Title
Behavioral Health Careers by State
Body
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Career Navigator is a tool for people who want a job or career in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. There are many ways to start and grow a career in behavioral health. Each path has its own requirements for getting and keeping a license or certification, and these requirements can be different depending on where you live. You can also learn more about each role.
New York Careers
Addiction Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 6000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 6000 hours (generally supervised); 300 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 60 hours |
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No for nurse licensure; no for APRN | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes (exam to be RN) | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be licensed RN | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Not specified | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, Must hold active certification in specialty practice |
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practitioner
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No for nurse licensure; no for APRN | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes (exam to be RN) | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be licensed RN | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Must be a licensed RN | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, Must hold active certification in specialty practice |
Clinical Social Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 36 months | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 36 months (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | No | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
Marriage and Family Therapist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 1500 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
Mental Health Counselor
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3000 hours (generally supervised); 1 hour per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
Peer Recovery Support Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York Certification Board
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 25 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 28 hours |
Physician Assistant
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | No | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 100 hours every two years (for NCCPA certification) |
Prevention Specialist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Undergraduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 4000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 4000 hours (generally supervised); 120 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 60 hours |
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | Not applicable | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | High school/GED |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2000 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 2000 hours (generally supervised); 120 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 60 hours |
Psychiatrist/Addiction Medicine Physician
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Postgraduate training (e.g., residency) | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, Post-graduate training (e.g., residency) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 24 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | No (but infection control training required every 4 years), Not applicable |
Psychologist
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3500 hours | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 3500 hours (generally supervised); 2 hours per week (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |
Social Worker
| Issuing body and coverage area | Issuer of the license or certification |
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
For more information |
| Is the state/jurisdiction a member of an interstate compact that covers this license or certification? | No | |
| Obtaining a license or certification for the first time | What degree is necessary to obtain this license or certification? | Graduate |
| Is passing a qualifying exam required for this license or certification? | Yes | |
| Are practice hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 36 months | |
| Are supervision hours required for this license or certification? | Yes, 36 months (generally supervised); 100 hours (directly supervised) | |
| Does the issuer of the license or certification provide any information for professionals licensed/certified in another state/jurisdiction on how to become licensed/certified in this state/jurisdiction? | Yes | |
| Renewing a license or certification | How frequently does this license or certification require renewal? | 36 months |
| Are continuing education hours required to renew this license or certification? | Yes, 36 hours |