Behavioral & mental health licensure in Hawaii.
The required exam, supervised hours, jurisprudence rules, and official board for six Hawaii behavioral and mental health licenses — professional counseling, clinical social work, psychology, marriage & family therapy, behavior analysis, and addictions counseling.
New for 2026 — Hawaiʻi Act 93
Effective July 1, 2026, anyone accruing post-graduate supervised hours toward psychology, marriage & family therapy, or mental health counseling licensure must first hold the matching associate license (Associate Psychologist, Associate MFT, or Associate Mental Health Counselor) and practice under supervision. Associate-license applications opened June 1, 2026. Confirm current requirements and deadlines with the Hawaiʻi DCCA.
A submission-deadline extension is under discussion with DCCA. We’ll update this page if an official date is announced.
Professional counseling licensure in Hawaii
License: LMHC · Exam: NCE or NCMHCE
- Supervised experience3,000 hours (incl. 100 supervision)
- Timeframeover 2 to 4 years
- State law / jurisprudence examNo
- Associate license (new, 7/1/2026)Associate Mental Health Counselor license required while accruing supervised hours
Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current Hawaii rules with the board before you apply.
Clinical social work licensure in Hawaii
License: LCSW · Exam: ASWB Clinical
- Supervised experience3,000 hours (incl. 2,000 assessment/dx/psychotherapy)
- Timeframeover more than 2 and less than 5 years
- State law / jurisprudence examNo
Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current Hawaii rules with the board before you apply.
Psychology licensure in Hawaii
License: Licensed Psychologist · Exam: EPPP Part 1
- Supervised experience3,800 (1,900 internship + 1,900 postdoctoral)
- Timeframeinternship ≥1 yr; postdoctoral ≥1 yr
- State law / jurisprudence examNo
- Associate license (new, 7/1/2026)Associate Psychologist license required to accrue postdoctoral hours
Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current Hawaii rules with the board before you apply.
Marriage & family therapy licensure in Hawaii
License: LMFT · Exam: AMFTRB National MFT Exam
- Supervised experience1,000 post-grad practice hours; 200 supervision
- Timeframeover no less than 2 years
- State law / jurisprudence examNo
- Associate license (new, 7/1/2026)Associate MFT license required while accruing supervised hours
Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current Hawaii rules with the board before you apply.
Behavior analysis licensure in Hawaii
License: Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) · Exam: BCBA exam (BACB)
- Supervised experienceBACB standard: 2,000 fieldwork hours (or 1,500 concentrated)
- TimeframeSet by BACB fieldwork standards
- State law / jurisprudence examNo
Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current Hawaii rules with the board before you apply.
Addictions counseling licensure in Hawaii
License: CSAC (Certified Substance Abuse Counselor) · Exam: IC&RC ADC exam
- Supervised experience6,000 (HS) / 4,000 (bachelor's) / 2,000 (master's); 400-hr practicum
- Timeframe3 years (6,000 hrs)
- State law / jurisprudence examNo
Source: official board / national body (high confidence). Requirements change — confirm current Hawaii rules with the board before you apply.
Hawaii at a glance: Professional counseling uses the NCE or NCMHCE; clinical social work uses the ASWB Clinical; psychology uses the EPPP Part 1. As of July 1, 2026, Act 93 also requires an associate license to accrue supervised hours in psychology, MFT, and mental health counseling. Always confirm current rules with each board before you apply.
The licensures we help you pass.
Triad prepares clinicians for the national exam at the center of each path. Pick yours to see the full route.
Psychologist
A doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in psychology from an accredited program.
See exam prep →Social Worker
A BSW, MSW, or doctoral social work degree from a CSWE-accredited program, depending on the license level.
See exam prep →Professional Counselor
A master's in counseling or a related field, ideally CACREP-accredited.
See exam prep →Marriage & Family Therapist
A master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field.
See exam prep →Behavior Analyst
A master's degree plus BACB-verified coursework (a bachelor's for the BCaBA).
See exam prep →Addictions Counselor
The education or degree your state credential requires for addiction counseling.
See exam prep →Updated June 2026 — reflects Act 93.
Pass the exam on your path.
Triad’s AATBS brand prepares candidates for the EPPP, ASWB, NCE/NCMHCE, MFT, BCBA, and addictions exams — backed by a pass guarantee.
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