Scope of Practice and Title Protection
Scope of practice and title protection
Scope questions turn on two different things: what an LPC may do and who may use the protected title. Mississippi law protects the titles 'Licensed Professional Counselor' and 'LPC' (and abbreviations). An unlicensed person may not hold out as an LPC, and licensees may not aid unlicensed practice. Scope includes counseling, appraisal, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, consultation, and referral-within the counselor's competence and training. LPCs do not prescribe medication and must refer for medical evaluation when indicated.
Exemptions matter: clergy, school counselors, psychologists, social workers, physicians, attorneys, and certain trainees or employees may perform counseling within their lawful roles, but exemptions are limited to that role. A school counselor who opens a private practice using 'LPC' without a license is outside the exemption.
Traps: (1) generic words like 'counselor,' 'therapist,' or 'coach' are not automatically protected, but using them to imply LPC status can violate title protection; (2) scope is not a license to practice everything in the DSM-competence and training define limits; (3) telehealth is practice where the client is located, so multistate questions arise; (4) advertising must be accurate and not misleading.
Worked example: a client asks for a diagnosis for disability paperwork. The LPC may diagnose within competence, but must use accepted assessment methods and avoid unsupported opinions. Key point: protect the title, stay inside competence, and distinguish exemption from licensure.