What the LLPC License Is
LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing issues the limited licensed counselor license under Part 181 of the Public Health Code. The statute defines it in lowercase, a "limited licensed counselor" (MCL 333.18101(c)), and LARA's active-license report calls it "Limited Licensed Counselor." LLPC is the common abbreviation for the credential, not a term the statute or rules spell out.
A person holds the LLPC after earning a master's or doctoral degree in counseling from a qualified program (MCL 333.18101(f)) and before the licensed professional counselor (LPC) license issues. The rule sets two paths to get there: "not less than 3,000 hours accrued in not less than a 2-year period, with not less than 100 hours of regularly scheduled supervision" for a master's degree, or "not less than 1,500 hours accrued over not less than a 1-year period, with not less than 50 hours" of supervision for a doctoral degree (R 338.1774(1)(c)(i), (ii)). As of September 23, 2026, LARA counted 2,526 active LLPC holders and 10,556 active LPC holders statewide (BPL active license counts, September 23, 2026).
Who Holds an LLPC and What It Permits
An LLPC practices counseling only under supervision. The statute requires "at least 2 years of counseling experience under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor" and bars licensure "before completing 1 year" of it (MCL 333.18107(1)(c)). That work has to happen in "an organized education, business, health, private practice, or human services setting," with "an opportunity to work with a broad range of the population" (R 338.1774(1)(c)).
The supervising LPC has to be in good standing and meet R 338.1781. For anyone first supervising on or after May 5, 2022, that means completing supervision training and holding "not less than 5 years of post-master's practice in counseling," or holding the Approved Clinical Supervisor credential from CCE (R 338.1781(1)). Supervision itself happens "in the immediate physical presence of the supervisor or via 2-way real-time audiovisual technology that allows direct, contemporaneous interaction by sight and sound" (R 338.1774(1)(c)).
On quantity, the rule sets only a total: not less than 100 hours of regularly scheduled supervision for the 3,000-hour path (50 for the doctoral path). Michigan states no direct-hour category, no weekly or monthly supervision rate, and no individual-versus-group split for this track; the rule is silent on all three. For more, see Michigan LLPC supervision requirements.
The Professional Disclosure Statement
Every Michigan counseling licensee gives a professional disclosure statement to each prospective client before counseling begins (MCL 333.18113(1)), listing name, business address, phone, a description of practice, education and experience, a fee schedule, and LARA's own name, address and phone (MCL 333.18113(2)). Changes have to be filed within 30 days (MCL 333.18113(3)).
An LLPC's statement has to add three more things: that the LLPC practices under the supervision of a Michigan LPC in good standing, that supervising LPC's name, business address and phone, and "a signed statement from the supervising licensed professional counselor about the licensed professional counselor's supervising qualifications, including how the supervising licensed professional counselor in this state satisfies the requirements in R 338.1781(1) and (2)" (R 338.1772(c)). LARA's guide states the consequence plainly: the license "cannot be issued without a Professional Disclosure Statement(s) on file."
The 1-Year Term and 10-Year Renewal Limit
The LLPC runs for 1 year. It "may be renewed annually, but for no more than 10 years. Relicensure of the limited license is considered the same as renewal" (R 338.1777(3)). LARA's guide states the same ceiling as "eligible for renewal no more than 10 times."
An LLPC short on hours near the 10-year mark can request up to three 1-year hardship extensions. The written request has to reach the board "not less than 30 days before the last regularly scheduled board meeting before the expiration date" and cover the ten items listed in R 338.1777(4)(a) to (j): the hardship, its cause, remedies tried, whether it still exists, hours completed and hours left, every supervisor and employer with dates, exam attempts, and any earlier request, emailed to BPLHelp@michigan.gov. LARA's guide is direct about the outcome: "The board does not automatically grant the request ... The board may deny the request" (Extension Request Guidelines, rev. 12/12/23).
LLPC Fees
LARA processes every fee through MiPLUS by card only. The LLPC application, which includes the first 1-year license, costs $88.10. Renewal costs $27.50, available up to ten times. Relicensure, counted the same as a renewal, costs $108.10 (Counseling licensing guide, rev. 1/26/2026).
LLPC vs LPC at a Glance
The two credentials differ on supervision, term length and fees. Neither owes continuing education beyond the implicit bias and human trafficking training every licensee owes, and the exam sits on the LPC side of the line, not the LLPC side.
| Dimension | LLPC | LPC |
|---|---|---|
| Supervision | Required, under a Michigan LPC (MCL 333.18107(1)(c)) | Practices "without supervision" (MCL 333.18101(b)) |
| Term | 1 year, renewable up to 10 years (R 338.1777(3)) | 3 years (guide) |
| Continuing education | None beyond implicit bias and human trafficking training | None beyond implicit bias and human trafficking training |
| Fees (guide, rev. 1/26/2026) | $88.10 application, $27.50 renewal, $108.10 relicensure | $259.05 application, $198.45 renewal, $279.05 relicensure |
| National exam | Not required to hold the license | Required for the application (R 338.1774(1)(d)) |
The Exam Comes With the LPC Application, Not the LLPC
Passing a national exam is a requirement for the LPC application itself, not for holding the LLPC (R 338.1774(1)(d)). An applicant can meet it with one of three exams: the National Counselor Examination (NCE, NBCC), the certified rehabilitation counselor examination (CRCC), or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE, NBCC), each passed at the score the testing body sets (R 338.1773). LARA's guide notes that "scores from only one testing organization are required." No rule ties the exam to a particular point in the LLPC's term.
