New Mexico Counselor License Exam

To get licensed in New Mexico, Professional Counselors are required to take an exam covering such subjects as assessment and diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy and professional ethics. Whether you live in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, 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 New Mexico.  There are two levels of licensure: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), and Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC). Both licenses are granted by the Board and Commission of Counseling and Therapy Practice. The LMHC must practice under supervision at all times, as is intended as a transitional, rather than terminal credential, to eventually earn the LPCC credential.

To qualify to become a licensed professional counselor in New Mexico, the following must be met:

• Obtain a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school meeting credit limits.
• LPCCs must meet supervised clinical experience requirements of 3,000 hours of postgraduate professional counseling, including at least 100 hours of supervision.
• An applicant must earn a passing score on the NCE (National Counselor Exam) to become an LMHC, and the NCE and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) to become an LPCC.

How to Apply for Licensure

An application for licensure for LMHC and application for licensure for LPCC other documentation can be obtained online. All documents must be sent to:

Counseling and Therapy Practice Board
2550 Cerrillos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505

1-505-476-4610
1-505-476-4633 (fax)
counselingboard@state.nm.us
www.rld.state.nm.us/counseling

Test Content of the NCE

The NCE measures the applicants’ knowledge of the following eight content areas:

1. The psychology of human growth and development
2. Socio-cultural diversity
3. Establishing helping relationships
4. Group dynamics and group therapy
5. Career goals and development
6. Assessment  of psychopathology and treatment needs
7. Research methods and program evaluation
8. Professional orientation and ethical practice.

The applicant’s knowledge of the following five work areas are also measured by the NCE:

1. Fundamental issues in counseling
2. The process of counseling
3. Diagnostic and assessment services
4. Professional practice issues
5. Ongoing professional development and the need for clinical supervision and consultation.

The exam consists of 200 questions, 40 of which are not scored, but are included for purpose of research.  The actual score is based on 160 questions.  The number of questions the applicant must get correct to pass varies between test versions. Four hours are given to complete the exam.
 
For more information, see the NCE Candidate Handbook.

How to Apply to Take the Exam

A PDF of the NCE application is available online, along with test dates.

Test content of the NCMHCE

The NCMHCE consists of ten hypothetical clinical mental health counseling cases.  The cases are clinical simulations that use a multiple select/correct format where there are multiple options as possible correct answers.  The questions are centered on the ten cases and explore the nuances of the particular case.  The NCMHCE assesses an applicant’s ability to engage in clinical problem solving, including the identification, analysis, diagnosis and treatment of clinical issues.

Each of the ten cases is divided into five to eight sections and classified either as information gathering or decision making activities. The sections on Information gathering evaluate a candidate’s ability to gather clinical data that is needed in the decision making process.  The sections on decision making evaluate a candidate’s ability to solve clinical problems using data.

The ten cases cover three content areas:

Assessment and Diagnosis

• Integration of client assessment and observational date
• Identification of precipitating problems/symptoms
• Identification of level of individual or relationship functioning
• Identification of pertinent familial issues

Counseling and Psychotherapy

• Imparting information to the client about ethical standards and practice
• Clarification of roles of the counselor and client
• Apply individual counseling in accordance with the treatment plan
• Evaluation of referral information

Administration, Consultation and Supervision

• Maintenance of client records
• Determine if counseling services being delivered are meeting client needs
• Communicate orally with others to maintain professional communication
• Assistance clients to connect with needed social services

Each of the ten cases in the NCMHCE is scored a +/- 3 which is based upon appropriate client/patient care. A passing score is above the minimum required for both the information gathering and decision making sections.

 How to Apply to Take the Exam

You can find the registration information for the NCMHCE online, or write:
The National Board of Certified Counselors
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, North Carolina 27403-3660

(336) 547-0607
 
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
 
License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

To renew a LCMC or LPCC license, regulations require 40 clock hours of continuing education every two year licensure renewal period, in acceptable courses and programs offered by approved Continuing Education providers. Six hours of continuing education must be completed in professional ethics.  12 hours may be home study, e.g., reading and testing, and 12 hours may be on-line study, e.g., webinars.

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For more information on licensing and exam prep, go to Tests.com's NCE Guide.

And take Tests.com's free NCE Practice Test.

For counseling exam preparation products and services, such as study guides, practice tests, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com's NCE listings.