Section 330-A:19 - Clinical Mental Health Counselors The board shall issue a clinical mental health counselor license to any person who meets all of the following requirements or their equivalent:
I. Has a 60 credit master's or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited institution or its equivalent which has received regional accreditation from the Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.II. Has passed the clinical mental health counselor's proctored examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc.III. Has completed a minimum of 2 years of post-masters experience including completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-masters, supervised clinical experience by a board approved licensed independent clinical social worker or licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor, or any other supervisor based on reasonable and specific criteria established in rules adopted under RSA 330-A:10. A current master licensed alcohol and drug counselor (MLADC) license issued by the board of licensing for alcohol and other drug use professionals under RSA 330-C may be substituted for up to 1,500 hours of the required 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Where substitution of the full 1,500 hours is denied by the board, the MLADC applicant shall be provided the rationale for the board's denial. The board shall not deny the substitution of hours solely based on the MLADC applicant's clinical supervisor holding an MLADC license.IV. To receive a conditional license for a clinical mental health counselor, an applicant shall comply with the following requirements: (a) Hold a master's or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling from a CACREP accredited institution or its equivalent which has received regional accreditation from the Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.(b) Obtain a board approved supervisory agreement with documented intent to pursue licensure as a clinical mental health counselor under this chapter.(c) Meet other criteria as reasonably established by the board.(d) Upon approval of the supervision agreement, the board shall issue a conditional license.(e) Conditional licensees are subject to the jurisdiction of the board.V. Conditional licenses issued under this section shall be valid for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of issuance. Applicants in good standing with the board may apply for a one-time renewal of a conditional license.Amended by 2023, 224:5, eff. 10/3/2023.Amended by 2019 , 74: 2, eff. 8/17/2019.Amended by 2018 , 364: 7, eff. 9/30/2018.1998, 234:1. 2010, 244 : 14 , eff. July 1, 2010. 2018, 364 : 7 , eff. Sept. 30, 2018. 2019, 74 : 2 , eff. Aug. 17, 2019.