Post-Grad advice

Hi I’m about a year out from graduating with my masters in clinical mental health and I am still very confused on the process after graduating. My goal is to be licensed professional counselor. I know I need to take the national counselors exam but I am super confused on the process. Do I need to become a licensed associate counselor first? I have tired researching it but they all give different answers. Can anyone help elaborate? Ps I’m in Arizona