New York's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), regulated by the NYSED Office of the Professions. New York requires 36 continuing education hours every three-year registration period, of which no more than 12 may be self-study. Mandated topics include 3 hours of professional boundaries each cycle and a one-time child abuse identification and reporting coursework. Below is the full breakdown of what you need and when it is due.
36 hours / 3 years
Thirty-six CE hours each triennial registration period.
3 hours boundaries
Three hours on appropriate professional boundaries each cycle.
Child abuse (one-time)
A one-time 2-hour child abuse identification and reporting course.
Self-study cap
No more than 12 of the 36 hours may be self-study.
How many CE hours New York LMHCs need
New York requires 36 CE hours every three years, with no more than 12 from self-study.
Mandated subject requirements
- Professional boundaries: 3 hours each three-year period.
- Child abuse identification and reporting: a one-time 2-hour coursework requirement.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
New York LMHC registration is triennial, tied to your birth month. First registration period is exempt.
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View pricingNew York Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) CME at a glance
- Appropriate Professional Boundaries3 hrs
At least 3 hours on appropriate professional boundaries every three years (for registration periods starting on or after April 1, 2023).
- Child Abuse Identification & Reporting2 hrs · one time
A one-time minimum 2-hour coursework requirement in child abuse identification and reporting.
Always confirm with your licensing board
New York's professional-counselor license is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), regulated by the NYSED Office of the Professions. Registration is triennial, tied to your birth month. No more than 12 of the 36 hours may be self-study.
CE requirements change. Confirm current rules with the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions before relying on these figures.
Source: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Counseling Compact: active. Operational; participating states issue the counseling privilege to practice across member states.
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
New York LMHC CE Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE hours do New York LMHCs need?
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36 CE hours every three years.
Is professional boundaries training required in New York?
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Yes — 3 hours every three-year registration period.
Is the first registration period exempt in New York?
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Yes — newly licensed counselors are exempt from CE for their first registration period only.
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