The Ten Questions New LLPC's Ask Most Often

1. I have just applied for my LLPC. Can I join your supervision group?

            You may not start counting hours toward your LLPC supervision until your limited license is issued, so you should not begin supervision until after that date. You can find the actual date of issue on the state web site www.michigan.gov. (Note: this works differently for those seeking licensure as LLMFTs.)

2. I don’t have any clients yet. Do I need supervision?

            Our licensing law requires that “a limited license issued under this act shall require that the individual confine his or her practice to a program of counseling experience under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor.” The rules further define this requirement by stating that “the supervision shall begin upon the issuance of the limited license and continue until the licensed professional counselor license is issued.” So it is clear that you need supervision from the time you get your limited license. How you will handle the requirement for face-to face supervision until you begin seeing clients will need to be decided by your supervisor. Remember that your supervisor becomes legally liable for your professional actions from the time supervision begins. (Note: Copies of the law and rules are also available on the state web site.)

3. What counts toward my 3,000 hours of supervised practice?

            The rules state that LLPCs must “have engaged in the practice of counseling pursuant to section 18101 (d) of the code, which practice involved an opportunity to work with a broad range of the population and which was conducted in an organized education, business, health, private practice or human services setting under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor.” We suggest to our supervisees that they may count any activities which are included in the practice of counseling or which directly support their work with clients (i.e writing case notes or creating treatment plans.) The scope of practice of counseling is defined in section 333.18101 of the Public Health Code and the term “Counseling techniques” is further defined in Rule 338.1751 (f). It is not required that a supervisee be paid for the 3,000 hours of supervised practice. Thus, supervisees may acquire supervised practice hours in an appropriate volunteer situation.

4. Do I have to complete my supervision in two years?

            The rules state that your 3,000 hours of supervised practice must be must be acquired “over not less than a 2 year period.” You must work under supervision for at least two years even if you acquire more that 3,000 hours, but you have as long as you need to complete the 3,000 hours of supervised practice.

5. I have just completed my doctorate and am applying for my LLPC. How many hours of supervision am I required to do?

            If you have a master’s degree in counseling and your post-graduate studies included “30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of study beyond the master’s degree”, you will be required to complete 1500 hours or practice over not less than 1 year which includes 50 hours “in the immediate physical presence of the supervisor.” If you do not have a master’s degree in counseling, you will need to complete 3,000 hours of practice over not less that 2 years including 100 hours of face-to face supervision.

6. How many hours of face-to-face supervision per week are required?

            The law requires neither a particular number of hours per week nor any specific ratio of practice hours to face-to-face hours. These are issues you will need to negotiate with your supervisor.

7. What does my professional disclosure statement need to say about supervision?

            The rules are clear on this point and state, “The limited licensed counselor’s professional disclosure statement shall identify the licensed professional counselor under whose supervision the limited licensed counselor’s practice shall be confined.”

8. I forgot to renew my license and it lapsed for two months. How will this affect my supervision?

            It is very important that your license remain in good standing throughout your supervision and beyond. If your license should lapse while you are under supervision, the hours you accrued during the lapsed period will not count. Also, you and your supervisor are at an increased liability risk for the time you in effect practiced without a license. It is entirely possible that neither your professional liability insurance (or that of your supervisor for vicarious liability) will provide coverage for that period of time that your licensed lapsed.

9. Once I complete my supervision hours, am I done with supervision?

            No, you must continue in supervision until your LPC license is issued. Rule 338.1752 (3) (a) (ii) states: “the supervision shall begin upon the issuance of the license and continue until the licensed professional counselor license is issued.”

10. My supervisor is moving. Can I complete my supervision with someone else?

            The law does not require that you complete all 3,000 hours of supervised practice or all 100 hours of face-to-face supervision with the same supervisor. However, all the supervisors with whom you have worked will be required to submit a form to the state documenting the supervision you did with them. This form must be sent by the supervisor directly to the state. You will need to make arrangements with the supervisor who is moving to complete this form and send it to the state when you apply for your full licensure