Licensed counselors in New Hampshire are known as Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs). The state’s premier professional organization for CMHCs is the New Hampshire Mental Health Counselors’ Association, a local chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors’ Association whose mission is to “promote and support the professionalism of and collaboration among clinical mental health counselors.” Licensure for counselors in New Hampshire is managed by the state Board of Mental Health Practice.

Licensure requirements for counselors in New Hampshire, including those relating to education, supervision, examination, fees, and renewal, are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to aspiring CMHCs in the state.

CMHC licensure in New Hampshire requires the completion of a 60-credit master’s or doctorate degree from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited graduate program or a similar program that meets the same academic requirements.

Appropriate degree programs will include at least 30 credit hours of graduate coursework in the following content areas:

CMHC licensure in New Hampshire may require the completion of a practicum or internship depending on the applicant’s completed degree program—particularly if it was not accredited by CACREP. The practicum/internship should be 700 hours.

This practicum/internship is a distinct requirement from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for CMHC licensure in New Hampshire.

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“Supervision” is shorthand for post-graduate, directed experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. New Hampshire requires aspiring CMHCs to complete 3,000 hours of supervision in a minimum of two years, with at least of one hour per week individual face-to-face direction from an approved supervisor who is licensed as a CMHC.

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CMHC licensure in New Hampshire requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam, which tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation, and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis, and treatment. It is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

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CMHCs in New Hampshire can expect to pay the following fees for their license, renewal, and examination:

CMHC Application: $150

CMHC License: $135

CMHC License Renewal: $270

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CMHC licenses in New Hampshire expire biennially on the date they were issued. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.

New Hampshire CMHCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. At least 30 of these hours must be from “Category A,” which means they must be obtained through approved means, like participating in or preparing seminars or workshops, completing graduate-level coursework, or publishing peer-reviewed articles or books. Six hours must be accrued in ethics from this category and three hours in collaborative means.

Category A activities must be approved by the American Psychological Association, American Association of Pastoral Counselors, National Association of Social Workers, National Board for Certified Counselors, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Counseling Association, American Medical Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, or Association of Social Work Boards. “Category B” activities are similar in nature but do not have such organizational approval. No more than 10 hours can be accrued from category B activities.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other states. Applicants from out-of-state are required to submit an application, pass the NCMHCE, meet the educational, course, and supervision requirements as well as pay the applicable fee.

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The following types of counselors in New Hampshire can expect to earn the respective average hourly and average annual wages, according to May 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring CMHCs in New Hampshire:

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*Licensure information including requirements, salaries, renewals, scholarships and fees were retrieved as of May 2022. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.

Last Updated: May 2022