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Behavioral Health Careers by State

The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for people who want a job or career in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. There are many ways to start and grow a career in behavioral health. Each path has its own requirements for getting and keeping a license or certification, and these requirements can be different depending on where you live. You can also learn more about each role.

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Florida Careers

Addiction Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High School/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 - 6000 hours (less for more advanced degrees)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 100 - 300 hours directly supervised (depends on degree)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Undergraduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 or 4000 hours (depends on degree relevance)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 100 -150 hours directly supervised (depends on degree relevance)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 4000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 200 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Nursing

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes for nurse licensure; no for APRN
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Must be a licensed RN
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Must be a licensed RN; 3000 hours required for independent practice
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 24 hours

Clinical Social Worker

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Mental Health

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 30 hours

Community Health Worker

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High School/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 500 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 10 hours

Marriage and Family Therapist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Mental Health

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 30 hours

Mental Health Counselor

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Mental Health

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2 years (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 30 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Undergraduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 4000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 150 hours directly supervised
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Undergraduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 100 hours directly supervised
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Peer Recovery Support Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High school/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 1000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 24 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 10 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High School/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 500 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 500 hours (generally supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 10 hours

Physician Assistant

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Medicine

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? No
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? No
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? No
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 100 hours

Prevention Specialist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High School/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 120 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 20 hours

Psychiatric Aide

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Certification Board

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Not applicable
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? High School/GED
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 1000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 24 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? No
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 12 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 10 hours

Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Medicine

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Not specified
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 30 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Medicine

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 30 hours

Psychologist

Issuing body and coverage area Issuer of the license or certification Florida Board of Psychology

For more information
Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? Yes
Obtaining a license or certification for the first time What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? Graduate
Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? Yes
Are practice hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours
Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised)
Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? Yes
Renewing a license or certification How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? 24 months
Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? Yes, 40 hours

Last Updated: 10/18/2024, 05/07/2025, 07/21/2025

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/about/careers/behavioral-health-workforce/careers-by-state?field_bwc_state_value=Florida