Making Application

What you're applying for: Permission to begin your supervised practice hours — not the full license itself yet.

How to apply: Set up an account on the board's online applicant portal and complete every required step there.

What you need before you submit:

1. A background check through the FBI (based on fingerprints).
2. A separate background check through OSBI (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation), also fingerprint-based.
3. Your official transcript sent directly from your university.
4. A signed form verifying your internship or practicum hours.
5. Payment of the application fee (done through the portal).

Important warnings:

• Don't submit early. If you're missing any items, wait until you have all of them — the Board won't review or accept a partial application.
• Fees don't come back. Once you pay, that money is non-refundable, even if something goes wrong with your application later. So make sure everything is truly ready before you pay.

To apply, you'll go to the online applicant portal and set up an account, then submit your application.Use the following link to access the applicant portal: Applicant Portal

The basic steps are:

1. Start your account – Go to the portal and click "Apply Now."
2. Verify your email – Enter your email twice to confirm it, then submit. You'll get an activation email with a temporary password.
3. Log in – Use your email and that temporary password to sign in.
4. Set up security questions – You'll be asked to set up two-step verification questions (for account security).
5. Create a real password – Replace the temporary one with a new password of your choosing.
6. Start your application – Once logged in, click "Start New Application."
7. Pick your license type – Choose the license you're applying for from a dropdown menu, then follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Steps in order: activate account → verify email → log in with temp password → set up security → make new password → start application → choose license type → complete the form.

FBI background check requirement:

• Since January 1, 2024, anyone applying for a new license must get an FBI fingerprint-based background check.
• The check must be recent — if it's stamped or processed more than 30 days before you submit your application, the Board won't accept it.

How to request the check:

1. The fastest way is to request your FBI Identity History Summary Check online at https://www.fbi.gov/checks (click "Online" for instructions). Mail-in options are also listed there.
2. Use a computer, not a phone or tablet, and use Firefox or Internet Explorer — the FBI's system doesn't work with Chrome or Safari.
3. If you mail your request instead, pay for tracking (through USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.) so you can confirm it arrives.
4. Once the FBI receives your request, expect about 7 business days before you get your results by email.
5. If you also want a paper copy mailed to you, check the "preferences box" on the application to request that.

Watch the timing:

• The background check must be dated within 30 days of when you submit your application to the Board — if it's older than that, it won't be accepted, so don't do this step too early.

OSBI background check requirement:

• All new applicants for licensure are required to obtain an OSBI fingerprint-based background check. 
• The check must be recent — if it's stamped or processed more than 30 days before you submit your application, the Board won't accept it.

How to request the check:

1. Get fingerprinted. Find a local place that does fingerprinting — police department, sheriff's office, university police, etc. Ask for two fingerprint cards (blue or black, standard/universal cards work anywhere).
2. Fill out the OSBI form. Download and complete the OSBI Criminal History Record Information Request Form.The OSBI request from may be downloaded at the following link, OSBI Criminal History Record Information Request Form. 
3. Choose the right service. On the form, select the State Fingerprint-Based option, which costs $19. Do not use OSBI-CHIRP — it won't be accepted.
4. List yourself twice. Put yourself down as both the requestor and the subject of the background check, so the results get mailed/sent back to you directly.
5. Skip the ORI number. If the form asks for an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI), you can leave that blank — it's only needed if an agency is requesting it, not an individual.
6. Mail it in. Send the completed form along with both fingerprint cards to OSBI for processing.

Watch the timing:

The background check must be dated within 30 days of when you submit your application to the Board — if it's older than that, it won't be accepted, so don't do this step too early.

Official transcript:

The Board must receive an official transcript in order to verify the academic requirements. You can submit your transcript two ways:

1. Request the university bursar send an electronic password protected transcript to info.behavioralhealth@bbhl.ok.gov.
2. Mail a sealed transcript to: BBHL, 3815 N Santa Fe, Ste 110, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. 

Verification of Academic Standing:

• If the official transcript is not available at the time of application, you can still apply now using an unofficial transcript plus the Verification of Academic Standing form. You may review the requirements at the following link: Verification of Academic Standing
• If you submit the "unofficial transcript + verification of academic standing" and get approved to take your exam, you'll still need to submit the official transcript later before your application is fully complete — and before you can request approval for a supervision agreement.

For more details on the minimum academic requirements for license and to check if you qualify, visit the following link: Academic Requirements

New applicants for licensure must verify they completed a minimum of 300 hours of internship and/or practicum as a component of their qualifying graduate program.

• You may obtain the Internship/Practicum Verification Form at the following link: Internship/Practicum Verification Form
• The Board must receive the Board's verification form - other methods of documentation will not be considered.

Getting approved to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE)

1. Submit a complete application to the Board.
2. The Board reviews your application and your academic records.
3. Once both reviews are approved, the Board provides an "exam eligibility period" — a window of time during which you're cleared to test.
4. You'll get a notice with instructions on how to register for the exam.

After you sit for the exam, there are two possible situations:

Pathway 1 — You get Board approval first, then sit for the exam:

• Your results get uploaded automatically to Oklahoma's exam results portal.
• This happens around the 15th of the month after the month you tested. (So if you test in March, expect results around April 15th.)

