New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVII, Issue 11 / June 9, 2026

This is an amendment to 16.27.9 NMAC, amending Section 9, effective 06/09/2026.

16.27.9.9 LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALTY OR ART THERAPY SPECIALTY):

A. 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. All work must be performed under appropriate clinical supervision. Applicants must assure that their education and experience are appropriate for the level of licensure they will seek upon completion of supervised training. There is no maximum time limit as a licensed mental health counselor, but all work at this level must be done under clinical supervision.

B. Qualifications for entry level licensure by examination. An applicant for licensure by examination as an entry-level mental health counselor (LMHC) must possess the following qualifications:

(1) be at least 21 years of age;

(2) applicant must sign a statement provided in the application indicating the applicant has read the code of ethics and agrees to be bound and governed by the code of ethics;

(3) holds a masters or doctoral degree in a counseling or counseling related field with no less than 48 graduate hours or 72 quarter hours in the core curriculum and nine practicum hours; Applicants who have fewer than nine practicum hours may apply through the alternative pathway as detailed in 16.27.2.9 NMAC; and

(4) have arranged for appropriate clinical supervision, as required by their licensure track.

[16.27.9.9 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.8, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/30/2021; A, 1/18/2023; A, 06/09/2026]