Restricted Titles
Michigan reserves four titles to people licensed under Part 181: "licensed professional counselor," "licensed counselor," "professional counselor," and "l.p.c." (MCL 333.18105(3)). The limited licensee's own statutory title is "limited licensed counselor" (MCL 333.18101(c)).
Common Mistakes About the LLPC
Common errors about the LLPC, and what the rules and guides actually say.
Assuming supervision has a monthly or weekly rate
The rule sets a 100-hour total for the 3,000-hour path (50 for the doctoral path), not a rate, and says nothing about splitting it between individual and group. Michigan is silent on both.
Counting hours earned before the limited license issued
Supervision "begins on the issuance of the limited license and continues until the licensed professional counselor license is issued" (R 338.1774(1)(c)(i)). Work done before that date does not count toward the 3,000.
Assuming the LPC exam has to be taken while holding the LLPC
The exam is a requirement for the LPC application, not the limited license (R 338.1774(1)(d)); no rule ties it to a particular point in the LLPC's term.
Track Your Hours From Day One
Log your hours once, by week and by supervisor. The running totals stay ready for whenever you need them.
- ✓Log hours by week
- ✓Running totals kept per supervisor
- ✓Running totals by category
- ✓An export history
Built for pre-licensed clinicians.
Related Michigan Counseling Guides
Michigan LPC Requirements
The 3,000-hour total and the 2-year minimum duration.
Michigan LLPC Supervision Requirements
The 100-hour total and who may supervise an LLPC.
Michigan Counseling Work Experience Form
What the one-page form asks the applicant and the supervisor to certify.
How to Become a Therapist in Michigan
The three LARA-regulated tracks side by side.
Michigan LLMFT Hours Requirements
The 1,000-hour total and the 200 hours of supervision.
FAQ: What Is an LLPC in Michigan?
What is an LLPC in Michigan?▾
LLPC is the common abbreviation for the limited licensed counselor license (MCL 333.18101(c)), held by someone with a qualifying counseling degree who is accruing supervised hours toward the licensed professional counselor (LPC) license. As of September 23, 2026, LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing counted 2,526 active LLPC holders and 10,556 active LPC holders statewide.
What does LLPC stand for?▾
The common shorthand for the limited licensed counselor license. The statute itself uses the lowercase phrase "limited licensed counselor" (MCL 333.18101(c)) and never spells out the abbreviation LLPC; LARA's active-license report calls the credential "Limited Licensed Counselor." LLPC is a community convention, not a term the statute defines.
How many hours does an LLPC need to become an LPC?▾
Not less than 3,000 hours accrued in not less than a 2-year period, with not less than 100 hours of regularly scheduled supervision, for a master's degree; not less than 1,500 hours over not less than a 1-year period, with not less than 50 hours of supervision, for a doctoral degree (R 338.1774(1)(c)(i), (ii)). Hours only count once the limited license has issued.
How long does an LLPC license last, and can it be renewed?▾
One year, renewable annually for no more than 10 years, with relicensure counted the same as renewal (R 338.1777(3)). An LLPC who needs more time can request up to three 1-year hardship extensions, but LARA's extension guidelines state that the board does not automatically grant them (R 338.1777(4); Extension Request Guidelines, rev. 12/12/23).
Why does an LLPC need a professional disclosure statement?▾
Every counseling licensee gives one to each prospective client before counseling begins (MCL 333.18113(1)). An LLPC's statement has to add that they practice under a Michigan LPC's supervision, that supervisor's name and contact information, and a signed statement from the supervisor about their qualifications (R 338.1772(c)). LARA's guide states the license "cannot be issued without a Professional Disclosure Statement(s) on file."
What is the difference between an LLPC and an LPC?▾
An LLPC practices counseling only under a Michigan LPC's supervision; an LPC is licensed "to engage in the practice of counseling without supervision" (MCL 333.18101(b)). The LLPC runs for 1 year at a time, the LPC for 3. Neither owes continuing education beyond the implicit bias and human trafficking training every licensee owes, and passing a national exam is a requirement for the LPC application, not for holding the LLPC.
More on Michigan licensure
Michigan runs the same limited-to-full structure on its other two tracks: see what an LLMSW is in Michigan on the social work side and Michigan LLMFT hours requirements on the marriage and family therapy side. For the full picture across all three, see how to become a therapist in Michigan.
Requirements verified against Counseling General Rules R 338.1751 to R 338.1781 (amended eff. Jan. 15, 2026), the Public Health Code Part 181 (MCL 333.18101 to 333.18117), and the LARA Counseling Licensing Guides (rev. 1/26/2026). Statutes and regulations can change. Confirm current requirements at the LARA Board of Counseling page before making decisions about your licensure path. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.