Pathway 2 — You already passed the exam before applying (e.g., through a certified graduate program or in another state):

• Your passing score is not sent automatically.
• You have to personally request that your score be sent/uploaded to the Oklahoma exam results portal.

Getting approved to sit for the state jurisprudence exam:

1. Submit a complete application to the Board.
2. The Board reviews your application and your academic records.
3. Once both reviews are approved, the Board provides an "exam eligibility period" — a window of time during which you're cleared to test.
4. You'll get a notice with instructions on how to register for the exam.

After you sit for the exam:

After you sit the Oklahoma Jurisprudence exam, the results are automatically forwarded to the Board. Please allow 3 business days for the Board to receive the result.

What you're applying for: Full licensure - current license holder in another jurisdiction to provide independent practice.

How to apply: Set up an account on the board's online applicant portal and complete every required step there.

What you need before you submit:

1. A background check through the FBI (based on fingerprints).
2. A separate background check through OSBI (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation), also fingerprint-based.
3. Your official transcript sent directly from your university.
4. Proof of your license in the other state, verified directly by that state's licensing board (not just a copy of your license) — the Board has its own form for this, but you can use another state's equivalent form instead if you prefer.You may find the Board's Out-of-State verification form at the following link: Out-of-State Verification Form
5. Payment of the application fee (done through the portal).

Important warnings:

• Don't submit early. If you're missing any of these five items, wait until you have all of them — the Board won't review or accept a partial application.
• Fees don't come back. Once you pay, that money is non-refundable, even if something goes wrong with your application later. So make sure everything is truly ready before you pay.

To apply, you'll go to the online applicant portal and set up an account, then submit your application.Use the following link to access the applicant portal: Applicant Portal

The basic steps are:

1. Start your account – Go to the portal and click "Apply Now."
2. Verify your email – Enter your email twice to confirm it, then submit. You'll get an activation email with a temporary password.
3. Log in – Use your email and that temporary password to sign in.
4. Set up security questions – You'll be asked to set up two-step verification questions (for account security).
5. Create a real password – Replace the temporary one with a new password of your choosing.
6. Start your application – Once logged in, click "Start New Application."
7. Pick your license type – Choose the license you're applying for from a dropdown menu, then follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Steps in order: activate account → verify email → log in with temp password → set up security → make new password → start application → choose license type → complete the form.

FBI background check requirement:

• Since January 1, 2024, anyone applying for a new license must get an FBI fingerprint-based background check.
• The check must be recent — if it's stamped or processed more than 30 days before you submit your application, the Board won't accept it.

How to request the check:

1. The fastest way is to request your FBI Identity History Summary Check online at https://www.fbi.gov/checks (click "Online" for instructions). Mail-in options are also listed there.
2. Use a computer, not a phone or tablet, and use Firefox or Internet Explorer — the FBI's system doesn't work with Chrome or Safari.
3. If you mail your request instead, pay for tracking (through USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.) so you can confirm it arrives.
4. Once the FBI receives your request, expect about 7 business days before you get your results by email.
5. If you also want a paper copy mailed to you, check the "preferences box" on the application to request that.

Watch the timing:

• The background check must be dated within 30 days of when you submit your application to the Board — if it's older than that, it won't be accepted, so don't do this step too early.

OSBI background check requirement:

• All new applicants for licensure are required to obtain an OSBI fingerprint-based background check. 
• The check must be recent — if it's stamped or processed more than 30 days before you submit your application, the Board won't accept it.

How to request the check:

1. Get fingerprinted. Find a local place that does fingerprinting — police department, sheriff's office, university police, etc. Ask for two fingerprint cards (blue or black, standard/universal cards work anywhere).
2. Fill out the OSBI form. Download and complete the OSBI Criminal History Record Information Request Form.The OSBI request from may be downloaded at the following link, OSBI Criminal History Record Information Request Form. 
3. Choose the right service. On the form, select the State Fingerprint-Based option, which costs $19. Do not use OSBI-CHIRP — it won't be accepted.
4. List yourself twice. Put yourself down as both the requestor and the subject of the background check, so the results get mailed/sent back to you directly.
5. Skip the ORI number. If the form asks for an Originating Agency Identifier (ORI), you can leave that blank — it's only needed if an agency is requesting it, not an individual.
6. Mail it in. Send the completed form along with both fingerprint cards to OSBI for processing.

Watch the timing:

• The background check must be dated within 30 days of when you submit your application to the Board — if it's older than that, it won't be accepted, so don't do this step too early.

An application for licensure by endorsement does not require a traditional academic review. However, the degree earned must be primary source verified through receipt of an official transcript. You can submit your transcript two ways:

1. Request the university bursar send an electronic password protected transcript to info.behavioralhealth@bbhl.ok.gov.
2. Mail a sealed transcript to: BBHL, 3815 N Santa Fe, Ste 110, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. 

Getting approved to sit for the state jurisprudence exam:

1. Submit a complete application to the Board.
2. The Board reviews your application and your academic records.
3. Once both reviews are approved, the Board provides an "exam eligibility period" — a window of time during which you're cleared to test.
4. You'll get a notice with instructions on how to register for the exam.

After you sit for the exam:

After you sit the Oklahoma Jurisprudence exam, the results are automatically forwarded to the Board. Please allow 3 business days for the Board to receive the result.