Counseling License from Michigan to Minnesota: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Michigan and Minnesota

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Minnesota. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Michigan to Minnesota (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

Minnesota to Michigan (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Michigan matter?

Michigan gets Minnesota's most common result: 40 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.

The others get: compact privilege — work there without a second license (10).

Counseling Compact membership

Michigan is not in the Counseling Compact; Minnesota is a Counseling Compact member state.

Because they are not both active members, the Counseling Compact does not cover this move.

Application fee

Minnesota lists $150 for an out-of-state applicant and Michigan lists $259.05 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Exam rules on record

Minnesota and Michigan carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Minnesota (this move): No exam is retaken for reciprocity. Minn. Stat. 148B.56 sets no exam condition: the Board rules on substantial similarity (licensed under 5 years) or 5+ years of active practice, then decides whether to grant the LPC or the LPCC. Minnesota-route LPCC applicants must pass the NCMHCE (148B.5301). The reciprocity application asks for license verification, transcripts and the other state's laws and rules, not a separate score transfer. No Minnesota jurisprudence exam.
• Michigan (the reverse move): National exam is not retaken. Michigan accepts one passing score from the NCE, the CRCC exam or the NCMHCE (R 338.1773). Applicants fully licensed in another state for 5+ years are presumed to meet the degree and exam requirements (R 338.1775(2)) and submit only a Professional Disclosure Statement beyond the common items. Applicants licensed under 5 years must have exam scores sent directly by the testing agency. No Michigan jurisprudence exam.

What changes, Michigan → Minnesota

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Minnesota sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Minnesota's current requirements on the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Hold a current license in good standing at the highest counselor level in your jurisdiction (e.g. LPCC, LCPC, LMHC).
5. Licensed under 5 years: requirements must be substantially similar to Minn. Stat. 148B.50-148B.593; 5+ years of active practice: the Board decides between LPC and LPCC (Minn. Stat. 148B.56).
6. Submit copies of your jurisdiction's current licensure laws and rules for the license used.
7. Have all graduate transcripts and license verification from every licensing board sent directly to the Board (a printout of a primary-source online license verification is accepted instead).
8. Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check unless exempt under Minn. Stat. 214.075.
9. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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