Understanding your Minnesota pre-licensed therapist's license: Lgsw, LAmft, and LPC explained
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
This post is part of our guide to working with pre-licensed therapists in Minnesota. For the full overview, start here: What It Means to Work With a Pre-Licensed Therapist in Minnesota (And Why It Can Be a Great Fit) |
If you have been looking at therapist profiles in Minnesota, you have probably noticed a few different sets of initials after people's names — and wondered what they mean and whether they matter for your care. They do tell you something real about a clinician's training path, and they are worth understanding.
Here is a plain-language breakdown of the pre-licensed credentials you might see at MindBalance Mental Health Care — and what each one represents.
lgsw - licensed graduate social worker
What it is: The LGSW is a master 's-level social work license issued by the MN Board of Social Work.
Education required: A Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) — the national accrediting body for social work programs.
Exam required: Passing score on the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) Master's examination. This national exam must be passed before the LGSW license is granted.
Where they are headed: The LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker), which is the fully independent clinical social work license in Minnesota. Earning the LICSW requires 4,000 to 8,000 hours of clinical supervised practice — including at least 1,800 hours of direct clinical client contact — 200 hours of supervision across that period, documentation of 360 clinical clock hours across six specific clinical knowledge areas, and passing the ASWB Clinical exam, which is a second, more advanced national licensing exam.
LGSW therapists bring extensive training in how systems, relationships, trauma, and social context shape mental health — a perspective that is deeply aligned with anti-oppressive, holistic care.
LAMFT - Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
What it is: The LAMFT is the pre-licensed credential for marriage and family therapists in Minnesota, issued by the MN Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Education required: A graduate degree in marriage and family therapy from an accredited program.
Exam required: Passing score on the AMFTRB National Examination in MFT — a national licensing exam administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards. This exam must be passed before the LAMFT license is granted. An LAMFT has already cleared this national exam before they begin their supervised post-graduate hours.
Supervised hours required: A minimum of 4,000 post-graduate hours of supervised clinical practice in Minnesota, all under a board-approved LMFT supervisor.
Where they are headed: The LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), which is the independent license. After completing the 4,000 supervised hours, the LAMFT must also pass the Minnesota state oral examination before the independent LMFT credential is granted.
MFT-trained clinicians are especially skilled at working with relational dynamics, family systems, and how our closest relationships shape who we are and how we experience the world.
LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor
What it is: The LPC is a master 's-level professional counseling license issued by the MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT).
Education required: A master's or doctoral degree in counseling from an accredited program, including coursework in ten specific content areas and at least 700 hours of graduate-level supervised field experience.
Exam required: Passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE).
Supervised hours required: 2,000 hours of post-degree supervised professional practice under a board-approved supervisor in Minnesota, completed according to a supervision plan approved by the BBHT.
Where they are headed: All MindBalance therapists pursuing their LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) must first apply to and register with the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy as an LPC. The LPCC is an independent clinical license that allows for broader clinical practice and diagnosis.
What Every LGSW, LAMFT, and LPC Therapist in Minnesota Has in Common
Regardless of which credential your therapist holds, several things are true across all three:
• They have a graduate degree from an accredited program
• They have passed at least one national or state licensing exam before practicing under their pre-licensed credential
• They are actively supervised by a board-approved clinical supervisor in Minnesota
• They are working within a regulated, structured path toward independent licensure
At MindBalance Mental Health Care, our pre-licensed therapists — whether LGSW, LAMFT, or LPC — are supported by supervisors who are registered and approved by their respective Minnesota licensing boards. These are professionals who have completed specialized training in supervision and are held to ongoing state standards.
The credential after your therapist's name tells you where they are in their licensing journey. It does not tell you whether they are caring, skilled, or the right fit for you — that is what getting to know them is for.
ALSO IN THIS SERIES This post is part of a series on working with pre-licensed therapists at MindBalance Mental Health Care. Explore the other posts below: What It Means to Work With a Pre-Licensed Therapist in Minnesota (And Why It Can Be A Great Fit) | The full guide - what pre-licensed means, how supervision works, what each credential requires, and why MindBalance Mental Health Care's approach supports your care. What is Clinical Supervision in Therapy - And Why It Matters for Your Care in Minnesota | A deeper look at how clinical supervision works in Minnesota, what board-approved supervisors are required to do, and why that structure benefits you. Common Questions About Working With a Pre-Licensed Therapist in Minnesota | Direct answers to the questions we hear most - including whether pre-licensed therapists are qualified, how they compare to independently licensed clinicians, and what support looks like at MindBalance Mental Health Care. |
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Reach out to MindBalance Mental Health Care today to learn more about our team and schedule a consultation.
About the Author
Merrily Young-Hye Sadlovsky (she/her/hers), MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, clinical supervisor, and co-owner of MindBalance Mental Health Care, an independent holistic mental health practice serving Minneapolis and individuals across Minnesota. She is an EMDRIA EMDR-Certified Therapist and teaches clinical courses as an adjunct faculty member in an MSW program in Minneapolis. Her work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy supporting adoptees, BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, and college and graduate students navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, disordered eating, and life transitions.
Educational Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our perspectives and understanding at the time of writing. It is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or insurance advice, and should not be relied on as such. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic or professional relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional.
