New Mexico Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements -

In New Mexico, counselors and therapists must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally in the state.

The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (NMCTPB) oversees the regulation of various counseling professions, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and other specialized areas like art therapy.

Here is an overview of the credentialing process, licensure renewal details, and associated costs for counselors and therapists in New Mexico:

Credentialing and Initial Licensure Requirements

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Education: Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Supervision: Requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience in professional counseling.
- Examination: Passing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or an equivalent board-approved exam.
- Application Fee: $75.
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
- Education: Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field with coursework meeting board requirements.
- Supervision: At least 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised experience.
- Examination: Must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
- Application Fee: $75.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Education: Master’s or doctorate degree in marriage and family therapy or a related field.
- Supervision: 1,000 hours of direct client contact and 200 hours of supervision by a qualified supervisor.
- Examination: Passing the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.
- Application Fee: $75.
Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT)
- Education: Master’s or doctoral degree in art therapy from an accredited program.
- Supervision: Requires 1,000 hours of supervised experience.
- Examination: Must pass the Art Therapy Credentials Board Examination (ATCBE).
- Application Fee: $75.

Licensure Renewal Details

Renewal Period: Licenses must be renewed every two years by June 30th.
Continuing Education (CE): 40 hours of continuing education are required every two years. Of these hours, 6 must be in ethics, and 2 must address cultural competence.
Renewal Fee: The licensure renewal fee for all license types (LMHC, LPCC, LMFT, and LPAT) is $200.

Fees Overview

Initial Application Fee: $75 for all license types.
Examination Fees:
- NCE (for LMHC): Approximately $275.
- NCMHCE (for LPCC): $275.
- AMFTRB Exam (for LMFT): $365.
- ATCBE (for LPAT): $325.
Renewal Fee: $200 (every two years).
Late Renewal Fee: $100 in addition to the regular renewal fee if submitted after the deadline.

Sources

New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department – Counseling and Therapy Practice Board NM RLD Counseling & Therapy Board
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) for NCE and NCMHCE: NBCC
Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) for LMFT exam AMFTRB
Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB) for LPAT exam ATCB

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

2) New Mexico Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In New Mexico, continuing education (CE) is a critical component of maintaining licensure for counselors and therapists. The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (NMCTPB) has established specific requirements to ensure that licensed professionals continue to stay up-to-date with current practices, ethical guidelines, and cultural competence.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the CE requirements for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Professional Art Therapists (LPATs).

Continuing Education Requirements

Total CE Hours Required:
Licensed counselors and therapists in New Mexico must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years in order to renew their licenses.
Specific Topic Requirements:
- Ethics: Of the 40 CE hours, 6 hours must be dedicated to professional ethics. This ensures that counselors and therapists continue to adhere to ethical standards in their practice, which include confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.
- Cultural Competence: A minimum of 2 hours must focus on cultural competence. This training helps professionals develop awareness, knowledge, and skills to work effectively with diverse populations, considering factors like race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Types of Acceptable CE Activities: Continuing education can be obtained through a variety of means, including:
- Workshops, seminars, and conferences.
- Graduate-level coursework in counseling, therapy, or related fields.
- Online courses or webinars that are approved by recognized accrediting bodies (such as the National Board for Certified Counselors [NBCC] or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy [AAMFT]).
Approved Providers: CE activities must be provided by organizations or individuals approved by the NMCTPB or other nationally recognized organizations, including but not limited to:
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
  - Agents of Change Continuing Education is NBCC-approved
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
- American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
Documentation and Audits: Licensees are responsible for maintaining documentation of their completed CE hours, such as certificates of completion or transcripts. While documentation does not need to be submitted with the renewal application, the NMCTPB may conduct random audits, requiring licensees to provide proof of their CE activities. It is recommended that professionals keep records of their CE for at least four years in case of audit.
CE for Newly Licensed Professionals: Newly licensed counselors and therapists in their first renewal cycle must still complete CE requirements but may receive prorated requirements depending on the length of their licensure before the first renewal period. However, the specific ethics and cultural competence hours are still mandatory regardless of prorated CE hours.
Carryover of CE Hours: In some cases, excess CE hours earned in one renewal cycle can be carried over to the next cycle, though the NMCTPB generally does not permit carrying forward more than 12 hours. It is important to verify this based on current board regulations.
Extensions and Waivers: In certain circumstances, the NMCTPB may grant an extension or waiver of the CE requirements, particularly for professionals facing personal or medical hardships. However, this is not guaranteed and must be requested in advance of the renewal deadline.

Failure to Meet CE Requirements

If a licensee fails to meet the required CE hours before the renewal deadline, they may face disciplinary action, including fines or a lapse in licensure. In some cases, a late renewal with a penalty fee may be allowed if the missing CE hours are promptly completed, but continuing to practice without a valid license can result in more severe consequences.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet New Mexico 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.