Reduces amount of supervised counseling experience required for professional counselor licensure.

This bill (S 636) reduces the supervised counseling experience required for professional counselor licensure in New Jersey from three years (3,000 hours) to two years (2,000 hours) in a professional counseling setting. It maintains the option to substitute 30 graduate semester hours beyond a master's degree for one year of experience, while requiring at least one year (1,500 hours) of supervised counseling after earning a master's degree. The change directly affects individuals seeking to become licensed professional counselors by lowering the experience threshold. The bill preserves existing educational and examination requirements, including passing the National Counselor Examination. It was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Health Committee.