New Hampshire Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

1) Key New Hampshire Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In New Hampshire, the credentialing and licensure process for counselors and therapists is regulated by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice. The primary types of licenses include the Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). These licenses require specific educational qualifications, supervised clinical experience, and passing relevant examinations.

Below is a breakdown of the requirements, license renewal details, and associated fees.

Credentialing Requirements for Counselors and Therapists in New Hampshire

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling or a closely related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or an equivalent accrediting body.
- Supervised Experience: At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision.
- Examination: Passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or an equivalent exam.
- Application Fee: $150 for the initial application and licensing.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) or an equivalent program.
- Supervised Experience: At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical experience, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision.
- Examination: Passing the Marriage and Family Therapy National Examination.
- Application Fee: $150 for the initial application and licensing.

Licensure Renewal Details and Continuing Education

Licensure for both LCMHC and LMFT in New Hampshire must be renewed every two years. The renewal process requires completing continuing education (CE) hours to ensure that practitioners stay updated on best practices, ethical standards, and advancements in their field. The renewal process typically includes:

LCMHC Renewal Requirements:
- Renewal Period: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 40 hours of continuing education during each renewal cycle, with 6 hours dedicated to ethics.
- Renewal Fee: $275.
LMFT Renewal Requirements:
- Renewal Period: Every two years.
- Continuing Education: 40 hours of continuing education during each renewal cycle, with 6 hours dedicated to ethics.
- Renewal Fee: $275.

Additional Fees for Licensure

Late Renewal Fee: $55 for any renewal applications submitted after the deadline but within the grace period.
Inactive Status Fee: $50 if a practitioner chooses to place their license in inactive status.
Reinstatement Fee: $100 for reinstating a license that has lapsed.

Continuing Education Requirements

Ethics Requirement: Both LCMHCs and LMFTs must complete at least 6 hours of ethics-specific continuing education.
Approved Providers: Continuing education activities must be from approved providers such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), or American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

Meeting these credentialing and renewal requirements is essential for maintaining a professional license in New Hampshire and ensuring that counselors and therapists provide high-quality care.

Sources:

New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) – Mental Health Practice: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mental-health-practice
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): https://www.nbcc.org
New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice Licensure Fees: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/mental-health-practice/fees

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet New Hampshire requirements for Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education credits.

2) New Hampshire Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In New Hampshire, counselors and therapists, specifically Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), are required to complete continuing education (CE) in order to renew their licenses every two years.

The continuing education process ensures that professionals maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices, ethical standards, and evolving techniques in their fields. Below is an overview of the CE requirements for both LCMHCs and LMFTs in the state of New Hampshire.

General Continuing Education Requirements

Total Hours Required: Counselors and therapists must complete 40 hours of continuing education within each two-year licensure period.
Ethics Requirement: Out of the 40 total CE hours, 6 hours must be specifically focused on ethics. These courses cover professional conduct, ethical standards in practice, and related topics that ensure adherence to ethical guidelines.
Direct Counseling or Therapy Work: The continuing education should be related directly to counseling, therapy, or mental health practices. Topics such as new treatment methodologies, advancements in clinical therapy, client communication techniques, or mental health diagnostics are encouraged.

Approved Continuing Education Providers

The state of New Hampshire requires that all CE activities be conducted by approved providers. Some recognized and reputable providers include:

American Counseling Association (ACA): CE programs offered by the ACA are widely accepted and cover a broad range of counseling-related topics.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): The NBCC provides CE opportunities that focus on various aspects of counseling practice, ethical guidelines, and emerging trends.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT): LMFTs can obtain CE credits through AAMFT-approved courses, which typically focus on family systems theory, marriage counseling, and related therapeutic interventions.
University or College Programs: Accredited universities or colleges offering postgraduate-level counseling or mental health programs may also count towards CE requirements, as long as the program relates to clinical practice.
State and National Conferences: Participation in state and national mental health conferences can often count towards CE hours, as long as they are focused on relevant professional topics.

Documentation and Reporting of Continuing Education

Record-Keeping: Licensees must retain documentation of their CE activities, including certificates of completion, for at least three years following their renewal. This documentation may be required for auditing purposes by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
Audit: The board may conduct random audits of licensed counselors and therapists to verify CE compliance. During this audit, professionals will be required to provide proof of their completed CE hours.

Online and In-Person CE Options

Counselors and therapists in New Hampshire have the flexibility to complete their continuing education through various formats, including:

Online Courses: Many accredited CE providers offer online courses that meet the state’s requirements. This is a convenient option for busy professionals who may not be able to attend in-person events.
Workshops and Seminars: Local and national workshops or seminars, often hosted by professional organizations, can provide hands-on learning experiences and interaction with peers.

Special CE Requirements

Supervisors of Counselors and Therapists: Licensed professionals who provide clinical supervision to candidates for licensure must also ensure they receive supervisor-specific CE training as mandated by the board. This is typically included as part of the 40 hours of required CE.

By adhering to these continuing education requirements, counselors and therapists in New Hampshire ensure they remain competent, ethical, and effective in their practice. It also fosters continuous professional development and better service for clients.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet New Hampshire Counselor and Therapist CE requirements and track your completed CEs, 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 Hampshire Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEs

Q: What are the key deadlines for renewing my counseling or therapy license in New Hampshire?

A: In New Hampshire, licensed counselors and therapists must renew their licenses every two years. The specific deadline for your license renewal will depend on your initial licensure date, and the state typically provides renewal reminders as your expiration date approaches. It is crucial to complete your renewal application and meet all continuing education (CE) requirements before your license expires to avoid penalties, such as late fees or a lapse in your ability to legally practice.

If your renewal is not completed on time, you may face a late renewal fee of $55. Failing to renew within a certain grace period may require you to apply for reinstatement, which comes with an additional fee of $100.

Q: What types of continuing education (CE) activities count toward the 40-hour requirement for licensure renewal?

A: New Hampshire requires licensed counselors (LCMHC) and therapists (LMFT) to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. These CE hours should focus on counseling, therapy, or mental health-related topics that enhance your professional knowledge and skills. Out of the 40 hours, 6 must be dedicated to ethics training.

Approved CE activities can include workshops, seminars, conferences, online courses, and university-level coursework from recognized providers such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Courses related to clinical practice, mental health advancements, new treatment techniques, and ethical standards are all acceptable forms of continuing education.

Q: What happens if I do not complete the required continuing education (CE) hours before my license renewal?

A: If you fail to complete the required 40 hours of continuing education, including the mandatory 6 hours of ethics training, before your license renewal date, your ability to renew your license may be affected. The New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice may not approve your renewal application if all CE requirements are not met. In the event of an incomplete renewal, you could face penalties such as a late fee or potential licensure suspension, requiring you to stop practicing until the issue is resolved.

If your license expires without meeting CE requirements, you may need to apply for reinstatement, which involves additional costs and submission of CE documentation. Additionally, New Hampshire conducts random audits of CE compliance, so it is critical to keep accurate records of your CE activities for at least three years following each renewal period.

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 NBCC-approved courses that meet New Hampshire Counselor and Therapist CE requirements.

4) Conclusion

► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: Agents of Change Continuing Education

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment