Protecting Your Right to Practice. Advancing Our Shared Mission.
As Michigan counselors, we’ve faced—and overcome—threats to our ability to diagnose, practice independently, and be recognized as essential healthcare providers. MiLPCs exists to keep you informed, represented, and protected. This page is your real-time resource for tracking the legislation, regulations, and agency decisions that impact your work and the well-being of the clients you serve.
Federal Alerts
Counseling Degrees at Risk of Losing Professional Status
The U.S. Department of Education, in its implementation of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), is proposing to exclude Clinical Mental Health Counseling from its list of professional degrees, thus reducing federal student loan limits from $50,000 to just $20,500 annually.
If adopted, this decision will:
- Limit access to graduate training for future counselors
- Worsen the mental health workforce crisis
- Reinforce stigma that mental health care is not “real” health care
What you can do now:
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Ask them to ensure counseling and therapy degrees are classified as professional degrees in all student loan policy revisions.
Upcoming Supreme Court Decision: Chiles vs. Salazer
This decision could determine that psychotherapy is merely free speech and not mental treatment. The impact on the profession of counseling could be devastating.
Ongoing State Advocacy
HB 4981 — Protecting the LLPC Title in Law
Since 1988, Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) has been the official and recognized title used by Michigan’s limited licensees. That title—and the public clarity it provides—is now at risk.
In 2021, LARA removed the word “professional” from its interpretation of the rules, prompting the use of “limited licensed counselors” (LLCs). This new language:
- Creates public confusion with Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Undermines the credibility and clarity of counselor titles
- Has no precedent in statute or history
HB 4981 would fix this by inserting “professional” into the statute and officially protecting the LLPC title for the first time.
Current Status:
HB 4981 has been passed by the House Health Policy Committee and referred to the House Rules Committee. Action is expected in 2026. We worked with the Legislative Service Bureau to write this law and are working with the legislature to pass it.
We will let you know when it’s time to act, and provide sample language when outreach is needed.
Why This Matters
The public often takes for granted that mental health professionals will just “be there” when needed. But behind the scenes, your right to practice, your professional title, and your access to fair treatment under the law are always at risk.
That’s why MiLPCs exists.
Our member-funded advocacy:
- Protects your title and scope of practice
- Keeps state agencies and federal programs accountable
- Gives you a voice in decisions that affect your career
Stay Informed. Stay Protected.
We send clear, timely updates when action is needed. No noise. No spam. Just the facts and the tools you need.
Join the Newsletter
Become a Member
Support Our Work
Advocacy Archive
Browse recent actions, legislative testimony, and behind-the-scenes updates:
- HB 4981 Testimony Summary (Coming Soon)
- Professional Degree Loan Advocacy — Full Letter Template
- Archived Newsletters & Past Wins (Coming Soon)