How to Become a Counselor in New Hampshire
Licensed counselors in New Hampshire are known as Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs).
The state’s premier professional organization for CMHCs is the New Hampshire Mental Health Counselors’ Association, a local chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors’ Association whose mission is to “promote and support the professionalism of and collaboration among clinical mental health counselors.” Licensure for counselors in New Hampshire is managed by the state Board of Mental Health Practice.
Licensure requirements for counselors in New Hampshire, including those related to education, supervision, examination, fees, and renewal, are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and scholarships and loan-repayment programs available to aspiring CMHCs in the state.
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Counselor Education in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s licensure law for clinical mental health counselors (RSA 330-A:19) requires the completion of a 60-credit master’s or doctorate degree from a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited graduate program or a similar program that meets the same academic requirements. If the program was not CACREP-accredited, New Hampshire may still accept it, but the degree must still be in clinical mental health counseling, come from a regionally accredited institution, include at least 60 graduate credits, and represent at least 2 academic years/4 semesters of full-time graduate study.
Within that 60-credit degree, the rules require at least 33 semester hours of specific coursework, with 3 semester hours in each of 10 areas:
- Human growth and development
- Abnormal psychology/psychopathology
- Counseling counseling theories
- Social and cultural foundations
- Group work
- Professional orientation and ethics of mental health counseling
- Career and lifestyle development
- Testing and assessment
- Research and program evaluation
- Addictive behaviors
Internship Requirements
CACREP-aligned programs typically include a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. Applicants whose degree programs were not CACREP-accredited or deemed equivalent may receive additional board review of their fieldwork and educational requirements.
This practicum/internship is a distinct requirement from post-graduate supervision, which is also necessary for CMHC licensure in New Hampshire.
Supervision Hours
“Supervision” is shorthand for post-graduate, directed clinical experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. New Hampshire requires aspiring CMHCs to complete 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical experience in a minimum of two years, including 100 hours of individual supervision. Practicum and internship hours do not count, and private practice experience counts only if the applicant is working as a W-2 employee, not a 1099 contractor.
Examination
CMHC licensure in New Hampshire requires a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Under current Board rules, applicants must also complete the Board’s jurisprudence examination covering New Hampshire law and Board rules. The NCMHCE is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors and uses clinical simulations and case studies to evaluate knowledge.
CMHC Licensure Fees
CMHCs in New Hampshire can expect to pay the following fees for their license, renewal, and examination:
- CMHC Application: $325
- CMHC License Renewal (active): $325
- CMHC License Renewal (inactive): $105
CMHC License Renewal
CMHC licenses in New Hampshire can be renewed online. License renewal requires payment of the appropriate fees and the completion of continuing education.
Continuing Education
New Hampshire clinical mental health counselors must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their licenses. At least 30 of the 40 hours must be Category A, at least 6 hours must be in ethics from Category A, and at least 3 hours must be in suicide prevention from Category A, as required by state law. No more than 10 hours may come from Category B activities.
Category A activities include approved seminars, workshops, live interactive webinars, graduate-level coursework, and certain scholarly publications. New Hampshire’s updated rule materials also indicate that home study is limited to 30 CE hours for clinical mental health counselors. Board-approved supervisors must complete at least 6 CE hours in clinical supervision from Category A during each renewal cycle.
Additional Information
For Counselors Licensed in Other States
The New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice offers reciprocity for counselors licensed in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
New Hampshire does not currently offer reciprocity for counselors licensed in Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, or Wisconsin. Counselors should also review the status of New Hampshire’s participation in the Counseling Compact, as that process may continue to change.
Counselor Salary in New Hampshire
The following types of counselors in New Hampshire can expect to earn the respective average hourly and median annual wages, according to the May 2024 U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Maps: New Hampshire.
| Type of Counselor | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $68,410 |
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors | $58,520 |
Marriage and Family Therapists | $57,220 |
Rehabilitation Counselors | $44,830 |
Counselors, All Other | $45,000 |
New Hampshire Counseling Scholarships
The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to aspiring CMHCs in New Hampshire:
New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
- Type: Loan Repayment Program
- Amount: Varies by contract and eligibility
- Description: The New Hampshire State Loan Repayment Program provides loan repayment assistance to health care professionals working in medically underserved areas of the state who agree to a minimum service commitment. It is one of the most relevant New Hampshire-specific financial support programs for counseling graduates and other behavioral health professionals planning to practice in shortage areas after licensure.
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
- Type: Loan Repayment Program
- Amount: Up to $50,000 for an initial 2-year full-time service commitment for eligible behavioral health providers at an NHSC-approved site
- Description: The NHSC Loan Repayment Program is a strong option for New Hampshire counselors and other behavioral health professionals who plan to work in a mental health shortage area. The program supports licensed behavioral health providers who serve at approved sites, making it especially relevant for counselors pursuing community mental health or other underserved settings after licensure.
NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarship
- Type: Scholarship
- Amount: Varies by award cycle
- Description: The NBCC Foundation Rural Scholarship supports counseling students who plan to serve rural communities. It is a strong fit for New Hampshire graduate students preparing for careers in clinical mental health counseling or related counseling fields, especially those who plan to work in underserved or rural parts of the state.
NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship
- Type: Scholarship
- Amount: Varies by award cycle
- Description: The NBCC Foundation Military Scholarship is intended for counseling students with a commitment to serving military-connected populations. For New Hampshire students interested in trauma-informed care, family counseling, or work with service members, veterans, and their families, this can be a relevant national scholarship opportunity.
NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counseling
- Type: Fellowship
- Amount: Varies by award cycle
- Description: The NBCC Foundation’s Minority Fellowship Program supports master’s-level counseling students who are committed to serving underserved or historically marginalized communities. It is especially relevant for graduate students interested in community mental health, equity-focused counseling practice, and work with high-need populations.
Last updated March 2026: Licensure information and other details may have changed since this article was published. Candidates should always confirm requirements directly with the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Board of Mental Health Practice, before applying. For current details on the scope of practice, education, supervised experience, continuing education, renewal, and endorsement, review the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice Laws and Rules page and New Hampshire Mental Health Practice statute and administrative rules (RSA 330-A and Mhp 100–500).
Information Last Updated: March 2026