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New Hampshire licenses Mental Health Counselors/Therapists as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). Applicants generally complete a qualifying graduate degree, accrue post-degree supervised clinical experience, and pass a national examination. Verify current education, supervised-experience, examination, renewal, and continuing education requirements directly with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
A 60-semester-hour master's or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling from a CACREP-accredited program (or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution), with at least 33 semester hours covering 3 hours in each of 11 specified content areas plus a supervised practicum/internship (RSA 330-A:19; Mhp 305). Verify current requirements with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) administered by NBCC, which may be taken after the qualifying degree is granted; no separate state jurisprudence exam was identified. Verify current requirements with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
At least two years of post-master's supervised clinical experience totaling a minimum of 3,000 hours (a 'year' being not fewer than 1,500 hours over 12–24 consecutive months), including at least one hour per week of individual face-to-face supervision for a total of 100 hours under a board-approved supervisor. Verify current requirements with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
New Hampshire participates in the Counseling Compact. It is codified as RSA 330-D (Counseling Compact); as of early 2026 the implementing rules were in the public-comment/adoption phase, so the privilege to practice may not yet be fully operational. License portability is also available by endorsement. Verify current requirements with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
Telehealth practice is governed by state law and board rules. Verify current telehealth requirements with the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice.
Other licensed behavioral-health professions in New Hampshire. Each links to its own full state guide — always verify current requirements with the relevant official board.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and should not be treated as legal, licensing, or employment advice. Counselor licensing laws, board rules, education and supervised-experience requirements, examinations, and renewal requirements vary by state and may change. Always verify current requirements directly with the official state counseling licensing board or applicable regulatory agency.