NEW ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL
Important Notice Regarding Online Applications
The Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists will launch its online application system on July 1, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all application instructions before submitting an application.
Effective June 20, 2026, the Board will no longer accept paper or emailed applications for any license type. Any paper or emailed application submitted after June 20, 2026, will be rejected and returned.
Application Processing Time
Applicants should allow at least 30 to 45 business days for the processing of a completed initial application. Business days do not include weekends, State holidays, or State closure days.
Applications are generally reviewed in the order they are received. Submitting an application does not guarantee immediate review, approval, or issuance of a credential.
Complete Applications
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete at the time of submission. A complete application includes:
All required sections of the application form completed accurately and legibly;
All required questions answered;
All applicable supporting documents uploaded or submitted as instructed;
Required fees paid;
Criminal history records check/fingerprints, where applicable;
Official transcripts, where applicable;
Passport-style photograph, where applicable;
Supervisor forms, contracts, verifications, or experience documentation, where applicable;
Out-of-state license verifications, where applicable; and
Any other documents required for the specific credential type.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application electronically, rather than by hand, when applicable. Illegible, incomplete, unsigned, or incorrectly completed forms may be returned without refund and delay processing.
Incomplete Applications
If an application is submitted without all required information or documentation, Board staff may contact the applicant for clarification or missing items. This will delay processing.
If additional information or documentation is requested, the application processing timeline may restart or be extended from the date the final required document is received. Applicants should allow an additional 30 to 45 business days from the date the application becomes complete.
If the additional information or documents requested is not uploaded or submitted within 15 calendar days, the application will be denied without a refund, and the applicant will be required to start the process all over again.
Compliance or Background Review
Some application types include questions regarding criminal history, prior disciplinary action, professional conduct, licensure history, or other background matters.
If an application is flagged for compliance review due to criminal history, prior disciplinary action, adverse licensure history, incomplete disclosure, or other concerns, applicants should allow a minimum of 90 business days for review. More complex matters may require additional time.
Common Reasons Applications Are Delayed
Applications may be delayed for several reasons, including but not limited to:
Missing or incomplete documentation;
Unofficial transcripts submitted when official transcripts are required;
Transcripts not sent directly from the school, where required;
Missing criminal history records check or fingerprint results;
Incorrect or missing fees;
Unreadable or improperly uploaded documents;
Missing signatures, dates, notarization, or required attestations;
Name discrepancies between application documents, transcripts, identification, or background check records;
Applying under the wrong credential type;
Missing supervision contracts, supervisor forms, or experience verification;
Missing out-of-state license verification;
Failure to disclose criminal history, disciplinary history, or prior licensure issues;
Duplicate applications or multiple submissions for the same credential; and
Failure to respond timely to Board staff requests.
Applicant Responsibility
Applicants are responsible for reviewing the requirements for their specific credential type before applying. Requirements may vary depending on the license, certificate, trainee status, or approval being requested.
Applicants should monitor their email regularly after submission, including spam or junk folders, in case Board staff request additional information.
To avoid delays, applicants should not submit an application until all required documents are ready for submission or transmission.
Status Inquiries
Applicants are encouraged to allow the posted processing timeframe before contacting the Board for a status update. Repeated status inquiries before the applicable processing period has passed may delay staff’s ability to process applications.
The Board appreciates applicants’ patience as staff works to process applications as efficiently and accurately as possible.
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