PhD/PsyD LPC: Keep or toss?

[R. Matey]

I'm licensed as an LPC and I'm wondering if I should let it go once I become licensed as a psychologist. Thoughts?

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[WisNeuro]

I don't know much about it, but I would assume so, to head off any possible billing headaches. I can only imagine an insurance company wanting to reimburse you for the lower cost license.

 

[foreverbull]

I would say yes, to avoid double-paying for licensure. The licensed psychologist title is more valuable at this stage for you. Certainly you could maintain both if you REALLY wanted to keep both titles, but I can't think of a single practical reason to do so unless you wanted to be really professionally involved with master's level organizations (i.e. wanting to move up in the leadership ranks there, perhaps?).

 

[R. Matey]

t think of a single practical reason to do so unless you wanted to be really professionally involved with master's level organizations (i.e. wanting to move up in the leadership ranks there, perhaps?).

Good to know. No, that's not really a desire of mine. It's coming up for renewal soon and I'm thinking of just letting it go since I'm a post doc now, but I wanted to be sure that it wouldn't cost me professionally somehow.

 

[PsyDr]

Alternative idea:

There is a precedent in the legal profession. Long story short: disbarred attorneys can sometimes get licensed as paralegals. Depending on your risk tolerance, and financial abilities, it might not be a terrible idea to move your LPC license to a malpractice tort reform state far away from you, and keep it for life. This move would give you some way to earn, without screwing up billing, if you ever lost your license.

Keep in mind that it is extremely difficult for psychologists to lose their licenses.

 

[ClinicalABA]

I ran into an issue many years ago where I had an employee completing post-degree supervised experience for her LMHC (my state's LPC equivalent). The stupid LMHC supervision requirements mandated that a certain amount of supervision come from an LMHC. Big hassle. Maybe check your state regs and, if you ever think you'll need to supervise LPC candidates, keep it just in case.

 

[R. Matey]

it might not be a terrible idea to move your LPC license to a malpractice tort reform state far away from you, and keep it for life. This move would give you some way to earn, without screwing up billing, if you ever lost your license.

Hmmm....I had not considered that.

I ran into an issue many years ago where I had an employee completing post-degree supervised experience for her LMHC (my state's LPC equivalent). The stupid LMHC supervision requirements mandated that a certain amount of supervision come from an LMHC. Big hassle. Maybe check your state regs and, if you ever think you'll need to supervise LPC candidates, keep it just in case.

It looks like there's a way to inactive or retire my license rather than just let it expire. So, if I need it for something, maybe this is not a bad route to go?

 

[ClinicalABA]

I maintain my my masters level credential (BCBA/LABA) primarily because it allows me to supervise, teach, and offer CEUs for trainings. Also makes me more marketable as a psychologist. I can also access BCBA billing codes, though it's been a few years since i have, mainly because psych services are harder to come by and generally pay better (though billing BCBA case supervision codes at slightly above break even rates for my company allows them to provide and bill non-credentialled services and codes at way above break even rates). If it doesn't cost you much to renew (both fees and CE costs) and could allow you to negotiate higher salary now or in the future, may not hurt to keep it.

 

[forensic13]

Similar question since I am on postdoc this year. Is it worth keeping my LPA (in a another state) once I am fully licensed as a psychologist in my current state? Would it help me get licensed as a psychologist in the old state if I ever returned, or would my application process take just as long anyways?

 

[sfgucadoc]

I'm licensed as a psychologist since 2010 but also have a LPC-S license. I didn't do anything with it for years but 2 years ago became clinical director at a community organization where I sometimes supervise post-master's LPC interns. The LPC-S has been useful for that. But when I leave here, I will probably dump it.

 

[Spydra]

I've encountered faculty that have continued to maintain LPC or similar licenses and when I asked them why, the reasons cited are always 'back up plan' or 'side income.' Keeping it can allow opportunities to teach or supervise in those programs which may be something that one does out of necessity or interest. Some have also shared that maintaining it is easier than letting it lapse and trying to reinstate it when a need arises, I imagine this is dependent on the state but still good to know.