Counseling License Requirements in New York
- Licensure Requirements
- How Long Does It Take?
- Out-of-State Licensure
- Licensure Renewal
- Salary Expectations
- Professional Organizations
- FAQ
Mental health professionals are in high demand throughout the United States and in New York state in particular. This guide explores New York counseling licensure requirements.
New York Counselor Licensure Requirements
In New York, counseling licensure types include:
- Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
- Professional school counselor (PSC)
The New York State Education Department (SED) Office of the Professions oversees LMHC and LMFT licensure, while the Office of Teaching Initiatives manages school counselor licensing.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
To become an LMHC in New York, you must meet the following requirements:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- At least 3,000 clock hours of documented counseling experience, all of which must be accrued after the completion of your qualifying graduate degree
- At least 1,500 of those 3,000 clock hours must involve direct client contact, while the remainder must cover case management, supervision, professional development, or research duties
- All experience must be directly supervised by a New York state-licensed mental health counselor, psychologist, physician or physician assistant, registered nurse or nurse practitioner, or licensed clinical social worker
- Passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
In addition, your qualifying degree must be registered as a licensure-qualifying program with the SED. Otherwise, the Office of the Professions must perform a substantial equivalency check. You may need to complete additional coursework if your degree is deemed inequivalent.
New York does not accept the National Counselor Examination (NCE). You cannot substitute a pass on the NCE for the NCMHCE.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
New York’s LMFT licensure requirements include the following:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage or family therapy, registered with the SED as licensure-qualifying or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), or:
- A master’s, professional, or doctoral degree in mental health counseling, psychology, social work, or another allied health specialization, or:
- An academic degree earned outside the United States, determined by the SED to be substantially equivalent to one of the two aforementioned educational pathways
- At least 1,500 marriage and family therapy client contact hours, supervised and documented by an LMFT or other licensed allied health professional
- A passing score on the Examination in Marital and Family Therapy, a standardized test developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards
Your qualifying program must include family law training, and a supervised practicum or fieldwork component of at least 300 clock hours.
In addition, you must complete your 1,500 MFT client contact hours while holding an active limited permit issued by the SED, or while enrolled in your qualifying postsecondary program.
Professional School Counselor
New York certification requirements for professional school counselors include:
- Completion of a school counseling program approved by the SED, or a master’s degree or higher with substantially equivalent course requirements
- At least 100 supervised practicum hours completed during graduate studies, including at least 40 hours of direct student services
- At least 600 supervised internship hours completed during graduate studies, including at least 240 hours of direct student services
- Three years of paid, full-time experience as a school counselor
- Passing score on the New York school counseling content specialty test
- Completion of required teacher mentorship and workshop experiences
Entry-level candidates can earn their initial school counselor (ISC) certificate without full-time employment experience and later advance to PSC.
To obtain an ISC or PSC credential, you must also pass a fingerprint clearance check. All New York school counselors must hold U.S. citizenship or documented permanent residency.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in New York?
The time it takes to earn New York counseling licensure depends on the type of credential you’re seeking. It takes about 6-8 years to become an LMHC or LMFT, which includes earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree and completing supervised experience requirements. It generally takes about six years to become a PSC. Your timeline will extend if you earn a doctoral degree in any of these disciplines.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in New York
Out-of-state license reciprocity guidelines vary by license type. The following table offers a high-level overview of the New York’s licensing standards:
| License | Is Reciprocity Available? | Reciprocity Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| LMHC | Yes (licensure by endorsement) | Hold an equivalent license issued by another state, with at least five years of licensed practice in the 10-year period preceding your application |
| LMFT | Yes (licensure by endorsement) | Hold an equivalent license issued by another state, with at least five years of licensed practice in the 10-year period preceding your application |
| PSC | Yes, if you obtained your current license in the United States | Request a review of your credentials through the SED’s TEACH Online Services system |
How to Renew a Counseling License in New York
Your specific license determines how often you must renew your license and the number of continuing professional experience requirements. Generally, you must renew your LMHC or LMFT license every three years and complete 36 CPE hours. If you have a PSC license, the renewal cycle is longer at five years and no CPE hours are required.
| License | Length of Licensing Cycle | Total CPE Requirements for Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| LMHC | 3 years | 36 hours |
| LMFT | 3 years | 36 hours |
| PSC | 5 years | Do not apply |
Salary Expectations for Counselors in New York
Most licensed counselors and therapists in New York earn salaries that exceed national averages. The notable exception applies to marriage and family therapists, who earn about 8% less in New York than the national average.
As you compare earning potential and job offers, remember that New York has one of the highest costs of living of any U.S. state. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, New York’s cost of living was about 23% higher than the national average in 2024.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $35.06 | $72,930 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $30.35 | $63,130 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $27.07 | $56,310 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $32.33 | $67,240 |
| Counselors, All Other | $25.12 | $52,260 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in New York
New York Mental Health Counselors Association
Offering student, individual, and organizational memberships, this professional association offers advocacy services, professional development programs, and valuable administrative tools for active practitioners.
New York State School Counselor Association
Functioning as part of the American School Counselor Association, the NYSSCA provides advocacy and curriculum resources while advancing the school counselor profession in New York through professional periodicals.
American Counseling Association of New York
The ACA of New York supports both emerging and established counselors with multiple membership tiers, live and virtual events, continuing education programs, and more.
