Can a Person With a Felony Become a Licensed Counselor?

If you have a felony conviction and are interested in a career as a counselor, you're not alone. Many people with similar backgrounds have decided that they would like to use previous negative life experiences to help others. Since counseling is a licensed profession, however, it is up to your state professional board to determine whether you qualify for a license.

Types of Counseling, Licensing and Registration

There are several different mental health professions that provide counseling services. Examples include:

• Clinical social workers
• Licensed professional counselors
• Marriage and family therapists
• Clinical and counseling psychologists
• Substance abuse counselors

Not all states offer licensing or registration for every branch of mental health practice. If you are considering becoming a counselor, check the state's laws regarding mental health professional licensing to learn your options. From there, you can ask the licensing agency for information on its policies regarding licensing standards for people with criminal records.

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Regulations on Felony Convictions

Every state licensure board has its own policies regarding professional licensing for protected felons. Here are some variables to consider:

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• Licensing process: In most states, the licensing application will ask if you have a criminal record. If your answer is "yes," you may be required to fill out additional forms and may have to pay a fee to have these forms reviewed. You may also be required to provide other documentation regarding the offense as well as any steps you've taken toward rehabilitation, including substance abuse counseling or mental health treatment. The licensing commission may ask you to come in for an interview, or you may have to appear before a board meeting.
• Types of felonies: Some states may prohibit individuals who are convicted of certain types of crimes, such as murder or sexual assault, from ever becoming a licensed mental health practitioner or counselor.
• Rehabilitation time: Your state may permit individuals with felonies to become licensed counselors, but may only approve an application if a significant period of time, sometimes as much is 15 years, has passed between the commission of a felony and granting a license.
• Licensing with contingencies: Some states may issue a license to someone with a felony conviction, with the condition that he or she be subjected to ongoing accountability to another party. An example of this is Virginia's Health Practitioners Monitoring Program.
• Types of licensing: Some states have more lenient requirements for individuals who wish to become addictions counselors. This leniency often stems from the belief that people who are in recovery from substance abuse, or compulsive gambling, who may also have criminal records, may be more effective counselors and those who have not struggled with drug or alcohol problems in the past.

Educational Programs

If you are considering a career in counseling but are concerned as to whether your felony conviction will affect your ability to be licensed, contact schools that offer mental health education programs and asked them about admissions eligibility. Some schools review criminal records before admitting students, as a criminal record could prevent the student from obtaining an internship that is necessary to degree completion.

Developing a Job Search Strategy

If you decide to pursue licensure as a professional counselor or mental health practitioner, it's a good idea to develop a job search strategy early on in your education and training. State licensing boards may rely on letters of recommendation when making a determination about your application, so it's important to have good relationships with your instructors and supervisors. Having strong references and professional networks can also make your job search easier.

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Because you'll be asked to document the circumstances of your conviction, make sure that you have a good understanding of your case and can accurately describe the facts surrounding it, the charges and your sentencing. Discrepancies between the information you provide and records accessed by the licensing board may trigger additional questions and negative assumptions about your honesty.

Tip

Be sure to allow extra time for license processing, particularly if you have to fill out additional paperwork and attend in-person interviews with licensing board members. In some cases, it could take several months to hear back about your license application. You may have to take a job in an unrelated field during this time.

References

• DrugFree.org: Report: Lax Rules Allow Felons to Serve as Drug and Alcohol Counselors in California
• CSI.edu: Felonies/Misdemeanors and Your Education
• Virginia.gov: Health Practitioners' Monitoring Program
• Lonestar.edu: LCDC Criminal History Information
• Tx.us: Texas Administrative Code
• NV.gov: Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Counselors
• Nolo: Getting Hired With an Arrest or Conviction Record