Applicants for the KLPC license who hold a Master of Divinity from an accredited seminary as well as a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling meet the education requirements for licensure. However, the licensing board does recognize equivalent courses of study. If you are interested in applying for licensure, compare your graduate coursework with the following requirements:

• Religious foundations (21 Credit Hours)
  A minimum of 21 credit hours in the following areas:
  • Scripture
  • Theology
  • Religious history
  • Theological and social ethics
  • Spirituality
  • World Religions
• Core Clinical Theory (24 Credit Hours)
  • Counseling Theories and Techniques (6 credit hours)
  • Group therapy (3 credit hours)
  • Couples and Family Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Cross-cultural Counseling (3 credit hours)
  • Counseling Ethics (3 credit hours)
  • A minimum of 6 credit hours in any of the following:
    • Professional Identity
    • Human Development
    • Career Counseling
    • Assessment
    • Psychopathology
    • Addictions
• Pastoral Counseling Theory (3 Credit Hours)
• Specialized Technical Studies (9 Credit Hours)
  Minimum of 9 credit hours in any of the following areas:
  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Humanistic Psychotherapy (e.g. Person Centered, Existential)
  • Transpersonal Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Brief Therapy
  • Group Therapy
  • Post-Modern/Constructivist Therapy
• Practicum, internship, or residency (3 Credit Hours)

Equivalent Course of Study Options:

The goal is to fill any gaps in the body of knowledge (listed above) and be well equipped to function effectively as a pastoral counselor. This can be completed by choosing either track below:

• A Board-approved seminary or university: Complete at least one year of graduate level academic work beyond the Master of Divinity with a special concentration in the theory and practice of pastoral counseling
• Or The KAPC Academy: Complete at least 2 modules, and up to 6 modules, depending on the student’s transcripts. A “module” includes academic credit and supervision.
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Current Modules are:

1. Introduction to Pastoral Counseling, Part 1: An Overview
2. Introduction to Pastoral Counseling, Part 2: Theory, Practice, & Ethics
3. Marriage & Family Therapy, Part 1: Theoretical Approaches
4. Marriage & Family Therapy, Part 2: Practicum
5. Integration of Health Sciences, Theology, and Pastoral Counseling
6. Theories of Personality, Psychopathology, and Diagnoses (DSM)

For more detailed and expanded information, check out the education requirements on the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Pastoral Counselors page.

If you have any questions about the licensing process, please contact the administrator of the Board of Licensure for Pastoral Counselors at pc@ky.gov.