How to Become a Counselor in New Mexico

Licensed counselors in New Mexico are known as Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselors (the state abbreviates – LPCCs), and counselors still in the supervision portion of the licensure process are known as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). LMHC is intended as a transition between the required degree and the completion of supervised training required for licensure as a professional clinical mental health counselor or a professional art therapist. The state’s premier professional organization for LPCCs and LMHCs is the New Mexico Mental Health Counselors Association, a local member of the American Mental Health Counseling Association whose mission is “to ensure the delivery of exemplary mental health services by promoting the highest levels of professional behavior on the part of practitioners.” Licensure for LPCCs and LMHCs in New Mexico is managed by the state Counseling and Therapy Practice Board, a division of the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department.

Licensure requirements for counselors in New Mexico, including those relating to education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal, and “licensure by reciprocity,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to aspiring LPCCs and LMHCs in the state.

Counselor Education in New Mexico

LPCC licensure in New Mexico requires the completion of a 48-semester-hour master’s or doctoral degree in counseling or 72 quarter graduate hours in the mental health clinical core curriculum or a related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Internship Requirements

Aside from the coursework listed above, LPCC licensure in New Mexico also requires completion of a practicum, also known as an internship. This practicum/internship should be at least nine semester hours of graduate coursework focusing on training in a professional setting under the direction of a faculty member and/or on-site supervisor designated by the college or university.

This is a distinct requirement from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for LPCC licensure in New Mexico.

Supervision Hours

“Supervision” is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. New Mexico requires LMHCs to complete 3,000 hours of supervision over at least 2 years, with a minimum of 100 hours of face-to-face supervision from an approved supervisor. Up to 1,000 hours may be obtained through a degree program, internship, or practicum. Upon completion, LMHCs are eligible to apply for an LPCC license.

Examinations

LPCC licensure in New Mexico requires a passing score on both the National Counselor Examination and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination.

National Counselor Examination (NCE) for Licensure and Certification

The NCE is a 200-item, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills, and abilities in effective counseling services.

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)

The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation, and supervision. It consists of 10 cases in clinical mental health counseling and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing the identification, analysis, and treatment of clinical problems. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

LPCC and LMHC Licensure Fees

LPCCs and LMHCs in New Mexico can expect to pay the following fees for their license and renewal:

• LPCC/LMHC Application: $75
• LPCC License: $220
• LMHC License: $75
• LPCC License Renewal $220
• LMHC License Renewal: $75
• LPCC/LMHC Late Renewal Penalty: $100

LPCC License Renewal

LPCC licenses in New Mexico expire biennially on October 31. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education. Renewal must be submitted by September 30; renewals received after that date incur a $100 late penalty, and licenses not renewed within 30 days of October 31 will automatically expire.

Continuing Education

New Mexico LPCCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period. At least six of those hours must focus on ethics. Acceptable CE courses must be approved by certifying groups such as the National Board for Certified Counselors, other regulatory boards related to mental health or substance abuse, or regional mental health professional associations, with online or home-study courses accounting for no more than 12 CE hours. CE hours may also be obtained through publication of professional writings.

Additional Information

For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board offers an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already obtained licensure in other states. This process is called “licensure by reciprocity”. Applicants from out of state must complete the appropriate application and verification documents and possess a graduate degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited institution.

Average Counselor Salary in New Mexico

The following types of counselors in New Mexico can expect to earn the respective median annual wages, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and as of May 2024.

New Mexico Counseling Scholarships

The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring LPCCs and LMHCs in New Mexico. Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to change; verify directly with each program before applying:

National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

• Type: Loan Repayments
• Amount: Between $25,000 and $100,000
• Description: New Mexico LPCCs are eligible to apply for loan repayment assistance in exchange for working in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) at a site approved by the National Health Service Corps. Funding is tied to HPSA score and is in exchange for two years of full-time service. A half-time service commitment option is also available.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

• Type: Scholarships
• Amount: To Be Decided by School
• Description: The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides funds to schools, which in turn offer scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are studying professional counseling (amongst other health professions).

*Licensure information, including requirements, salaries, renewals, scholarships, and fees, was retrieved as of March 2026. Information may have changed since then; check with the state’s board of licensing for more details.