TITLE 16 OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING

CHAPTER 27 COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS

PART 9 REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AS A MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (LMHC)

16.27.9.1 ISSUING AGENCY: Regulation and Licensing Department Counseling and Therapy Practice Board

[16.27.9.1 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.1, 6/15/2001]

16.27.9.2 SCOPE: All individuals applying for licensure by examination as entry level licensed mental health counselors.

[16.27.9.2 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.2, 6/15/2001; A, 1/18/2023]

16.27.9.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Counselor and Therapist Practice Act, Sections 61-9A-1, 61-9A-3, 61-9A-5, 61-9A-9, 61-9A-14, 61-9A-15, 61-9A-22, 61-9A-23, and 61-9A-24, NMSA 1978.

[16.27.9.3 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.3, 6/15/2001; A, 11/30/2021]

16.27.9.4 DURATION: Permanent

[16.27.9.4 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.1, 6/15/2001]

16.27.9.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: June 15, 2001 unless a different date is cited at the end of a section.

[16.27.9.5 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.1, 6/15/2001]

16.27.9.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 9 is to state the minimum requirements for entry-level licensure as a professional mental health counselor and list the documentation required for application.

[16.27.9.6 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.1, 6/15/2001]

16.27.9.7 DEFINITIONS: [RESERVED]

16.27.9.8 SUPERVISION:

A. Supervision must be provided by a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional art therapist (LPAT), licensed psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or licensed independent social worker (LISW) who holds a supervision designation issued by the counseling and therapy practice board. The licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or the licensed professional mental health counselor (LPC) must practice under supervision. Once the licensed mental health counselor or the licensed professional mental health counselor acquires the official LPCC or LPAT license then the licensee may practice independently without supervision.

B. It is the responsibility of the individual seeking supervision to assure the supervision is acceptable for the level of licensure that will be requested at the completion of the required supervision. The relationship between the supervisor and the applicant must promote the development of skill and responsibility in the delivery of counseling or therapy services.

C. Client contact and supervision hours prior to being licensed will not be acceptable for licensure.

D. Supervised contact hours will become invalid if obtained more than five years prior to submission for independent LPCC licensure. This requirement does not apply to license holders who have continuously maintained a license in good standing.

[16.27.9.8 NMAC - N, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/19/2007; A, 11/30/2021]

16.27.9.9 LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTY OR ART THERAPY SPECIALTY):

A. LMHC is intended as a transition between the required degree and the completion of supervised training required for licensure as a professional clinical mental health counselor or a professional art therapist. All work must be performed under appropriate clinical supervision. Applicants must assure that their education and experience are appropriate for the level of licensure they will seek upon completion of supervised training. There is no maximum time limit as a licensed mental health counselor, but all work at this level must be done under clinical supervision.

B. Qualifications for entry level licensure by examination. An applicant for licensure by examination as an entry-level mental health counselor (LMHC) must possess the following qualifications:

(1) be at least 21 years of age;

(2) applicant must sign a statement provided in the application indicating the applicant has read the code of ethics and agrees to be bound and governed by the code of ethics;

(3) holds a masters or doctoral degree in a counseling or counseling related field with no less than 48 graduate hours or 72 quarter hours in the core curriculum and nine practicum hours; and

(4) have arranged for appropriate clinical supervision, as required by their licensure track.

[16.27.9.9 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.8, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/30/2021; A, 1/18/2023]

16.27.9.10 DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION:

A. A completed application as specified in 16.27.3.8 NMAC.

B. The applicant is required to submit an official transcript in a sealed envelope from each institution contributing to the applicant's master or doctoral degree. The transcript must be submitted with the application. Applicants educated in foreign institutions who are unable to submit certified official transcripts shall submit a statement explaining why such transcripts are not available and shall submit certified copies of the degree certificates granted, information on the curricula offered, and any other documentation requested by the board.

C. A statement from each supervisor in a sealed envelope on a form provided by the board (attachment C) verifying the applicant's has arranged for appropriate supervision supervised experience and setting forth the nature and extent of such supervision must be submitted with the application.

D. Applicant with the mental health specialty must complete attachment E and art therapy specialty must complete attachment F.

E. Application fee of $75.00.

[16.27.9.10 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.9, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 1/18/2023]

16.27.9.11 EXAMINATION: Applicants must demonstrate professional competency by passing the national counselors exam (NCE) or (NCC) and art therapy specialty must demonstrate professional competency by passing the art therapy credentialing board (ATCB) exam.

[16.27.9.11 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.10, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006]

16.27.9.12 [RESERVED]

[16.27.9.12 NMAC - N, 11/30/2021; Repealed, 1/18/2023]

HISTORY OF 16.27.9 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the State Records Center and Archives under:

Rule 8, Requirements for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (Practice Under Supervision), 3/24/1994

Rule 8, Requirements for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (Practice Under Supervision), 3/20/1995

History of Repealed Material

16 NMAC 27.8, Requirements for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (Practice Under Supervision) - Repealed 6/15/2001

16 NMAC 27.9, Licensure by Credentials - Repealed 6/15/2001