New Mexico
Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 22 / November 18, 2025
This is an amendment to
16.27.9 NMAC, Sections 9, 10 and 11, effective 11/18/2025.
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; 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, 11/18/2025]
16.27.9.10 DOCUMENTATION
REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE BY EXAMINATION:
A. A completed application as specified
in 16.27.3.8 NMAC.
B. The applicant is required to upload or submit an official transcript [in a sealed envelope] from each institution contributing to the applicant's
master or doctoral degree. The
transcript must be submitted with the application. Applicants educated in foreign institutions
who are unable to submit certified official transcripts shall submit a
statement explaining why such transcripts are not available and shall submit
certified copies of the degree certificates granted, information on the
curricula offered, and any other documentation requested by the board.
C. A statement from each supervisor [in a sealed envelope] on
a form provided by the board (attachment C) verifying the applicant's has
arranged for appropriate supervision supervised experience and setting forth
the nature and extent of such supervision must be submitted with the
application.
D. Applicant with the mental health
specialty must complete attachment E and art therapy specialty must complete
attachment F.
E. Application fee of $75.00.
[16.27.9.10 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC
27.8.9, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 1/18/2023; A, 11/18/2025]
16.27.9.11 EXAMINATION: Applicants
must demonstrate professional competency by passing the national counselors
exam (NCE) [or (NCC) and art
therapy specialty must demonstrate professional competency by passing the art
therapy credentialing board (ATCB) exam.]
[16.27.9.11 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC
27.8.10, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/18/2025]