Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (marriage and family therapist) · New Mexico · regulated by New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board (RLD) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (LAMFT) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | Two years' postgraduate MFT experience with at least 1,000 hours of postgraduate marriage and family clinical client contact |
| Direct client contact | At least 1,000 hours postgraduate MFT clinical client contact |
| Supervision | 200 hours postgraduate MFT supervision, including at least 100 hours individual |
| Minimum time | A minimum of two years' postgraduate marriage and family therapy experience |
| Time limit | Supervised contact hours invalid if obtained more than five years before LMFT application (unless license continuously maintained) |
| Weekly cap | Supervised clinical client contact hours shall not exceed 40 hours per week |
| Exams | AMFTRB national MFT examination (for LAMFT; LMFT rule names the 'PES' MFT exam) |
Supervision
- How much: 200 hours postgraduate MFT supervision, including at least 100 hours individual
- How often: LAMFT experience plan: one hour face-to-face supervision for every five hours of client contact
- Group supervision: At least 100 of the 200 supervision hours must be individual; no other group rule stated
- Who may supervise: Board supervisor designation (LPCC, LMFT, LPAT, LCSW, LISW, psychologist, psychiatrist); must have MFT education, clinical and supervisory experience
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: Not counted: hours before LAMFT licensure not accepted
- Paperwork: Supervisor statement on Board form (attachment B) for LMFT; attachment C + postgraduate experience plan for LAMFT
Can you be supervised remotely in New Mexico?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: state-only supervisor credential.
- Video supervision: LAMFT: 1 h face-to-face supervision per 5 h client contact; LMFT needs 200 h MFT supervision (≥100 individual); 16.27.19 lets face-to-face be virtual/telephonic with the same requirements
- 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 supervisor designation (as counselors), and the MFT supervisor must have 'education, clinical experience and supervisory experience' in MFT; no AAMFT requirement found
- Board approval first: LAMFT license required before hours count; application includes a supervisor statement confirming arranged supervision and a postgraduate experience plan
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
16.27.22.8 amended 11/18/2025 (5-year validity now references LMFT); 16.27.6.8 amended 6/9/2026 (practicum alternative pathway)
In the board’s own words
“a total of at least 1,000 hours of postgraduate marriage and family clinical client contact” — 16.27.6.9(D)(2) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“200 hours of appropriate postgraduate marriage and family supervision, including at least 100 hours of individual supervision” — 16.27.6.9(D)(3) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“one hour of face-to-face supervision for every five hours of client contact” — 16.27.22.9(B)(4) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“Supervised contact hours will become invalid if obtained more than five years prior to submission for independent (LMFT) licensure.” — 16.27.22.8(D) NMAC (11/18/2025)✓ checked by hand
“Supervisors shall meet regularly in face-to-face or virtual sessions with their supervisees.” — 16.27.19.9(G) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“including a postgraduate experience plan, which includes one hour of face-to-face supervision for every five hours of client contact” — 16.27.22.9(B)(4) 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
“who holds a supervision designation issued by the counseling and therapy practice board.” — 16.27.22.8(A) NMAC✓ matched in the source
“must be received from an individual who has education, clinical experience and supervisory experience in the field of marriage and family therapy.” — 16.27.6.9 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
2 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in New Mexico
- LPCC (professional counselor)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All New Mexico licenses · every state
Sources
- 16.27.6.9-.11 NMAC (LMFT qualifications, exam, documentation)
- 16.27.22 NMAC (LAMFT)
- 16.27.22 NMAC amendment eff. 11/18/2025
- 16.27.6 NMAC amendment eff. 6/9/2026
- 16.27.14.8 NMAC (temporary licenses)
- 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.