License: Pastoral Psychotherapist

New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice Office of Professional Licensure and Certification external site

121 South Fruit Street

Concord, NH

(603) 271-2702

<p>Pastoral Psychotherapists are clergy persons with graduate training enabling them to provide psychotherapy, marital, and family therapy. Some also offer group therapy and sex therapy.</p> <p><strong>Legislation:</strong> NH RSA 330-A:17; Administrative Rules Chapter Mhp 100-500</p> <p><strong>Licensure Requirements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Hold the following educational degrees:</li> <ul> <li>A Baccalaureate from an accredited college or university;</li> <li>A Master of Divinity degree, or an equivalent, from a school of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools; and</li> <li>A Doctorate in pastoral psychotherapy</li> </ul> <li>Have attained the level of Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors or an equivalent organization</li> <li>Have been authorized by a denomination or faith group to exercise specific leadership and service on its behalf</li> <li>Have completed one unit of full-time clinical pastoral education or its equivalent</li> <li>Give evidence of serving at least three years as a clergy person, demonstrating growing maturity in one's identity and role as a professional religious leader</li> <li>Complete two years of not less than 1,500 hours per year of supervised experience in pastoral psychotherapy</li> <li>Of the of 3,000 hours specified above, have performed at least 1,375 hours of clinical pastoral counseling while receiving at least 250 hours of interdisciplinary supervision</li> <li>Give evidence of having undergone sufficient theological and psychotherapeutic investigation of one's own intrapsychic and interpersonal processes</li> <li>Give evidence of:</li> <ul> <li>an understanding of the counseling or psychotherapeutic process;</li> <li>an ability to develop the counseling or psychotherapeutic relationship;</li> <li>an ability to perform a leadership role in the context of the religious community; and</li> <li>an ability to integrate one's professional role and personal identity</li> </ul> <li>Pass a satisfactory examination in pastoral counseling as set and defined by the Board</li> <li>New Hampshire residency is not required, but must be principally employed in New Hampshire</li> </ul> <p><strong>Examination:</strong>  Written and oral examinations required</p> <p><strong>Continuing Education:</strong> 40 hours of continuing education credits are required every two years, plus 20 hours of collaboration per year</p> <p><strong>Fees</strong>:</p> <ul> <li>Application review: $150</li> <li>Second year license fee (submitted with application review fee): $135</li> <li>Biennial renewal: $270</li> <li>Inactive license (one year): $67.50</li> <li>License reinstatement: $300</li> </ul> <p><strong>Reciprocity:</strong> Permitted, according to the standards of other states. Must exceed or equal the New Hampshire Board's requirements.</p> <p>revised Jan 2018</p>