Counseling Degrees & Licenses in New Mexico
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“Our program ensures a comprehensive assessment of students’ development and readiness for professional practice through [several] evaluations.”
Jeongwoon Jeong PhD, Assistant Professor of Counselor Education, University of New Mexico
Pursuing a counseling career in New Mexico can prove worthwhile given the current pressing needs and challenges within the state’s mental healthcare system. Challenges including a workforce shortage; a level of diversity amongst mental health professionals not adequately representative of the population’s mixture of cultural, economic, and social backgrounds and associated needs; and a high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) among its youth population all strain the state’s mental health system.
According to Mental Health America, New Mexico ranks reasonably well regarding mental healthcare access. It recently ranked 22 out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. in terms of its access to mental health services.
Despite this fair access rate, most of the state’s population lives in a designated mental health professional shortage area. This is because most mental health providers are based in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, with greater access needs to mental health professionals in the state’s rural counties. Other metrics also underscore the severity of circumstances common in New Mexico.
According to Mental Health America, a majority of New Mexico residents who have a mental illness do not receive services. In addition, rates of opioid overdose deaths, drug overdose deaths, and deaths due to suicide are all considerably higher than the national average.
The impact of trauma on youth development in the state is also noteworthy. New Mexico has one of the highest rates of ACEs in the United States. Inadequate intervention for youth in need impacts their capacity to meet developmental milestones, such as completion of their primary education, and can also affect these individuals once they are adults.
Given the challenges the state’s mental health system faces and the exacerbating influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, newly graduated mental health professionals can expect to find significant employment opportunities should they elect to practice in-state. Read on to discover how to join various counseling careers in New Mexico, including detailed information about academic programs and licensing.
Ask an Expert: Jeongwoon Jeong, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Dr. Jeongwoon Jeong joined the University of New Mexico in 2022. He is an assistant professor of counselor education in the Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education. His research interests include diverse mental health and addiction issues among underserved populations, multicultural counselor education, and counseling self-efficacy of counselors and counselors-in-training.
Dr. Jeong has served the Korean Counseling Association-International Chapter as a board member and put an effort into the internationalization of counseling.
CounselingSchools.com: How are students evaluated and assessed throughout the program?
Dr. Jeong: Our students are evaluated and assessed using a combination of measures at multiple points throughout their education in our program. First, students are assessed annually on their professional dispositions by the entire faculty. Additionally, their counseling skills, abilities, competencies, and dispositions are evaluated by instructors during clinical courses at different time points.
Beyond these regular evaluations, the faculty engages in discussions about any student-related matters during program evaluations, collaboratively devising support plans if needed. Our program ensures a comprehensive assessment of students’ development and readiness for professional practice through those evaluations.
CounselingSchools.com: What support systems are in place for students during their clinical training?
Dr. Jeong: During their clinical course sequence, students initially complete a scaffolded communication skills course. This class takes place in the Manzanita Counseling Center lab rooms, where students engage in “real play” and “role play” with their peers. These practice sessions are audio and video recorded, allowing students and their instructor to review their demonstrations of skill and provide specific feedback to support growth.
The communication skills course trains students using didactic instruction, review of communication skill demonstrations, and guided and observed real and role play. Students complete the Counselor Competencies Scale—Revised (CCS-R) at three points during the communication skills course and meet individually with their instructor to review additional tasks and supports to facilitate development.
Students then progress to practicum, where they engage with clients for the first time in the supportive environment of the Manzanita Counseling Center. During this course, students receive one-on-one supervision weekly with their assigned supervisor, and weekly group supervision with peers. While in session, students are observed by licensed supervisors and peers and have consistent access to consultation. Furthermore, all trainings and activities in Manzanita are tailored to students’ evolving developmental needs.
Students complete the clinical course sequence by completing internship and group internship. While arranging internship site placement, the fieldwork coordinator and class instructor provide the approved site list with specialty areas listed, and internship agreement (articulates expectations of site, site supervisor, and student).
During internship, students are assessed at multiple points to ensure timely identification of occasions when additional supports are needed. Students identified as in need of additional support will receive communication from the program coordinator to set up a time to meet and develop a support plan. Students also participate in a site visit during each semester of internship, allowing them to share their experience and collaborate with their site supervisor and fieldwork coordinator to identify any additional supports needed to scaffold their learning.
How Much Do Counselors Earn in New Mexico?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of early April 2025.
Clinical and Counseling Psychologist Salaries
| United States | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 71,730 | 280 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $106,600 | $92,530 |
| 10th percentile | $48,820 | $49,610 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,100 | $81,640 |
| 90th percentile | $168,870 | $156,990 |
Marriage and Family Therapist Salaries
| United States | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | 210 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $61,920 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $47,180 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $59,170 |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | $79,570 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salaries
| United States | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 2,110 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $66,190 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $39,950 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $62,120 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $98,270 |
Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries
| United States | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 260 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $48,040 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $30,640 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $45,780 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $66,100 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselor and Advisor Salaries
| United States | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | $1,870 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $67,300 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $38,730 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $66,960 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $105,890 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in N. Mexico
- New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (NM RLD)
- New Mexico Counseling Association (NCMA)
- New Mexico Mental Health Counselors Association (NMMHCA)
- New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board
- NAMI New Mexico
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in New Mexico: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board |
Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) are the licenses issued in New Mexico. To earn a LMHC license candidates must:
In order to be an LPCC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
New Mexico requires counselors to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $75 for LMHCs and $150 for LPCs. Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education, 12 of which must be in ethics. |
School Counseling Licenses in New Mexico
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Public Education Department |
The New Mexico Public Education Department issues school counseling licenses. Candidates for this license must meet one of the following requirements:
All applicants must:
|
School counselor licenses in New Mexico expire every three to nine years, depending on the level of the license. Renewals must be completed online and include a $120 renewal fee. Counselors are not required to complete any continuing education but are required to submit a Superintendent ‘s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in New Mexico
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
The Counseling and Therapy Practice Board in New Mexico licenses Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (LADAC) and three tiers of Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA). To earn an LSAA license, candidates must:
LADAC license candidates must:
| Renewals for LSAA and LADAC counselors in New Mexico happen every two years. The LSAA costs $75 and the LADAC costs $150. Counselors must complete 40 hours of continuing education in order to be eligible to renew. These hours must include 12 hours in ethics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in New Mexico
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitation counselors in New Mexico must be either Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LPCC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). To earn a LMHC license candidates must:
In order to be a LPCC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
|
New Mexico requires counselors to renew their licenses every two years. There are renewal fees. Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education, 12 of which must be in ethics. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in New Mexico
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) for national certification |
Currently, there are no state certification or licensing requirements for applied behavior analysts in New Mexico. However, holding a BCBA certification and maintaining membership with the New Mexico Association for Behavior Analysis can help with employment opportunities or job advancement. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in New Mexico
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board |
The New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board credentials Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (LAMFT) To earn an LAMFT license, candidates must:
In order to be an LMFT, candidates must meet the associate license requirements as well as:
|
New Mexico requires marriage and family therapists to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $220. Therapists must complete 40 hours of continuing education units per renewal cycle, six of which must be in ethics. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in New Mexico
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board | Child therapists in New Mexico must be either Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC). To earn a LMHC license candidates must:
To be an LPCC, candidates must meet the above requirements as well as:
| New Mexico requires counselors to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal fee is $75 for LMHCs and $150 for LPCs. Both licenses require 40 hours of continuing education, 12 of which must be in ethics. |
Bernd Geels
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