSW Internship
The BESW post-graduate clinical internship program.
CPC vs LPC in Nevada
Why Nevada's counselor license is titled Clinical Professional Counselor.
How to Become a Therapist in Nevada
The MFT, CPC and LCSW tracks compared across both boards.
Nevada License Renewal and CE Requirements
Renewal cycles, fees and continuing education for both Nevada boards.
All Nevada Guides
Every Nevada licensure guide in one place.
FAQ: Nevada License by Endorsement
Does Nevada have reciprocity for LCSWs?▾
Nevada calls it endorsement. The Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers says endorsement is available at all levels and requires a current and unrestricted license in another state (NRS 641B.270; expedited processing under NRS 641B.272). It is a separate application from the post-graduate internship. NAC 641B.150(1) exempts endorsement applicants from completing the Nevada internship program, but the Narrative 2026 still lists a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-graduate internship, the equivalent ASWB exam and a CSWE-accredited degree among the endorsement qualifications, and says simply being licensed in another state is not sufficient. The board's Fee Schedule lists $125.00 for endorsement; NAC 641B.115 also lists a $50.00 initial application fee, and the board's fee table and the published NAC differ on endorsement amounts, so confirm the total with the Board.
How do I transfer my MFT or counseling license to Nevada?▾
Apply to the Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors for a license by endorsement. You need a corresponding valid and unrestricted license from the District of Columbia or a state or territory, no discipline, no civil or criminal malpractice liability, fingerprints and an affidavit (NRS 641A.242(1), (2)). The board's steps include a $75 application and a $30 issuance fee.
How long does MFT or CPC endorsement take in Nevada?▾
The statute sets two time limits. The Board must give written notice of missing information not later than 15 business days after receiving the application, and, unless the Board denies the application for good cause, must issue the license not later than 45 days after receiving all the additional information (NRS 641A.242(3)-(5)). The 45 days therefore starts when your file is complete, not on the day you apply. The Board may also grant a provisional license.
What does Nevada endorsement cost?▾
For MFT and CPC, the endorsement application is $75 and initial issuance is $30 (NAC 641A.105(1)(a)), plus a $40.00 fingerprint fee effective October 1, 2026 and an NPDB self-query the board page puts at around $4.00. For endorsement, NRS 641A.290(2) says the Board shall collect not more than one-half of the application and issuance fees from active military members, their spouses, veterans and surviving spouses; the board's reciprocity page publishes no reduced amount, so confirm it with the Board. NRS 641A.235(3) has the Board prorate initial application and issuance fees by the months remaining before the license expires, so confirm your amounts with the Board. For social work, the board's Fee Schedule lists $125.00 for endorsement, and NAC 641B.115 also lists a $50.00 initial application fee, so confirm the total with the Board.
Does the Counseling Compact let me practice in Nevada now?▾
Not as described on the board's site. The Counseling Compact is ratified in Nevada at NRS 641A.305, and the MFT/CPC Board's page says it anticipates being able to actively participate in the compact starting on an unspecified date. The board's site does not reference a compact for marriage and family therapists. Until a start date is published, the endorsement route in NRS 641A.242 is the one the board describes.
Can I bring supervised hours from another state?▾
It depends on the board. For MFT and CPC, the Board may approve prior experience requested with the intern application: not more than 750 direct contact hours and 150 supervised hours (NAC 641A.146(6)). For social work, supervised postgraduate clinical hours from the preceding 3 years may be submitted if the other licensing board verifies them directly (NAC 641B.150(6), as amended by R103-23).
Is there a Social Work Licensure Compact in Nevada?▾
No Social Work Licensure Compact appears in NRS 641B. The chapter was checked on October 9, 2026, and its only compact reference is the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact in NRS 641B.040(3). The Board of Examiners for Social Workers pages that were reviewed do not publish a social work compact either. A social worker moving to Nevada uses endorsement or the internship.
Requirements verified against NRS 641A (Rev. 9/9/2026), NAC 641A (Rev. 4/13/2026), NRS 641B, NAC 641B read with LCB regulation R103-23, and board documents, as published October 2026. Statutes, rules and fees can change. Confirm current requirements with the Nevada MFT/CPC Board or the Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers before making decisions about your licensure path. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.