Licensed Professional Counselor / New Hampshire
2026 data New Hampshire board official source

New Hampshire Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the New Hampshire data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

To practice as a licensed professional counselor in New Hampshire, the state licensing board requires 2,500 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under New Hampshire's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Budget $60 to get started, plus $60 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For licensed professional counselors, the reciprocity picture is: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
46/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · New Hampshire

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee A-
$60
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$30/yr
$60 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in New Hampshire

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,500 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$60
Renewal Fee
$60
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Professional Counselor All New Hampshire licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Hampshire licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in New Hampshire? ▼
In New Hampshire, the license path calls for 2500 education/training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and a $60 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Hampshire? ▼
To become a licensed licensed professional counselor in New Hampshire, you must meet the state's requirements including 2500 hours of education and 2 years of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the New Hampshire licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to New Hampshire from another state? ▼
For licensed professional counselors, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the New Hampshire licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does New Hampshire require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for licensed professional counselor licensing in New Hampshire. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in New Hampshire? ▼
To stay licensed as a licensed professional counselor in New Hampshire, plan on 30 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $60.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in New Hampshire, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed professional counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Hampshire licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.