What happens when your Texas LPC license expires and how to get it back

If your Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license has expired, you cannot legally practice counseling in Texas until you reinstate it. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (SBEC) treats reinstatement differently depending on how long your license has been expired. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you can reinstate it by paying a reinstatement fee and meeting any continuing education requirements you missed. If your license has been expired for two years or longer, you must reapply as a new applicant, which means retaking the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and meeting current education and supervision standards.

The path you take depends on the expiration date on your license. SBEC does not automatically notify you when reinstatement becomes unavailable — that responsibility falls on you. Waiting too long to act closes the faster reinstatement route permanently.

Key Takeaways

  • Licenses expired fewer than two years ago can be reinstated by submitting a reinstatement process, paying the reinstatement fee (currently $200), and completing any missed continuing education hours.
  • Licenses expired two years or longer require you to reapply as a new applicant, including retaking the NCE and meeting current supervision requirements.
  • SBEC processes reinstatement applications through the online licensing system at www.tbec.texas.gov; you will need your license number and Social Security number to log in.
  • Continuing education requirements vary based on the number of years your license was expired, and some hours may need to be in specific content areas like ethics or law.
  • You cannot practice counseling or hold yourself out as an LPC while your license is expired, even if you have submitted a reinstatement process.

Reinstatement within two years of expiration

If your license expired within the past two years, you are may be able to access for standard reinstatement. You must submit a reinstatement process through the SBEC online portal, pay the reinstatement fee of $200, and provide proof that you have completed all continuing education hours you missed during the expired period.

The continuing education requirement depends on how long your license was expired. For each year your license was expired, you must complete the number of continuing education hours you would have been required to complete during that year. Most LPCs are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, which breaks down to 15 hours per year. If your license was expired for one year, you owe 15 hours; if it was expired for two years, you owe 30 hours. At least 2 of those hours must be in ethics or professional responsibility, and at least 2 hours must be in law and professional issues.

You must complete these hours before submitting your reinstatement process. SBEC will not process your process without proof of completion. Acceptable proof includes certificates of completion from approved continuing education providers, transcripts from accredited universities, or documentation from your employer if they provided the training in-house.

Reinstatement after two or more years of expiration

If your license has been expired for two years or longer, you cannot use the reinstatement process. Instead, you must submit a new process to SBEC as though you were explore for an LPC license for the first time. This means you must meet all current requirements, including education, supervision, and examination.

You will need to retake the National Counselor Examination (NCE). SBEC does not waive the exam requirement for previously licensed counselors whose licenses have been expired for two years or more. You must register with the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to schedule the NCE; the exam fee is set by NBCC and currently costs approximately $295, though this amount may vary. You will also need to verify that your master's degree in counseling or a related field still meets current SBEC standards — requirements have changed over time, and your degree may need additional coursework or documentation.

Additionally, you must document current supervised practice hours if SBEC requires them under your specific license type. Some applicants reapplying after a long lapse may need to complete additional supervision hours beyond what they completed for their original license. Contact SBEC directly to confirm what supervision documentation you need to provide.

Step-by-step reinstatement process for licenses expired under two years

Step 1: Gather your continuing education documentation. Collect all certificates of completion or transcripts showing the hours you completed. Verify that the total meets or exceeds the number of hours you owe. Confirm that at least 2 hours are in ethics or professional responsibility and at least 2 hours are in law and professional issues.

Step 2: Log into the SBEC online licensing system. Go to www.tbec.texas.gov and click on the licensing portal. Enter your license number and Social Security number. If you have forgotten your login credentials, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset them.

Step 3: Locate the reinstatement process. Once logged in, look for the reinstatement option in your account dashboard. Do not confuse this with renewal — reinstatement is a separate process for expired licenses.

Step 4: Complete the reinstatement process form. The form will ask for your current contact information, employment details, and any disciplinary history. Answer all questions truthfully. If you have been subject to any disciplinary action by another state licensing board or a professional organization, you must disclose it.

Step 5: Upload your continuing education documentation. Attach scanned copies of your certificates or transcripts. SBEC accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files. Make sure the files are clear and legible — if SBEC cannot read your documentation, they will request it again, which delays processing.

Step 6: Pay the reinstatement fee. The current reinstatement fee is $200. SBEC accepts payment by credit card, debit card, or electronic check through the online portal. Payment must be completed before SBEC will process your process.

Step 7: Submit your process. Review all information for accuracy, then click Submit. You will receive a confirmation email with an process number. Save this number for your records.

