FAQs
Counseling and Therapy Practice: FAQs
Q. How long does the application review process take?
Application review process time is 10 to 15 working days.
Q. Is an applicant who holds a master’s degree in counseling required to complete related-field degree education-attachment E, providing syllabus and actual catalog descriptions?
An applicant with a degree in counseling is not required to complete Related-Field Degree Education – Attachment E.
Q. What does the board consider a related field degree?
Related fields include guidance counseling, mental health-community counseling or agency counseling; psychology, clinical psychology, or counseling psychology; human services; family services; human and family studies; art therapy; [and] or art education with an emphasis in art therapy.
Q. Are there requirements for how CEUs are obtained?
The board no longer requires how CEUs are obtained.
Q. What is the number of years client professional records are maintained?
Records are maintained for a period of not less than six years after the last date the professional services were rendered.
Q. If a licensee or registered individual does not cooperate in an investigation by the board, is this considered a violation of the code of ethics?
Yes, a licensee or registered individual shall cooperate in ethics investigations, proceedings, and resulting requirements of the code. Release of confidential information in an investigation by the board does not constitute a violation of confidentiality.
Q. WHAT ARE MY RENEWAL OPTIONS?
Late Renewal Penalty: $100 plus renewal fee for incomplete renewals or renewals submitted after September 30.
If your license is not renewed within 30 days of the expiration date, October 31, it will automatically expire and you must refrain from practicing. You will need to reapply to obtain a new license.
Retirement Status: To place your license on retirement status, you must select “Request Status Change” under Action next to your license in the online portal. Request for retirement must be made on or before your license expiration date. Retirement status is not to be used for the purpose of not completing your renewal requirements. After five years of retirement status, the licensee has the option to place a license on inactive status or reinstate a license. Failure to request inactive status or retirement status will cause the license to expire.
As stated in Part 3, section 11, a retired license may be restored within five years of being placed on retirement status by notifying the board in writing, providing the board with proof of having completed 40 hours of continuing education during the retirement period, and paying $100 reinstatement fee plus the licensure fee. Contact Counseling.board@rld.nm.gov to reactivate.
Inactive Status: To place your license on inactive status, you must select “Request Status Change” under Action next to your license in the online portal. Request for inactive must be made on or before your license expiration date. inactive status is not to be used for the purpose of not completing your renewal requirements. there is a $100.00 fee for inactive status, but no CEU requirement. The inactive status must be renewed every two years. A license can remain inactive indefinitley. Failure to request inactive status or retirement status will cause the license to expire.
Supervisors
You do not need to do anything to renew your supervisor status. Just make sure you include 9 hours of CEU’s in supervision when you renew your counseling license.
Q. How do I renew my supervisor designation?
A. You do not need to renew your supervisor designation. If you are licensed by our board, your status will be automatically renewed when you renew your license and provide 9 hours of supervision CEU’s as part of your total CEU requirement. If you are licensed with another board like Social Work, Psychology or Nursing, make sure you keep a record of getting 9 supervision CEU’s every two years. Your status may be audited to ensure compliance.