Resources · Path to Licensure

Step-by-step licensure pathways in New York.

New York licenses its behavioral-health workforce through two state agencies. The State Education Department's Office of the Professions (OP) issues the LMHC, LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) and Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant (CBAA) credentials, while the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) credentials the CASAC addictions ladder. A defining feature of the OP-licensed mental-health professions is the "limited permit" (or, for LBA, a "graduate permit") — you must hold this permit to legally accrue your supervised post-degree experience in New York. New York does NOT administer a separate state jurisprudence/law exam for any of these professions; the only required exams are the national standardized exams listed below, plus a one-time Child Abuse Identification & Reporting training for the OP professions.

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Professional CounselingAddiction & Substance Use CounselingSocial WorkMarriage & Family TherapyPsychologyBehavior Analysis

Professional Counseling

Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →
LMHC Limited Permit

Mental Health Counselor Limited Permit (pre-license)

Required exam: None required to obtain the permit (education must be approved first); NCMHCE still required for full licensure

Scope: A pre-licensure permit that authorizes you to practice mental health counseling only under qualified supervision at an approved site while you complete your 3,000-hour experience and/or pass the exam.
  1. EducationHold a master's or doctoral degree in counseling (at least 60 semester hours) from a NYS-registered licensure-qualifying or CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling program; education must be approved by OP before a permit is issued.
  2. Supervision / experiencePermit holder works under a qualified supervisor (LMHC, psychologist, LCSW, psychiatrist, NP or RN competent in MHC); no supervisor may oversee more than five permit holders; permit is the legal vehicle for accruing your 3,000 supervised hours.
  3. ExamNo exam needed to receive the permit; you sit the NCMHCE during the permit period.
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 (Application for Licensure) + $371 fee and Form 2 (education), then submit Form 5 + $70 permit fee for a specific site/supervisor; also complete NYS Child Abuse Identification & Reporting training. Permit valid 2 years, extendable up to two additional 1-year periods (max 4 years).
LMHC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Required exam: National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), administered by NBCC (the NCE is NOT accepted)

Scope: Independently evaluates, assesses and treats behavioral, emotional and mental disorders using counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, couples, families and groups.
  1. EducationMaster's or doctoral degree in counseling of at least 60 semester hours from a NYS-registered licensure-qualifying program or a CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling program (or Department-determined substantial equivalent), including a supervised internship/practicum of at least 600 clock hours.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 3,000 clock hours of supervised experience after the master's degree, of which at least 1,500 hours must be direct client contact; in NYS this experience must be obtained under a limited permit.
  3. ExamPass the NCMHCE (NBCC). You must have already received the graduate degree to be admitted to the exam.
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $371 fee, have the school submit Form 2, complete Child Abuse Identification & Reporting training, be at least 21 and of good moral character; no separate NY jurisprudence exam is required.

Official Professional Counseling resources

Addiction & Substance Use Counseling

Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →
CASAC-T

CASAC-Trainee

Required exam: No exam required for the Trainee certificate (the IC&RC ADC exam comes later for the full CASAC)

Scope: Entry rung of the OASAS addictions ladder; a trainee certificate that signals to employers you have completed a defined level of CASAC education/training, with a scope of practice limited by OASAS standards.
  1. EducationComplete 350 clock hours of CASAC education/training plus mandatory one-time requirements — OR — document 4,000 hours of appropriate work experience plus 85 clock hours from Section 1 (knowledge of SUDs) and all one-time education requirements.
  2. Supervision / experienceNo completed experience requirement at this rung; the trainee certificate exists so you can work toward the 6,000-hour CASAC requirement under supervision in an approved setting.
  3. ExamNone at the Trainee level.
  4. ApplicationApply through the OASAS Credentialing Portal (my.ny.gov ID) with the $100 processing fee, pass a criminal background check / fingerprinting; the CASAC-T is a one-time issuance valid for the 5-year application period. (A parallel CASAC-Provisional certificate exists for holders of a Human Services bachelor's/master's degree.)
CASAC

Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor

Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam — a 150-question computer-based exam (offered in English and Spanish)

Scope: Provides direct clinical SUD services — assessment, intervention, referral, and individual and group substance-use-disorder counseling.
  1. EducationComplete a minimum of 350 clock hours of CASAC education/training plus mandatory one-time requirements (including addiction-specific ethics); approved Human Services degrees can offset some coursework.
  2. Supervision / experienceDocument a minimum of 6,000 hours (about three years) of supervised SUD work experience in an OASAS-approved setting, including at least 300 hours of supervised practical training in the core competencies; an approved Human Services degree can substitute for part of the work-experience requirement (e.g., 4,000 hours).
  3. ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination ($245 fee; retake allowed every 90 days; three failures require an OASAS CASAC Foundations / Ready-to-Test course).
  4. ApplicationBe at least 18 with a HS diploma/HSE, live or work in NYS at least 51% of the time, have two evaluators complete an Evaluation of Competency & Ethical Conduct, pass the background check, and apply via the OASAS Credentialing Portal.

Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources

Social Work

Prep for the ASWB exam →
LMSW

Licensed Master Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Masters examination (formerly "Intermediate")

Scope: Practices master's-level social work; may provide clinical social work (diagnosis and psychotherapy) only under the supervision of an LCSW, licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.
  1. EducationEarn a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a program registered by the Department as licensure-qualifying or accredited by CSWE (at least 60 semester hours including a field practicum of at least 900 clock hours).
  2. Supervision / experienceNo post-degree experience required for the LMSW itself; a limited permit (under an LMSW or LCSW supervisor) lets you practice while awaiting the exam.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Masters examination; you must have received the MSW before sitting.
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $294 fee, have the school submit Form 2, complete Child Abuse Identification & Reporting training, be at least 21 and of good moral character. Optional limited permit: Form 5 + $70 (valid 1 year, not renewable). No NY jurisprudence exam.
LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Required exam: ASWB Clinical examination

Scope: Independently practices clinical social work — diagnosis of mental, emotional, behavioral, addictive and developmental disorders within a psychosocial framework, plus assessment-based treatment planning and psychotherapy.
  1. EducationHold an MSW (at least 60 semester hours) that includes at least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework (diagnosis/assessment, clinical treatment, and practice with general/special populations) from an acceptable two-year graduate social work program.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 36 months (three years) of post-MSW supervised experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy and assessment-based treatment planning, including at least 100 hours of in-person individual/group clinical supervision; in NYS this is generally done as an LMSW or limited-permit holder under an LCSW, psychologist or psychiatrist.
  3. ExamPass the ASWB Clinical examination (education AND experience must be approved before you may register).
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $294 fee, Form 2 (education), Form 4B (experience verification); optionally file a Form 6 supervision plan in advance; complete Child Abuse training; be at least 21 and of good moral character. No NY jurisprudence exam.

Official Social Work resources

Marriage & Family Therapy

Prep for the National MFT Exam →
LMFT Limited Permit

Marriage and Family Therapist Limited Permit (pre-license)

Required exam: None required to obtain the permit (education must be approved first); AMFTRB exam still required for full licensure

Scope: A pre-licensure permit allowing you to practice marriage and family therapy only under qualified supervision at an approved site while you complete your 1,500 client-contact hours and/or pass the exam.
  1. EducationHold a master's or doctoral degree in MFT (at least 45 semester hours) from a NYS-registered licensure-qualifying or COAMFTE-accredited program, or an allied mental-health degree with Department-approved equivalent coursework; education must be approved before a permit is issued.
  2. Supervision / experiencePermit holder works under a qualified supervisor (LMFT, psychologist, LCSW, psychiatrist, NP or RN competent in MFT); supervisor provides at least 1 hour/week or 4 hours/month of in-person supervision; no supervisor may oversee more than five permit holders.
  3. ExamNo exam needed to receive the permit; you sit the AMFTRB exam during the permit period.
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $371 fee and Form 2 (education), then Form 5 + $70 permit fee for a specific site/supervisor; complete Child Abuse training. Permit valid 2 years, extendable up to two additional 1-year periods.
LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Required exam: Examination in Marital and Family Therapy, developed by AMFTRB and administered by Professional Testing Corporation (PTC); the California exam is NOT accepted

Scope: Independently assesses and treats mental, emotional and behavioral disorders within the context of marital, relational and family systems using psychotherapy and counseling techniques.
  1. EducationMaster's or doctoral degree in MFT (at least 45 semester hours) from a NYS-registered licensure-qualifying or COAMFTE-accredited program (or Department-determined substantial equivalent), including a supervised practicum of at least 300 client-contact hours.
  2. Supervision / experienceComplete at least 1,500 client-contact hours of supervised clinical experience in MFT; all 1,500 hours must be direct client contact. In NYS the post-degree portion must be obtained under a limited permit (program practicum hours may count for licensure-qualifying graduates).
  3. ExamPass the AMFTRB Examination in Marital and Family Therapy via PTC; you must have received the graduate degree to be admitted.
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $371 fee, school submits Form 2, complete Child Abuse training, be at least 21 and of good moral character. No NY jurisprudence exam.

Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources

Psychology

Prep for the EPPP →
Limited Permit (Psychology)

Psychologist Limited Permit (pre-license)

Required exam: None to obtain the permit; EPPP (Part 1) still required for full licensure

Scope: A pre-licensure permit allowing a doctoral graduate to practice psychology under the supervision of a NYS-licensed psychologist while completing the experience and/or examination requirements.
  1. EducationComplete all doctoral degree requirements (including dissertation) in a psychology program registered by OP as licensure-qualifying or APA-accredited in health service psychology.
  2. Supervision / experiencePermit holder works under a NYS-licensed, currently registered psychologist; the permit is the vehicle for completing licensure-qualifying supervised experience.
  3. ExamNo exam to receive the permit; sit the EPPP during the permit period.
  4. ApplicationMeet all licensure requirements except exam and/or experience, file Form 1 + $294 licensure fee and Form 5A + $70 permit fee. Permit valid up to 12 months, extendable for up to two additional 12-month periods (aggregate not to exceed 3 years).
Licensed Psychologist

Licensed Psychologist

Required exam: Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), Part 1 – Knowledge only (ASPPB), converted score of at least 75; EPPP Part 2-Skills is NOT adopted in NY

Scope: Independently practices the full scope of psychology — assessment, diagnosis and intervention/treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral conditions.
  1. EducationEarn a doctoral degree in psychology from a program registered by OP as licensure-qualifying or accredited by the APA as a program in health service psychology (or Department-determined substantial equivalent); at least three years of full-time study including a one-year supervised practicum/internship.
  2. Supervision / experiencePresent two years (defined as 1,750 clock hours per year) of supervised experience; no more than one year may be the pre-doctoral internship, and the remaining year must be completed after the doctoral degree, with weekly supervision (at least 1 hour/week individual face-to-face for full-time experience).
  3. ExamPass the EPPP Part 1 (ASPPB, via Pearson VUE) with a converted score of at least 75; NY candidates may take it up to four times per year.
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $294 fee, school submits Form 2, complete Child Abuse training, be at least 21 and of good moral character. No NY jurisprudence exam.

Official Psychology resources

Behavior Analysis

Prep for the BCBA exam →
CBAA

Certified Behavior Analyst Assistant

Required exam: A NYS-administered behavior analyst assistant examination delivered by Pearson VUE (four month-long windows: Feb, May, Aug, Nov) — OR — qualify via Pathway Two with relevant BACB (BCaBA) certification

Scope: Practices applied behavior analysis under the supervision of a Licensed Behavior Analyst; an assistant-level credential parallel to the BACB's BCaBA.
  1. EducationHold a bachelor's or higher degree specifically in applied behavior analysis from a Department-registered (or substantially equivalent) program, or a bachelor's in a related field acceptable to the Department (e.g., psychology, education) with required ABA coursework.
  2. Supervision / experienceSubmit Form 4 (Report of Professional Experience) documenting ABA experience acceptable to the Board; a limited permit (under an LBA supervisor) authorizes practice while completing exam/experience.
  3. ExamPass the NYS CBAA examination via Pearson VUE — or apply under Pathway Two using a current BACB Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst certification (BACB certification alone does NOT authorize NY practice).
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $225 certification fee, Form 2 (education), Form 4 (experience); complete Child Abuse training; be at least 21 and of good moral character. Optional limited permit: Form 5 + $70 (valid 1 year, renewable once for good cause).
LBA

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Required exam: A NYS-administered behavior analyst examination delivered by Pearson VUE (four month-long windows: Feb, May, Aug, Nov) — OR — qualify via Pathway Two with relevant BACB (BCBA) certification

Scope: Independently practices applied behavior analysis — designing, supervising and delivering behavior-analytic assessment and intervention; the full-scope ABA license (parallel to the BACB's BCBA).
  1. EducationHold a master's or higher degree specifically in applied behavior analysis from a Department-registered (or substantially equivalent) program, or a master's in a related field (e.g., psychology, education) with graduate ABA coursework leading to an advanced certificate in ABA.
  2. Supervision / experienceSubmit Form 4 documenting supervised ABA experience acceptable to the Board; if completing BACB supervised-experience/exam requirements in NYS, you must obtain a $10 graduate permit and work under a NYS-licensed LBA. Graduate permits expire three years from issuance.
  3. ExamPass the NYS LBA examination via Pearson VUE — or apply under Pathway Two (effective Nov 22, 2022) using a current BACB Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification (BACB certification alone does NOT authorize NY practice).
  4. ApplicationFile Form 1 + $300 licensure/registration fee, Form 2 (education), Form 4 (experience); complete Child Abuse training; be at least 21 and of good moral character. No NY jurisprudence exam.

Official Behavior Analysis resources

All licenses

New York licensing portals & background checks.

How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one New York license, plus its scope of practice. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the official board before you apply. Verified against the official state boards in June 2026.

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