Step 8: Wait for SBEC to process your process. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days. SBEC will send you an email when your reinstatement is approved. Your new license will be issued with a new expiration date, usually two years from the date of reinstatement.

Common mistakes that delay or block reinstatement

The most frequent error is submitting continuing education hours that do not meet SBEC's content requirements. Many counselors complete 15 or 30 hours but fail to may support that at least 2 hours are specifically in ethics and at least 2 hours are in law and professional issues. If your documentation does not show these breakdowns clearly, SBEC will reject your process and ask you to complete additional hours in those areas. To avoid this, before you submit, review each certificate and confirm the topic and number of hours for each course.

A second common mistake is waiting until after the two-year mark has passed. Once your license has been expired for two years, you lose the right to reinstate and must reapply from scratch. There is no grace period, and SBEC does not extend this important date. If you are unsure of your expiration date, log into the SBEC portal and check your license status when ready.

A third mistake is attempting to practice or advertise yourself as an LPC while your reinstatement process is pending. Your license is still expired until SBEC officially approves the reinstatement. Practicing without a valid license is a violation of Texas law and can result in criminal charges, civil penalties, and permanent loss of your license.

Fees and processing timelines

The reinstatement fee for an LPC license in Texas is $200. This fee is non-refundable, even if your process is denied. If your process is denied, you will need to address the reason for denial (usually missing or incomplete continuing education documentation) and resubmit with the corrected materials. You will not be charged an additional fee for resubmission if you are correcting documentation; however, if you must complete additional continuing education hours, you will bear the cost of those courses.

Processing time for reinstatement applications is typically 5 to 10 business days from the date SBEC receives your complete process. This timeline assumes your continuing education documentation is clear, your process form is complete, and your fee has been processed. If SBEC needs to request additional information or clarification, processing will take longer. During busy periods, such as the end of renewal cycles, processing may extend to 15 business days.

If you need your reinstatement processed faster, SBEC does not offer expedited processing. Your only option is to may support your process is complete and accurate the first time you submit it.

What to do if your reinstatement is denied

SBEC will send you a written notice if your reinstatement process is denied. The notice will explain the specific reason for denial. The most common reasons are incomplete continuing education documentation, failure to meet content requirements (ethics and law hours), or disclosure of disciplinary action that SBEC determines makes you ineligible for reinstatement.

If the denial is due to missing or unclear documentation, you can correct the materials and resubmit without paying another fee. If the denial is due to insufficient continuing education hours, you must complete the additional hours, obtain new certificates, and resubmit your process. If the denial is due to disciplinary history, you may need to request a hearing before the SBEC board or consult with an attorney who specializes in professional licensing.

If you believe the denial was made in error, you have the right to request a hearing. Contact SBEC in writing within 30 days of receiving the denial notice to request a hearing. SBEC will schedule a hearing before an administrative law judge, where you can present evidence and testimony to support your reinstatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I practice counseling while my reinstatement process is being processed?

No. Your license remains expired until SBEC officially approves your reinstatement. Practicing counseling or representing yourself as an LPC while your license is expired is illegal in Texas, regardless of whether you have submitted a reinstatement process. You must wait for written approval from SBEC before you resume practice.

What if I completed continuing education hours but lost the certificates?

Contact the continuing education provider directly and request a replacement certificate or official transcript. Most providers can issue replacements within a few business days. If the provider is no longer in business, ask SBEC whether you can provide alternative documentation, such as a letter from your employer confirming the training you received. SBEC has discretion to accept alternative documentation in some cases, but this is not may provide.

Do I need to retake the NCE if my license expired less than two years ago?

No. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, you do not need to retake the NCE. You only need to complete the continuing education hours you missed and pay the reinstatement fee. The NCE requirement applies only if your license has been expired for two years or longer.

What if my license expired more than two years ago but I have been working as a counselor anyway?

You must stop practicing when ready. Practicing without a valid license is a criminal offense in Texas. You should contact SBEC to discuss your options for reapplication. Depending on how long you have been practicing without a license, you may also face civil liability or complaints to law enforcement. Consulting with an attorney before contacting SBEC is advisable in this situation.

Can I reinstate my license if I have been disciplined by another state or professional board?

Possibly, but you must disclose the discipline on your reinstatement process. SBEC will review the details of the discipline and determine whether it affects your may be able to access. Minor discipline, such as a warning or small fine, typically does not block reinstatement. Serious discipline, such as license revocation or suspension for patient harm, may result in denial. SBEC will notify you if your discipline history requires additional review or a hearing.