Stay Licensed, Stay Current
Continuing Education is required for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) in New York to maintain active registration and continue practicing.
It is not just a requirement—continuing education ensure you stay current with evolving standards, ethics, and clinical practices.
What is Continuing Education?
Continuing Education is comprised of structured learning activities that support ongoing professional development after licensure. They may include:
- Workshops and trainings
- Webinars and online courses
- Conferences and professional events
To count toward licensure renewal, continuing education must be completed through providers approved by the New York State Education Department.
New York State Requirements
Licensed Mental Health Counselors in New York must complete:
- 36 hours of continuing education every 3 years, as part of license registration renewal
- Continuing education is not required during the first registration period for a newly licensed professional
Self-Study Limits
New York State places limits on self-study (independent learning, such as recorded webinars or online modules):
- No more than 12 hours in a 36-month period
- Or no more than one-third of the required hours in other registration periods
This means the majority of your continuing education hours must come from live or interactive learning experiences.
Continuing Education
The NYMHCA Institute
The NYMHCA Institute is an approved provider of continuing education for mental health professionals in New York State, including mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists, creative arts therapists, marriage & family therapists, OASAS credentialed professionals. The NYMHCA Institute is also approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors and credits are accepted in most states.
We offer:
- Live and virtual trainings
- Workshops and webinars
- Topic-specific education grounded in current practice and policy
All offerings are aligned with New York State requirements and led by experienced professionals in the field.
