Counselors in New York who have obtained their licensure are known as licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), while those who have yet to complete the supervision portion of the licensure process can have a limited permit to practice.

The state’s premier professional organization for LMHCs is the American Counseling Association of New York, whose mission is “to enhance the quality of life in society by promoting the development of professional counselors, advancing the counseling profession and using the profession and practice of counseling to promote respect for human dignity and diversity.”

Licensure for LMHCs in New York is managed by the New York State Board of Mental Health Practitioners, a division of the New York State Education Department. Licensure requirements for counselors in New York, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal and “licensure by endorsement,” 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 LMHCs in the state.

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New York LMHC licensure requires the completion of a master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or other acceptable accrediting agency.

Appropriate degree programs will be 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, with instruction in each of the following core content areas:

In addition to the coursework listed above, New York LMHC licensure also requires the completion of a year-long supervised internship or practicum in mental health counseling, which adds up to at least 600 clock hours. This requirement is distinct from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for licensure.

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“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. New York LMHC licensure requires the completion of 3,000 hours of supervision, with 1,500 hours of direct client contact.

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Licensure as a mental health counselor in New York requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE), 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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LMHCs can expect to pay the following fees for license application, renewal and examination in New York:

LMHC licensure application and first registration fee: $371

Limited permit: $70

LMHC Triennial License Renewal: $175

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New York LMHC licenses expire every three years. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fee and the completion of continuing education. New licensees are exempt from continuing education.

LMHCs in New York are required to complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) during each triennial renewal term. A maximum of 12 of these hours may be from self-instructional coursework; the rest must be through formal education which contributes to professional practice in mental health counseling. This includes collegiate level courses and professional development programs offered by national, state and local professional associations. All CE must be obtained from providers approved by the New York State Board of Mental Health Practitioners.

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The New York State Board for Mental Health Practitioners has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained their licenses in other parts of the United States. This process is called “licensure by endorsement”. Applicants seeking licensure by endorsement through New York must submit proof of an active and in good standing licensure of at least five years in their originating jurisdiction. Out-of-state applicants must furnish proof of having met equivalent requirements as set forth by New York’s licensing board.

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New York counselors earned the following mean hourly and annual wages in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to New York LMHCs:

Mental Health Association (MHA) of Nassau County Awards and Scholarships

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*Licensure information including requirements, 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