What the official sources support
Applicability and exclusions are shown with each finding. “Qualified” or “conflicting” findings are not simplified into an operational answer.
Authority, credentials, and scope
Regulator, governing authority, credential names, regulated titles, scope boundaries, exemptions, and prohibited activities.
Credential and title authority
Published research · ConfirmedNYSED states that a New York license is required to practice mental health counseling or use the licensed title unless a statutory exemption applies.
- Applies to
- Use for LMHC, Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit, Diagnostic Privilege research in NY.
- Known exclusions
- A payer, facility, employer, local government, or another professional board may impose additional requirements.
- Effective date
- No separate future date recorded
- Fact checked
- 2026-08-11
Application and practice status
Application, education, examination, background check, fees, temporary authority, endorsement, and supervised versus independent practice.
Experience route
Published research · ConfirmedThe LMHC experience route requires 3,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact.
- Applies to
- Use for LMHC, Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit, Diagnostic Privilege research in NY.
- Known exclusions
- A payer, facility, employer, local government, or another professional board may impose additional requirements.
- Effective date
- No separate future date recorded
- Fact checked
- 2026-08-11
Supervision and workforce evidence
Supervisor qualifications, written agreements, settings, hours, reporting, license verification, and hiring or credentialing evidence.
Diagnostic privilege
Published research · ConfirmedSince June 24, 2024, eligible LMHCs may apply for a separate privilege to diagnose and develop assessment-based treatment plans.
- Applies to
- Use for LMHC, Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit, Diagnostic Privilege research in NY.
- Known exclusions
- A payer, facility, employer, local government, or another professional board may impose additional requirements.
- Effective date
- 2024-06-24
- Fact checked
- 2026-08-11
Cross-border and practice structure
Telehealth location rules, registration, compact privileges, ownership, entity naming, fee sharing, and multidisciplinary practice.
Cross-border practice
Open implementation issue · QualifiedNYSED treats service to a client located in New York as New York practice; the reviewed compact proposal is not current practice authority.
- Applies to
- Use for LMHC, Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit, Diagnostic Privilege research in NY.
- Known exclusions
- A payer, facility, employer, local government, or another professional board may impose additional requirements.
- Effective date
- No separate future date recorded
- Fact checked
- 2026-08-11
Client-facing operations and records
Disclosure, consent, telehealth, emergencies, advertising, confidentiality, access, retention, minors, subpoenas, closure, fees, billing, and termination.
Credential and title authority
Published research · ConfirmedNYSED states that a New York license is required to practice mental health counseling or use the licensed title unless a statutory exemption applies.
- Applies to
- Use for LMHC, Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit, Diagnostic Privilege research in NY.
- Known exclusions
- A payer, facility, employer, local government, or another professional board may impose additional requirements.
- Effective date
- No separate future date recorded
- Fact checked
- 2026-08-11
Maintenance, complaints, and monitoring
Renewal, continuing education, audits, inactive status, reinstatement, complaints, discipline, effective dates, exclusions, and unresolved interpretations.
Experience route
Published research · ConfirmedThe LMHC experience route requires 3,000 hours of supervised post-degree experience, including at least 1,500 hours of direct client contact.
- Applies to
- Use for LMHC, Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit, Diagnostic Privilege research in NY.
- Known exclusions
- A payer, facility, employer, local government, or another professional board may impose additional requirements.
- Effective date
- No separate future date recorded
- Fact checked
- 2026-08-11