DC HEALTH HAS MOVED! On February 23, 2024, the DC Department of Health (DC Health) relocated. The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration's Processing Center and other offices are located at: DC Health 2201 Shannon Place SE Washington, DC 20020 (The new building is 0.3 miles from the Anacostia Metro)

PROCESSING CENTER Hours:
The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).

Office Hours:
The HRLA Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:45 pm (except holidays). 

If you require assistance from the Board of Professional Counseling, please contact the Board at [email protected] 

 

Change to the Term of License, Certificate and Registration Effective Date June 16, 2024 DC Health has always operated with fixed renewal windows for each profession. In response to feedback from the health professional community, the Director has moved to change the renewal system to align with each licensee’s month of birth. As such, all applicable licenses, certificates, or registrations issued on or after June 16, 2024, will expire on the last day of the birth month of the license holder. This will apply to all new applicants and will become applicable to licensees renewing later this year. For those renewing, this will not take effect until September 2024. For all current holders of a license, certificate, or registration additional information will be provided at a later date. This authority is pursuant to Chapter 40 Section 4006.3 DCMR Chapter 40 General Rules.

ALERT: PHONE SCAM DC HEALTH has become aware of a PHISHING PHONE SCAM in which individuals pose as DC Health representatives to request money. Please be advised that DC Health representatives will never contact you with a request for money.

LICENSURE WAIVER PERIOD HAS ENDED: Please review Important Notices regarding Temporary Licensure Requirements HERE

Important Notice regarding Paper Applications (select link): 
DC Health No Longer Accepting Paper Applications (Beginning June 14, 2021)

 

 

Please review the application checklist and regulations prior to applying for a license. 

Graduate Professional Counselor Checklist

Examination 

Re-Examination 

Endorsement 

Professional Counselor Checklist 

Examination

Re-Examination

Endorsement

Addiction Counselor I and Certified Addiction Counselor II Checklist 

Examination

Re-Examination

Endorsement

ONLINE LICENSING APPLICATIONS 

DC Health’s online licensing application system is now LIVE. (See link below.)

The District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is excited to announce the opening of our new online licensing system. Effective immediately, any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or to renew, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by going to the below link and submitting an online application. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.

https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page

 

***COVID-19 UPDATES***

Status of Application

If you need an update on the status of your application, please send an email to the appropriate inbox:

• Graduate Professional Counselor applicants: [email protected]
• Professional Counselor applicants: [email protected]
• Addiction Counselor I applicants: [email protected]
• Certified Addiction Counselor II applicants: [email protected]
• For ALL General Inquiries: [email protected]

COVID-19 Guidance and Best Practices

For the most up-to-date information on the District's response to COVID-19, including information on best practices and recommended guidelines, please go to coronavirus.dc.gov. 

Individuals may also call the Processing Center at 1 (877) 672-2174 to get an update on their pending applications.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all Health Professional Board meetings are held virtually.  

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The Board of Professional Counseling ("the Board") regulates the practice of professional counseling in DC. The Board administers and enforces the law. The Board also evaluates applicants' qualifications, recommends standards and procedures, and issues licenses. Moreover, the Board receives and reviews complaints, requests investigations, and conducts hearings. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Mayor: four professional counselors licensed in the District of Columbia and one consumer member. All licenses expire on December 31 of even years. 

BOARD MEETINGS (FY2024)
The Board meets on the third Friday.  Please note that meeting dates can change.
The Board plans to meet on the following dates:

• October 20, 2023
• November 17, 2023
• December 15, 2023 (Meeting Canceled)
• January 19, 2024
• February 9, 2024
• March 15, 2024
• April 19, 2024
• May 17, 2024 (Meeting Canceled)
• June 21, 2024
• July 19, 2024
• September 20, 2024

Applications

• LPC and LGPC Application Documents
• Professional Art Therapist (PAT) Documents
• Criminal Background Check

Additional Information

• Authorization to Release Information

Counseling Regulations

• DC Municipal Regulations for Licensed Graduate Professional Counselors  - Updated November 19, 2021
• DC Municipal Regulations for Professional Counseling
• DC Municipal Regulations for Professional Art Therapy
• DC Municipal Regulations for Addiction Counselors

Policy Statements

• Policy Statement on the Interpretation of License Endorsement Requirements under D.C. Official Code § 3-1207.10
• Guidance on Remote Supervision During the COVID-19 Health Emergency - Updated on July 9, 2021
• Policy Statement on Identifying Public Health Issues for Continuing Education

Announcements and Newsletters

• Announcements
• Newsletters (Coming Soon)

Discipline

• File a Complaint
• Disciplinary Action Taken (to come)

Licensure Search

• Search for a Health Professional

Meeting Materials

• Agendas
• Minutes