Are you interested in becoming a licensed counselor in The Grand Canyon State? This page overviews Arizona counseling licensure requirements, average salaries, and statewide counseling organizations.
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Arizona Counselor Licensure Requirements
The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners oversees licensure for licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists, while the Arizona Department of Education handles licensing for school counselors.
Depending on your educational and experience level, several levels of licensing are available in each discipline. Associate-level licensing helps recent graduates obtain the required number of supervised clinical hours for full licensure.
Here is an overview of Arizona counseling licensure requirements:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in Arizona?
It can take 3-4 years to become a counselor in Arizona, depending on what type of license you are pursuing, and where you are in your educational journey. A master's degree can take two to three years of full-time study, followed by at least one year of postgraduate supervised clinical experience.
Allow time to prepare for and pass any required examinations, and to collect the required documentation from your university and supervisor(s) in order to meet Arizona counseling licensure requirements.
Once you apply, it can take several weeks for your application to be processed and your license issued.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in Arizona
Arizona participates in the Counseling Compact, and counselors who have been licensed in another state can apply for licensure in Arizona by endorsement.
The endorsement application process includes submitting fingerprints for a background check, completing the Arizona Statutes/Regulations tutorial, and providing verification of your out-of-state license, and official transcripts.
For school counselors, the Arizona Department of Education will reciprocate licensure with all states for those who hold a valid, comparable certificate in good standing in another state.
How to Renew a Counseling License in Arizona
School counselor certificates are renewable through the Arizona Department of Education with 15 hours of professional development each year.
Counseling and marriage and family therapy licenses must be renewed every two years, and they require 30 hours of continuing education (CE). Starting June 22, 2026, all licensing and education tracking will be managed through a new E-Licensing platform using Mi-Case and Propelus CE Broker. The Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial must also be completed with every renewal, which counts as three CE hours.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in Arizona
According to the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS), counselors in Arizona make significantly less than national average salaries, with the exception of substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, who make slightly more than the average of $65,100.
Arizona's urban areas offer the highest average salaries. LMFTs in Tuscon earn an average of $57,190 per year. School counselors in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metropolitan area earn an annual average of $65,960. Mental health counselors in Flagstaff earn an average of $77,980 per year.
Salaries can vary based on your employer, licensing level, geographical region, and years of experience.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $29.96 | $62,310 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $26.36 | $54,830 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $22.71 | $47,230 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $32.64 | $67,890 |
| Counselors, All Other | $25.89 | $53,860 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in Arizona
Arizona Counseling Association: The Arizona Counseling Association is committed to facilitating the development and well-being of the counseling community while also advocating for the profession across the state of Arizona.
Arizona School Counselors Association: The Arizona School Counselors Association (AzSCA) offers professional resources and networking to support school counselors in the state. AzSCA also supports students in academic, career, and social-emotional development.
Arizona Interest Network of AAMFT: This division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) serves as the professional association for marriage and family therapists in Arizona. It works to uplift the profession through legislation, public relations campaigns, and collaboration with other mental health organizations.
Arizona Association of Addiction Professionals: The Arizona Association of Addiction Professionals is the Arizona affiliate of the NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. It promotes awareness of addiction issues in Arizona and advocates for standards for licensure and certification of qualified counselors to ensure the competency basis of those who provide addiction counseling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure
You must have a license to practice counseling in Arizona. The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners oversees licensure for licensed professional counselors and marriage and family therapists, while the Arizona Department of Education handles licensing for school counselors.
