1) Key New York Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates
In New York, mental health counselors (LMHC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), and creative arts therapists (LCAT) must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. Each profession has its own education, supervised experience, and examination requirements set by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions (NYSED).
Below is a breakdown of these professions’ credentialing and licensure requirements, along with licensure renewal details and associated costs.
1. Credentialing and Licensure Requirements for Counselors and Therapists in New York
a) Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Education: Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling (or the equivalent) from a NYSED-approved program, which includes at least 60 semester hours.
- Supervised Experience: 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience in mental health counseling.
- Examination: Completing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
b) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Education: Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (or the equivalent) from a NYSED-approved program, with at least 60 semester hours.
- Supervised Experience: 1,500 hours of direct client contact and 300 hours of supervision post-degree.
- Examination: Passing score on the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) examination.
c) Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT)
- Education: Master’s degree in Creative Arts Therapy from a NYSED-approved program with at least 48 semester hours.
- Supervised Experience: 1,500 hours of supervised post-degree experience in creative arts therapy.
- Examination: Pass the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE) or other NYSED-approved exams, depending on the specific discipline.
2. Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education Requirements
In New York, LMHCs, LMFTs, and LCATs must renew their licenses every three years. Each profession must also meet continuing education (CE) requirements to stay updated on current practices.
- License Duration: 3 years
- Continuing Education Requirement: 36 hours of approved CE during each renewal period.
- Of these 36 hours, at least 12 must be in specific subject areas, such as ethical practice and clinical supervision (where applicable).
- Exemptions: Newly licensed professionals are exempt from CE requirements for their first three years of licensure.
3. Fees for Licensure and Renewal
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Initial Licensure Application Fee:
- LMHC: $371
- LMFT: $371
- LCAT: $371
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Licensure Renewal Fees:
- LMHC: $179 every three years
- LMFT: $179 every three years
- LCAT: $179 every three years
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Exam Fees:
- NCMHCE (LMHC): $275
- AMFTRB Exam (LMFT): Varies by jurisdiction (typically around $350)
- ATCBE (LCAT): $260
4. Penalties for Late Renewal
If you fail to renew your license on time, you may incur late fees and face restrictions on your ability to practice. Licensees who allow their license to lapse for over five years may be required to reapply and potentially meet additional requirements.
Sources:
Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet New York’s requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.
2) New York Counselor and Therpist Continuing Education Requirements
In New York, licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), and creative arts therapists (LCAT) must meet specific Continuing Education (CE) requirements to maintain their licenses.
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates these requirements to ensure that counselors and therapists continue to enhance their professional skills and stay updated on new developments in the field. Below is a detailed breakdown of the CE requirements for these professions.
1. General Continuing Education Requirements
- Total Hours Required: 36 hours of approved Continuing Education during each three-year licensure period.
- Deadline: The deadline for license renewal for counselors and therapists is based on the licensee’s birth month. Specifically, your license must be renewed every three years, with the renewal date falling on the last day of your birth month in the renewal year.
- Exemptions: Newly licensed professionals are exempt from CE requirements during their first three years of licensure.
- Subject Areas: The CE coursework must be in areas relevant to the professional practice of the licensee. This can include topics like ethical standards, therapeutic techniques, assessment tools, and clinical supervision. However, certain subject areas may be mandated, such as specific courses on ethics or trauma-informed care, depending on updates to NYSED guidelines.
2. Approved Providers and Course Formats
- Approved Providers: CE courses must be offered by NYSED-approved providers. These include colleges, universities, professional associations, or entities authorized by the NYSED. It’s essential to confirm that the course provider is accredited by NYSED before registering for CE courses. Agents of Change Continuing Education is approved to offer CEs by NBCC, an entity authorized by the NYSED.
- Course Formats:
- Courses can be taken in various formats, including in-person workshops, seminars, or conferences.
- Online courses are also acceptable as long as they are provided by an NYSED-approved organization. This flexibility allows practitioners to fulfill CE requirements at their own pace and convenience.
3. Types of Activities That Count Toward CE
In addition to traditional coursework, several other professional activities can count toward meeting the CE requirements. These activities include:
- Teaching or Presenting: Licensed professionals can earn CE credits for teaching a CE course or presenting at a professional conference. However, credit for teaching a particular course can only be claimed once per renewal period.
- Publications: Writing a book, article, or research paper relevant to the field of counseling or therapy may also qualify for CE credit.
- Supervision of Graduate Students or Interns: Licensed professionals who serve as clinical supervisors for interns or students in graduate programs may earn a limited number of CE credits for their supervision activities.
4. Recordkeeping and Documentation
- Proof of Completion: Licensees must retain documentation of completed CE activities for six years in case of audit. This documentation should include certificates of completion, transcripts, or letters from the CE provider specifying the number of hours completed.
- Random Audits: The NYSED conducts random audits to verify compliance with CE requirements. Failing to provide proof of compliance during an audit can result in penalties, including fines or suspension of the license.
5. Carrying Over CE Credits
- Carryover Credits: Licensees may carry over up to 12 excess CE credits from one renewal period to the next. These excess credits must be completed in the final year of the current licensure cycle to qualify for carryover.
6. Special Considerations and Waivers
- Incapacitation or Hardship Waivers: In exceptional circumstances, such as severe illness or significant hardship, licensees may apply for a waiver or extension of the CE requirement. Applications for waivers are evaluated by NYSED on a case-by-case basis and are typically granted only in situations of documented and extreme need.
- Partial Exemptions for Advanced Degrees: Some professionals who are actively enrolled in a doctoral or post-graduate program relevant to their field may be eligible for partial exemptions from CE requirements, but this must be approved by NYSED.
Summary of Key Points:
- 36 hours of CE required every three years.
- Approved Providers must offer CE activities, and various formats (in-person, online) are acceptable.
- Carryover Credits of up to 12 hours allowed from the final year of the current period.
- Documentation must be maintained for six years, and random audits may be conducted.
Staying informed about and compliant with CE requirements helps licensed professionals remain competent and ethically grounded while providing high-quality care to their clients.
Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet New York’s Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEUs, with over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet these requirements!
Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
3) FAQs – New York Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEUs
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the Continuing Education (CE) requirements before my license renewal date?
A: If you do not complete the required 36 hours of CE by your license renewal date, you could face serious consequences. Practicing without meeting the CE requirements is considered unlicensed practice, which may result in penalties, fines, or even suspension of your license.
New York State may grant an extension or waiver in exceptional circumstances, such as illness or significant hardship, but you must apply for these exceptions before your renewal deadline. It’s essential to keep track of your CE hours and maintain documentation of all courses completed to avoid any compliance issues.
Q: Can I complete my Continuing Education (CE) hours online, or do they need to be in person?
A: Yes, you can complete your CE hours online as long as the courses are provided by a New York State Education Department (NYSED)-approved provider.
Online courses offer flexibility for busy professionals and can be a convenient way to meet the 36-hour requirement. Just ensure that the provider is accredited by NYSED, and keep records of all course completion certificates for at least six years, as you may need to provide proof of CE hours if you are audited.
Q: How many Continuing Education (CE) hours can I carry over to my next renewal period?
A: In New York, you are allowed to carry over up to 12 excess CE hours from one renewal period to the next, provided that these hours were completed in the last year of your current renewal cycle.
This means if you complete more than the required 36 CE hours, you can apply up to 12 of the extra hours to your next three-year licensure period. This can give you a head start on meeting your future CE requirements, but be sure the hours are appropriately documented and compliant with NYSED guidelines.
Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet New York’s Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.