New York Counselor License Exam
To get licensed in New York, Professional Counselors are required to take an exam covering such subjects as assessment and diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy and supervision and consultation. Whether you live in Albany, New York City, Buffalo, or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your Professional Counselor’s license.
Need of a License: A license is needed to work as a counselor in the State of New York. Licenses are granted by the NYS Board of Education, Office of the Professions.
To qualify to become a licensed professional counselor in New York State, the following must be met:
- Obtain a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school meeting credit limits.
- Meet supervised clinical experience requirements, 50% of which must involve direct contact with clients in the practice of mental health counseling, which includes:
- The evaluation, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral, emotional, character, developmental, relationship, through verbal or behavioral methods. With individuals, couples, families, or groups
- Using assessment instruments, counseling and psychotherapy to evaluate, diagnose and treat disorders.
- An applicant must earn a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
How to Apply for Licensure
An application for licensure must be submitted on forms provided by the NYS Board of Education that may be obtained online, or by contacting the Board by mail at:
New York State Education Department
Office of the Professions
PO Box 22063
Albany, NY 12201
Test content of the NCMHCE
The test format comprises of 12 to 14 case studies. Each case study is followed by 10 multiple-choice questions, divided into counseling phases: the intake and assessment phase, the first follow-up counseling session, and the second follow-up counseling session. Candidates will have one hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam.
Six different counseling domains will be addressed throughout these case simulations, to include:
- Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling Skills and Interventions
- Professional Practice and Ethics
- Core Counseling Attributes
- Areas of Clinical Focus, which is the given information provided in each case study
For more information, see the NCMHCE Candidate Handbook.
How to Apply to Take the Exam
Apply online to take the NCMHCE.
License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
According to regulations, a license must be renewed every three years and continuing education requirements begin in 2017.
