What are the basic requirements for becoming a certified professional counselor?

To become a certified professional counselor in Maryland, demonstrating good moral character and meeting age requirements are indeed fundamental criteria. This means that applicants must show they have the ethical standards necessary to practice counseling, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity and trust in the counseling profession. The age requirement ensures that candidates are mature enough to engage in the serious responsibilities that come with being a counselor.

While experience is valuable in the field, a minimum of 15 years is not a standard requirement in Maryland; rather, specific educational qualifications and certain supervised hours are typically mandated. Additionally, a master's or doctoral degree must be in a relevant field such as counseling or psychology, not an unrelated field. Lastly, the lack of a criminal history is often a consideration in licensure or certification processes, but it is not explicitly listed as a requirement for certification in the way that good moral character is. Thus, focusing on good moral character and age is pivotal in understanding the requirements for obtaining certification as a professional counselor.