Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (professional counselor) · New Mexico · regulated by New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (RLD) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | 3,000 hours of postgraduate clinical client contact (up to 1,000 may come from internship/practicum) |
| Direct client contact | 3,000 hours clinical client contact (the whole requirement is client contact) |
| Supervision | 100 hours of face-to-face postgraduate supervision |
| Minimum time | A minimum of two years' postgraduate professional clinical counseling experience |
| Time limit | Supervised contact hours invalid if obtained more than five years before LPCC application (unless license continuously maintained) |
| Weekly cap | Supervised clinical client contact hours shall not exceed 40 hours per week |
| Exams | NCE and NCMHCE (LMHC entry license: NCE) |
Supervision
- How much: 100 hours of face-to-face postgraduate supervision
- Who may supervise: LPCC, LMFT, LPAT, LADAC, LCSW, LISW, psychologist or psychiatrist holding Board supervisor designation (3 CEU supervision + 6 CEU supervision ethics, or national supervision credential)
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Up to 1,000 client contact hours credited from internship/practicum, awarded automatically from transcript
- Paperwork: Supervisor statement on Board form (attachment B) for LPCC; attachment C supervision arrangement for LMHC application
Can you be supervised remotely in New Mexico?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential.
- Video supervision: Supervisors meet 'in face-to-face or virtual sessions'; electronic and telephonic supervision defined and held to the same requirements as in-person; LPCC needs 100 h 'face to face' postgraduate supervision (virtual hours treated the same)
- Phone only: allowed (telephonic supervision expressly defined and treated like in-person)
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in New Mexico? required: designation application requires 'a copy of a current New Mexico license' (LPCC, LMFT, LPAT, LADAC, LCSW, LISW, psychiatrist or psychologist)
- Supervisor credential: NM Counseling and Therapy Practice Board supervisor designation (3 CEUs supervision + 6 CEUs supervision ethics, or a national supervision credential; $75; renew every 24 months) required before supervising
- Board approval first: LMHC must hold the license before hours count ('Client contact and supervision hours prior to being licensed will not be acceptable'); LMHC application includes a statement from each supervisor verifying supervision has been arranged; supervisor must hold board designation first
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Documentation amendments eff. 11/18/2025 (NM Register XXXVI-22); LMHC practicum 'alternative pathway' (16.27.2.9) eff. 6/9/2026; hour figures unchanged
In the board’s own words
“a total of 3,000 hours of postgraduate clinical client contact and 100 hours of appropriate face to face postgraduate supervision” — 16.27.4.9(E)(2) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of two years' postgraduate professional clinical counseling experience.” — 16.27.4.9(E)(1) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Supervised contact hours will become invalid if obtained more than five years prior to submission for independent LPCC licensure.” — 16.27.9.8(D) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Supervised clinical client contact hours shall not exceed 40 hours per week.” — 16.27.19.8(H) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Supervisors shall meet regularly in face-to-face or virtual sessions with their supervisees.” — 16.27.19.9(G) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“supervision of counseling and psychotherapy services provided by supervisors either electronically or telephonically.” — 16.27.19.7(F) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Virtually supervised contact hours are subject to the supervision requirements required for services supervised in-person.” — 16.27.19.7(F) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“a copy of a current New Mexico license as one of the following credentials” — 16.27.19.10(A)(5) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Supervisors shall obtain and maintain the supervisor designation issued by the board prior to initiating their role as supervisors.” — 16.27.19.9(B) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“private organizations of counselors and therapists such as community mental health counselors, hospitals, schools, and group or individual private practice settings.” — 16.27.19.7(C) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Supervised clinical client contact hours shall not exceed 40 hours per week.” — 16.27.19.8(H) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Client contact and supervision hours prior to being licensed will not be acceptable for licensure.” — 16.27.9.8(C) NMAC✓ matched in the source
1 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in New Mexico
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All New Mexico licenses · every state
Sources
- 16.27.4.9 NMAC (LPCC qualifications)
- 16.27.4.11 NMAC as amended 11/18/2025
- 16.27.9.8-.11 NMAC (LMHC supervision, license, exam)
- 16.27.9 NMAC amendment eff. 6/9/2026 (NM Register XXXVII-11)
- 16.27.19 NMAC (approved supervisors)
- NMSA 1978 ch. 61 (NMOneSource compilation), Arts. 9A and 31
Checked against New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (RLD)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.