Licensed Mental Health Counselor (professional counselor) · New York · regulated by NYSED Office of the Professions / State Board for Mental Health Practitioners · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | Limited permit (Mental Health Counselor limited permit) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | at least 3,000 clock hours providing mental health counseling |
| Direct client contact | not less than 1,500 clock hours of direct contact with clients |
| Time limit | limited permit ≤24 months + up to two 12-month extensions (48 months total) |
| Exams | NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, NBCC) |
Supervision
- How often: average of one hour per week or two hours every other week of face-to-face individual or group supervision
- Group supervision: individual or group supervision both accepted; no group cap stated
- Who may supervise: NY-licensed LMHC, physician, PA, psychologist, LCSW, RN or NP, competent in mental health counseling; ≤5 permit holders per supervisor
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted; experience must be obtained after completing the licensure-qualifying program
- Paperwork: Form 4B (Certification of Supervised Experience); Form 5 limited permit application; Form 5CS supervisor certification
Can you be supervised remotely in New York?
Mostly, with some limits. What shapes this: prior board approval.
- Video supervision: Required 'face-to-face' individual or group supervision (avg 1 h/week or 2 h every other week) may use technology acceptable to the Department, incl. secure video (8 NYCRR 79-9.3(c)(3), eff. 2024-09-25). No cap on the video share.
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in New York? required for NY experience (NY-licensed and registered MHC, psychologist, LCSW, physician, PA, RN/NP, or 'equivalent qualifications as determined by the department'); out-of-state experience may be accepted under a qualified supervisor in an authorized setting in that jurisdiction
- Supervisor credential: none beyond the license (no separate supervisor registration); supervisor signs Form 5 attesting qualifications
- Supervisee cap: ≤5 limited-permit holders per supervisor at one time
- Board approval first: Limited permit (Form 5) must be issued before practice; issued for a specific employment setting/site and named supervisor; separate permit per setting.
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
Sept 2024 Regents amendment to 8 NYCRR 79-9.3 replaced 'in-person' with 'face-to-face' supervision that may use secure video (effective 2024-09-25). Some OP web pages (Appendix A, permit FAQ) still say 'in-person'.
Where the rules are unclear
New York’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- OP Appendix A / permit FAQ still describe 'in-person' supervision while 8 NYCRR 79-9.3(c)(3) (eff. 2024-09-25) allows secure video; confirm the web pages are simply stale.
- Does 'technology acceptable to the Department' include audio-only?
In the board’s own words
“at least 3,000 clock hours providing Mental Health Counseling” — NYSED OP Mental Health Counselor Appendix A✓ matched in the source
“Not less than 1,500 clock hours of such required experience...shall consist of direct contact with clients” — NYSED OP Mental Health Counselor Appendix A✓ matched in the source
“an average of one hour per week or two hours every other week of [in-person] face-to-face individual or group supervision” — Board of Regents BR (CA) 16, amending 8 NYCRR 79-9.3(c)(1)✓ matched in the source
“Face-to face supervision may utilize technology acceptable to the Department, including secure video conferencing” — Board of Regents BR (CA) 16, 8 NYCRR 79-9.3(c)(3)✓ matched in the source
“The total time authorized by a limited permit and subsequent extension shall not exceed 48 months total” — NYSED OP FAQ Limited Permits✓ matched in the source
“Face-to face supervision may utilize technology acceptable to the Department, including secure video conferencing to protect confidentiality.” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-9 (§79-9.3, §79-9.4)✓ matched in the source
“The supervisor of the experience shall be licensed and registered in New York State to practice mental health counseling” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-9 (§79-9.3, §79-9.4)✓ matched in the source
“No supervisor shall supervise more than five permit holders at one time.” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-9 (§79-9.3, §79-9.4)✓ matched in the source
“The setting shall not be a private practice owned or operated by the applicant.” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-9 (§79-9.3, §79-9.4)✓ matched in the source
“the limited permit in mental health counseling shall be issued for specific employment setting(s), acceptable to the department” — 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-9 (§79-9.3, §79-9.4)✓ matched in the source
“the law and regulations do not specify on-site, direct supervision of the permit holder, your supervisor must have access to your patients” — NYSED OP FAQ: Mental Health Counselors Limited Permits (Q1, Q4, Q5, Q11)✓ matched in the source
“Arrangements where an individual hires or contracts with a licensee to provide supervision are problematic and, as a general rule, unacceptable.” — NYSED OP FAQ: Mental Health Counselors Limited Permits (Q1, Q4, Q5, Q11)✓ matched in the source
1 more quotes are in the state explorer.
Other licenses in New York
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All New York licenses · every state
Sources
- 8 NYCRR Subpart 79-9, §79-9.3 (experience) and §79-9.4 (limited permit)
- NYSED OP, Mental Health Counselor License Requirements
- NYSED OP, Mental Health Counselor Appendix A: Requirements for Supervised Experience
- NYSED OP, FAQ Mental Health Counselors: Limited Permits
- Board of Regents Sept 2024 item BR (CA) 16, amending 8 NYCRR 74.6, 79-9.3, 79-10.3 (pp. 4-6)
Checked against NYSED Office of the Professions / State Board for Mental Health Practitioners’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.