Mandatory Continuing Education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors

Beginning January 1, 2017 each Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education courses for each triennial registration period. No more than 12 hours of continuing education activities in any 36 month period, or one-third of the total hours in periods of other length, may consist of self-study educational activities from New York State Education Department approved providers (The NYS Education Department will grant an adjustment to all licensees, regardless of registration renewal date, to utilize self-study for any coursework taken during the period March 1, 2020 – January 1, 2023, provided that it is taken from a Department-approved provider and is in an acceptable subject area for the specific profession).

Continuing Education for Mental Health Counselors - FAQs

Visit the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions website for answers to the most commonly asked questions about continuing education requirements for mental health counselors. 

Visit the OP Website

New York Mental Health Counselors Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (#MHC-0034).

NYMHCA is a state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), which is recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors as an approved provider of continuing education for National Certified Counselors (#1012)