To become a licensed therapist in Minnesota, you must earn a relevant graduate degree, complete approximately 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, pass a national licensing exam, and apply through the appropriate state licensing board. The exact requirements depend on the type of license you pursue, such as LPCC, LICSW, LMFT, or licensed psychologist.
It’s important to note that the state does not issue a single, general “therapist” license. Instead, The steps you’ll take depend on the career path you choose—such as professional counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, or psychology—and each pathway has its own education requirements, supervised experience, and licensing process through the appropriate state licensing board.
In school-based and early intervention settings, most clinicians hold one of four credentials: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychologist (LP).
Each license has its own educational and supervision requirements, but the overall pathway follows the same pattern: graduate degree, supervised experience, national exam, and state approval.
Your choice of license should align with your career goals:
School-based roles often involve additional expectations beyond state licensure. While the licensing requirements are the same, you will need to become familiar with the documentation process and cadence of continuing education credits.
If you plan to become an LPCC, Minnesota requires a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or a closely related field with at least 60 semester credits. Your program must include supervised clinical training and coursework in ethics, human development, assessment, and treatment methods.
If social work is your path, you’ll need a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program to qualify for LICSW licensure. [2]
LMFT candidates must complete a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, along with board-approved coursework in family systems and clinical practice. [3]
Psychologists follow a different track altogether. Minnesota requires a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD), including a formal internship component. [4]
Once your degree is complete, supervised experience becomes the focus. This is where the time required to become a licensed therapist in Minnesota can vary greatly.
Most therapists in Minnesota complete the process in 6–8 years total, including:
Clinical supervision hours aren’t just a checkbox; they're a vital component to ensuring competence and confidence in the work you’ll be doing.
Supervised experience is a major requirement for all therapy licenses in Minnesota.
| License | Supervised Hours | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| LPCC | 4,000 hours | 1,800 direct client hours + 200 supervision hours |
| LICSW | 4,000 hours | Minimum of 2 years + 200 supervision hours |
| LMFT | 4,000 hours | Includes direct client work |
| Psychologist | Varies | Predoctoral internship + postdoctoral supervision |
Choosing a supervision setting aligned with your career goals—such as schools or pediatric settings—can be especially beneficial. Hours earned in a pediatric clinic, a school-based mental health program, or a community agency serving children will feel different from those earned in adult outpatient therapy.
After supervision comes the examination requirement. LPCC applicants must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). [1] Social workers pursuing LICSW take the ASWB Clinical Exam. [2] LMFT candidates take the national AMFTRB exam. [3] Psychologists must pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). [4] Without passing the appropriate exam, you cannot move forward to independent licensure.
Upon passing, you submit your application to the appropriate Minnesota board, along with transcripts, supervision verification, exam results, fees, and background check documentation. Approval times vary, so planning is important if you’re aligning licensure with a job start date.
Finally, licensure doesn’t end once you receive approval. All Minnesota boards require continuing education for renewal. [1][2][3][4]
Ethics training and professional development hours are standard components, and if you plan to supervise the next generation of therapists, you likely need specific supervision continuing education as well. Staying compliant keeps your license active and keeps you aligned with evolving clinical standards.
Whether you are in college working on your degree or a practicing therapist, consider the benefits of working in a pediatric environment.
If you're looking to move forward in your professional career as a LICSW, a Licensed Psychologist, or in pediatric outpatient therapy in a way that supports growth, balance, and impact—consider working with us.
When you work with Kelly Pediatric Therapy in a school-based role, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, compensation for documentation, access to mentorship, free professional development, and work-free nights, weekends, and holidays.
Learn more about joining our team.
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