School Behavioral Health Counselor (Pre K-12)

Initial License

• $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
• Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and qualify by 1 of the 5 pathways offered:
  • • Pathway 1
      • Hold a department-issued license for school counseling or rehabilitation counseling and be certified by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board as one of the following types of counselors;
      • licensed professional counselor (LPC); or
      • licensed mental health counselor (LMHC); or
      • licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC).
    • Pathway 2
      • Hold a department-issued license for school social workers.
    • Pathway 3
      • Hold a department-issued license for school psychologists.
    • Pathway 4
      • Hold a nationally certified counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors and be certified by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board as one of the following types of counselors:
      • licensed professional counselor (LPC); or
      • licensed mental health counselor (LMHC); or
      • licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC).
    • Pathway 5
      • Be certified by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board as one of the following types of therapists of counselors:
      • licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT); or
      • licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor; or
      • licensed professional art therapist (LPAT).

• Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

Level 2 Licensure

An individual who meets the requirements of Subsection A, B, C, D, or E of this section and who is seeking a level 2 school behavioral health counselor license shall provide, on a form acceptable to the department, evidence of experience working with children or adolescents in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least three full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations.

Level 3 Licensure

An individual who meets the requirements of Subsection A, B, C, D, or E of this section and who is seeking a level 3 school behavioral health counselor license shall provide, on a form acceptable to the department, evidence of experience working with children or adolescents in any state or foreign country or combination of other states or countries other than New Mexico for at least six full school years at any time preceding their application for licensure while holding at least one standard out-of-state or New Mexico teaching license or foreign country authorization to teach or combination of any of the aforementioned licenses or authorizations.

Renewal License

• $120 (non-refundable) fee will be valid for a one-year grace period for level 2 or 3 (from the time of expiration). If the expiration date exceeds the grace period a $150.00 would apply; and;
• Renewal Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
• Superintendent‘s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure (Must be on School District Letterhead).
  • Note: If the educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure

Renewal of Licensure Level

Level 1 → 3 year license

Level 2 → 9 year license, advancement to a level 2 can be obtained after 3 full school years of licensure on a level 1 license

Level 3 → 9 year license, advancement to a level 3 can be obtained after 3 full school years of licensure on a level 2 license

Delay of application:

• Your application is lacking supporting documents listed in the above checklist;
• If your license(s) has expired (and you do not have additional valid licenses on file), and your background was completed 24 months or more, you will need to complete a new background for Teacher Licensure. School Employment backgrounds will not be accepted.

NMPED Correspondence with Educators:

• Consultants correspond by email. Please check your spam/junk folder.