New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 22 / November 30, 2021

 

 

This is an amendment to 16.27.9 NMAC, Part name and Sections 3, 8, 9, and adding new Section 12, effective 11/30/2021.

 

PART 9                REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AS A MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (LMHC)

[(Practice under Supervision)]

 

16.27.9.3               STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  These parts are promulgated pursuant to the Counselor and Therapist Practice Act, [Section 61-9A-3, 5, and 14] Sections 61-9A-1, 61-9A-3, 61-9A-5, 61-9A-9, 61-9A-14, 61-9A-15, 61-9A-22, 61-9A-23, and 61-9A-24, NMSA 1978.

[16.27.9.3 NMAC - Rp 16 NMAC 27.8.3, 6/15/2001; A, 11/30/2021]

 

16.27.9.8               SUPERVISION:

                A.            Supervision must be provided by a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed professional art therapist (LPAT), licensed psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or licensed independent social worker (LISW) who holds a supervision designation issued by the counseling and therapy practice board.  The licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or the licensed professional mental health counselor (LPC) must practice under supervision [at all times].  Once the licensed mental health counselor or the licensed professional mental health counselor [acquired] acquires the official LPCC [LMFT] or LPAT license then the licensee may practice independently without supervision.

                B.            It is the responsibility of the individual seeking supervision to assure the supervision is acceptable for the level of licensure that will be requested at the completion of the required supervision.  The relationship between the supervisor and the applicant must promote the development of skill and responsibility in the delivery of counseling or therapy services.

                C.            Client contact and supervision hours prior to being licensed will not be acceptable for licensure.

                D.            Supervised contact hours will become invalid if obtained more than five years prior to submission for independent LPCC licensure. This requirement does not apply to license holders who have continuously maintained a license in good standing.

 [16.27.9.8 NMAC - N, 6/15/2001; A, 7/1/2004; A, 2/10/2006; A, 11/19/2007; A, 11/30/2021]

 

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 mental health counselor,] 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.  An applicant for licensure as an entry-level mental health counselor (LMHC) must possess the following qualifications:

                                (1)           be at least 21 years of age; [and]

                                (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, [including a postgraduate experience plan, which includes one hour of face-to-face supervision for every ten hours of client contact] 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]

 

16.27.9.12             LICENSURE BY CREDENTIALS:

                A.            Submit a completed application per of 16.27.3.8 NMAC.

                B.            Verification (attachment A) that the applicant holds and has held a current license for five years issued by the appropriate examining board under the law of any other state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or any foreign nation.

                C.            Verification that the applicant is in good standing with no disciplinary action pending or brought against the applicant within the past five years.

                D.            Holds masters or doctoral degree in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited institution.

                E.            Application fee of $75.00 as provided for in 16.27.17 NMAC.

                F.            Applicants who do not meet the licensure by reciprocity must meet the current licensure requirements.

[16.27.9.12 NMAC - N, 11/30/2021]