Although biblical counseling and Christian counseling may seem quite similar, they aren’t quite the same thing. Typically, a biblical counselor is a theological professional. They may have earned a seminary degree rather than a counseling degree. A biblical counselor approaches counseling from a spiritual perspective, not a clinical one. In contrast, a Christian counselor is typically a licensed clinician who is trained to deliver counseling-based therapy from a Christian perspective.

Since the legal requirements to become a licensed or certified counselor vary from state to state, you should research the requirements for the state in which you plan to work. All states require all types of counselors who wish to work in private practice to obtain licensure. All states require aspiring counselors to obtain a relevant master’s degree, complete a certain number of supervised clinical experience hours and pass a state-approved exam in order to obtain licensure.¹

All types of mental health counselors who wish to work in private practice are legally required to obtain and maintain licensure.¹ If you do not want to work in private practice, it may be possible for you to work in Christian counseling without a license. However, even employers who are not legally required to hire licensed counselors may decide on their own initiative to only hire licensed Christian counselors, or to express a preference for licensure.² In short, while licensure might not always be a strict requirement, you’re likely to find that more doors are open to you with licensure. Without licensure, you might complete a Christian counseling certificate program and work in counseling support roles, such as case management.