How to Prepare for Licensure in New York State

What Licensure Requires

To become an LMHC in New York, you must complete:

• A qualifying graduate degree (minimum 60 credit hours)
• 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate experience
  • Including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact
• A passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
• A formal application through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions

You can review the full breakdown of requirements directly through the Office of Professions.

Each step has specific requirements—and small missteps can delay your path forward.

Understanding the Licensure Process

Meeting the requirements is one thing. Moving through them in the right order—and at the right time—is where many applicants run into delays.

1. Complete Your Education
   Your degree must meet New York State requirements, including specific coursework and supervised clinical training, as outlined by the Office of Professions.
2. Apply for a Limited Permit
   Before you begin accruing hours, you must receive a limited permit. This is one of the most common points of confusion.
   • Your hours do not begin counting until the permit is issued
   • You must already have your education approved before applying
   • Delays in applying can delay your entire licensure timeline
     
     Here is a link to access all application forms.
3. Complete Your Supervised Experience
   Once your permit is active, you can begin accruing hours under an approved supervisor.
   
   Key things to know:
   • Only post-permit hours count
   • Experience must be properly supervised and documented
   • Not all work settings or arrangements qualify
4. Prepare for and Pass the Licensing Exam
   The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination is designed to evaluate clinical decision-making through case-based scenarios—not memorization. Many applicants underestimate the format of this exam.
   
   You can review exam details on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) website.
5. Apply for Full Licensure
   Once all requirements are complete, you can submit your application through the Office of the Professions. Incomplete documentation or timing issues can delay final approval, so accuracy matters.