A Description of Licenses

By:   Mentor Research Institute
Revised:  Feb 21, 2021

Psychotherapists licensed by the State of Oregon have completed a professional training program, undergone a period of supervised experience, and completed one or more formal examinations in their profession. Licensed therapists of all professional backgrounds may use a variety of techniques and have a variety of theoretical approaches. The minimum requirements for licensure of each profession are listed below.

  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers [LCSW] must complete a two-year masters degree in social work [MSW], and two years of supervised post-degree clinical training, and pass a state licensing examination. LCSWs have training in working with larger social systems and understanding people in the context of those larger social systems.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT] must complete at least a two-year master’s degree, two years of supervised post-degree experience, and pass a marriage and family therapist examination. LMFTs work with individuals, couples, and families to resolve the relationship problems that bring pain and confusion to people’s lives.

  • Licensed Professional Counselors [LPC] must complete at least a two-year masters degree (MA/MS) in counseling, psychology or a related field, three years of full-time supervised experience and pass a comprehensive national board examination. LPCs work in therapeutic relationships helping individuals, couples, families and groups toward increased effectiveness in personal, social, educational, rehabilitation and career domains.

  • Licensed Psychologists must complete a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD), a clinical internship, and a two year supervised residency. They must also pass state licensing examinations both written and oral. Psychologists have special training in psychological evaluation and testing.

  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) must complete a bachelors degree in nursing and masters degree (MSN) in a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program. Psychiatric Nurse practitioners must pass a state licensing examination. Psychiatric nurse practitioners have basic training in common biomedical aspects of emotional and mental illness. Some obtain training in psychotherapy.

  • Psychiatrists [MDs] must complete four years of medical school, a year of medical internship and then three years of psychiatric residency. Child psychiatrists must have an additional two years of training in their specialty. Each must take a national examination to become Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. Psychiatrists are specially trained in biomedical aspects of emotional problems and mental illnesses. Some have training in psychotherapy.