Certification, Credentials and Licensure

In Ohio, people who work in behavioral health—like counselors, social workers, and addiction specialists—need to prove they are trained and qualified. This is done through licensure, certification, and/or credentialing. A license is something you must have by law to do certain jobs, like being a therapist. A certification shows you have special training in a certain area, like helping people with addiction, but it’s not always required. A credential is a general word that includes licenses, certifications, and other qualifications. These help make sure workers are prepared to help others safely and professionally. Ohio has different boards that give out these licenses and certifications, and workers must keep learning to keep their credentials up to date.

In Behavioral Health

What Are Licensure, Credentials, and Certifications?

Why Stack Credentials?

"Stacking credentials" involves obtaining multiple qualifications to enhance one's professional profile. Benefits include:

  • Expanded Career Opportunities: Qualify for diverse roles across various settings.

  • Increased Earning Potential: Higher qualifications can lead to better compensation.

  • Enhanced Service Delivery: Ability to offer a broader range of services to clients.

Professional Growth: Demonstrates commitment to ongoing learning and expertise.

Example 1: 

You complete an approved Community Health Worker training program. You then become a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) in Ohio. If you work in an early childhood program for at least two years and receive additional training, you can become credentialed as an Ohio Infant Family Affiliate Level 1 (OIFA-I). 

Example 2: 

You receive your Bachelor of Social Work and pass the ASWB exam to become a licensed social worker (LSW). You decide you want to work in addiction treatment so you pursue coursework in substance abuse/addiction counseling. You are then eligible to be a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor license III (LCDCIII).

Credentialing Bodies in Ohio


Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDPB)

  • Role: Licenses and certifies chemical dependency counselors and prevention professionals.

  • Website: ocdp.ohio.gov

Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT)

  • Role: Licenses counselors (LPC, LPCC), social workers (LSW, LISW), marriage and family therapists (MFT), art therapists (LPAT) and music therapists (LPMT).

Website: cswmft.ohio.gov


Ohio Board of Nursing

  • Role: Licenses registered nurses (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), and advanced practice nurses; credentialing of Community Health Workers.

  • Website: nursing.ohio.gov


Ohio Department of Health

  • Role: Maintains the Nurses Aide Registry for State Tested Nurse Assistants (STNA)

  • Website:health.ohio.gov


Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)

  • Role: Provides voluntary certifications (e.g., peer support specialists) and sets training standards.

  • Website: mha.ohio.gov


Ohio Board of Psychology


State Medical Board of Ohio

  • Roles: Licenses physicians and certain prescribing professionals involved in behavioral health.

  • Website: med.ohio.gov


Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board

  • Role: Licenses occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTA).

  • Website: med.ohio.gov

Importance of Proper Credentialing

Why do behavioral health professionals need to be credentialed? Some jobs you just can’t do without a license no matter what your education and experience. Sometimes a credential isn’t needed, but it shows potential employers and clients that you have met a standard of training and expertise in a specific field.

Credentialing also is important because: 

  • Public Trust: Ensures clients receive care from qualified professionals.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Meets state and federal requirements for practice.

  • Insurance Reimbursement: Necessary for billing services to insurance providers.

  • Ethical Standards: Upholds the integrity and professionalism of the field.

National vs. State Credentials

Some credentials are obtained not from Ohio departments, but from national organizations.

Note: Sometimes to get an Ohio license you must also be certified by a national organization. For example, to be a Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMT) in Ohio, you must also maintain Music Therapy Board Certification (MT-BC).

Interstate Portability

If you think you might want to move to another state, understanding how your credential transfers can be important!

  • Licensure Reciprocity: Some states have agreements allowing professionals licensed in one state to practice in another, subject to specific conditions. Check with the Ohio credentialing board to find out if this is available for the career you are interested in. 

  • National Certifications: Holding national credentials can facilitate the process of obtaining licensure in a new state.

Training & Recertification

Continuing Education: Most licenses and certifications require ongoing education to ensure professionals stay current with best practices.

  • Renewal Cycles: Licenses typically need renewal every 1–2 years, with specific continuing education unit (CEU) requirements.

Specialized Training: Additional certifications may require targeted training programs or supervised experience.

Code of Ethics

Each credentialing body enforces a code of ethics to guide professional conduct:

  • Purpose: Protects clients, ensures quality care, and maintains the profession's integrity.

  • Enforcement: Violations can lead to disciplinary actions, including suspension or revocation of licensure or certification.

  • Access: Codes of ethics are typically available on the respective board's website.

What “Scope of Practice” Means in Behavioral Health


In Ohio, as in many states, “scope of practice” refers to the specific services, tasks, and responsibilities that a licensed or credentialed professional is legally allowed to perform based on their education, training, and certification or licensure. This ensures that individuals provide care or services they are qualified to offer—and not beyond that.

  • It defines what a professional is allowed to do under the law.

  • It protects both the safety of clients and the integrity of the profession.

  • It is set by the Ohio Legislature and/or licensing boards or credentialing agencies in Ohio (like the CSWMFT Board, Ohio Board of Nursing, etc.).

For example:

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio can provide counseling services, but cannot diagnose mental health disorders or provide supervision until they earn an LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor) credential.

A peer recovery supporter can offer hope and share lived experience, but cannot provide therapy or clinical treatment.

Other Terms You Might Hear

Scope of responsibility – sometimes used interchangeably but may also refer more broadly to duties in a job description.

Authorized practice – emphasizes what is legally permitted.

Professional boundaries – refers to both ethical and legal limits on one’s work.

Permitted activities – used in training or certification language.

Understanding and following your scope of practice is essential—it helps ensure professionals are acting legally, ethically, and competently in the care they provide.