To maintain an active credential moving forward, current Diplomate and Specialist credential holders will be required to renew under the updated credentialing structure. This ensures that all credential holders meet current standards for advanced clinical practice, professional development, and specialization.
Current credential holders will be transitioned into the updated credentialing framework and will be required to renew under the revised standards to maintain active status.

The certifications separately recognize distinct qualifications to be 1) an AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist; 2) an advanced practice, generalist clinician Diplomate; or 3) an advanced educator or researcher Fellow. Because these are independent certifications, they may be earned in any order. An individual does not have to be an AMHCA Specialist to become a Diplomate or a Fellow. However, since members can apply for the Specialist certification after three years of independent practice, AMHCA anticipates that members might apply for it prior to submitting for one or the other two certifications, which require five years of independent practice.

The Emeritus designation recognizes retired professionals who have made significant contributions to clinical mental health counseling. Licensure is not required for Emeritus status, but applicants must otherwise meet eligibility requirements and demonstrate a history of meaningful professional contribution.

An individual may earn each of the three certfications. For example, a fully licensed CMHC might decide to become an AMHCA Diplomate after meeting the requirements of this certification. Later, this person may want to specialize in Trauma and complete the post-master's continuing training, supervision, and experience to qualify as an AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist. After working in the field for some time, this CMHC may earn a doctorate and qualify to teach in a university clinical mental health counseling program. After teaching for a number of years, the individual might decide to apply for the AMHCA Fellow. You can have a Diplomate and Specialist at the same time or a Fellow and Specialist at the same time, but not a Diplomate and Fellow. A Diplomate credential requires 50+% of your professional time to be spent in advanced clinical practice, and a Fellow credential requires 50+% of your professional time to be spent in education and research – therefore it is not possible to hold both at the same time.

Qualified LCMHCs can apply for multiple Advanced Professional Certifications. Applicants can apply for more than one area of specialization as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist. For example, an LCMHC could apply to become a Specialist in Military Counseling as well as a Specialist in Substance Use and Co-occurring Disorders. This same LCMHC could also apply to become a Diplomate in Advanced Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice or a Fellow in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Education and Research.

It is possible to hold both a Specialist credential and either a Diplomate or Fellow designation at the same time. For example, a licensed clinical mental health counselor might first earn the Diplomate credential based on advanced clinical practice, and later pursue a Specialist designation in an area such as trauma. Similarly, a counselor working in academia could hold both a Fellow designation and a Specialist credential.
However, you cannot hold both the Diplomate and Fellow credentials simultaneously. This is because each reflects a different primary professional focus. The Diplomate designation requires that at least 50 percent of your professional time is dedicated to advanced clinical practice, while the Fellow designation requires that at least 50 percent of your time is devoted to education, research, or scholarly work.

These new AMHCA credentialing options attest to "Advanced Professional Certification" as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist, Diplomate, or Fellow. They are in addition to any other certifications and were developed to recognize a high level of continuing advancement in our profession.

The mission of the AMHCA Credential Certification Board is: a) To promote and recognize advanced training and specialization by establishing relevant and contemporary standards for the AMHCA Diplomate, AMHCA Fellow and AMHCA Specialist, as well as forthcoming credentials approved by the AMHCA Board of Directors; b) To assess the applications and qualifications of Clinical Mental Health Counselors who apply for a credential; c) To assure that each candidate recommended to the AMHCA Board of Directors for credential status meets the requirements in post-graduate professional development, advanced clinical practice, ethical conduct, contributions to the profession, and (if applicable) demonstrates excellence in practice in the designated clinical specialty area.

Since 2012, AMHCA has recognized outstanding professional development through the Diplomate and Clinical Mental Health Specialist (DCMHS) program. Over the years, AMHCA saw that some CMHCs gain expertise and prominence by following professional development paths that do not always include specialization in a particular area. To recognize this, the AMHCA board of directors voted in 2018 to expand the DCMHS program beyond recognizing specialists in a specific area. The DCMHS program is now separated into three advanced-level credentialing certifications: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist, Diplomate in Advanced Clinical mental Health Counseling Practice, and Fellow in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Education and Research.

No, a state mental health counselor license is issued to regulate the practice of counseling and protect the public. A state mental health counseling license is issued by and useful only in the jurisdiction where the holder plans to practice. An AMHCA credential/specialty certification signifies that the holder has met the highest standards developed in the clinical mental health counseling profession nationally in addition to having experience and supervision working with certain populations. All holders of AMHCA credentials agree to adhere to the AMHCA Code of Ethics and AMHCA Standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as standards for clinical mental health practice.

An AMHCA credential or specialty certification is a professional designation and does not take the place of a state license. AMHCA credentials and specialty certifications are used to enhance the state license. It signifies that the holder has additional training, experience, and supervision.

Credentials from the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) recognize advanced professional achievement beyond independent licensure and general certification. Whether earned as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist, Diplomate, or Fellow, these credentials demonstrate a commitment to excellence, ongoing professional development, and ethical practice. 

AMHCA credentials provide independent, peer-reviewed recognition of advanced expertise and professional accomplishment. They may help counselors distinguish themselves within the profession, communicate specialized knowledge or leadership experience, and demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing clinical mental health counseling. 

Benefits may include:

• Recognition of advanced clinical expertise, leadership, scholarship, or specialization
• Enhanced professional credibility with clients, employers, colleagues, and interdisciplinary partners
• Distinction within a competitive professional environment
• Demonstration of commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth
• Verification of achievement through a rigorous peer-review process
• Opportunities to showcase specialty expertise and professional contributions through digital badges and professional recognition

AMHCA credentials are designed to celebrate excellence while promoting high standards of clinical practice, education, research, leadership, and service to the profession.

You can apply for an AMHCA Credential online at www.amhca.org/career/credential/apply. When you have finished the application and have uploaded all your supporting documentation you will click submit and proceed to with the application fee.

The time required to complete an application varies depending on the credential sought and the amount of documentation needed. Applications for Diplomate and Fellow credentials can often be completed in less than an hour, while Specialist applications may require additional time to document professional development, clinical experience, and specialty-specific requirements.
Once submitted, applications undergo a formal peer-review process conducted by the AMHCA Credentialing and Certification Board (CCB). Applicants will receive confirmation when their application has been received and may be contacted if additional information is needed. Review timelines vary based on application volume and reviewer availability. Applicants will be notified once a final decision has been made. AMHCA strives to conduct reviews in a timely manner while maintaining the rigorous standards expected of advanced professional credentials.

Yes. All AMHCA credentials require renewal to ensure that credential holders continue to demonstrate professional competence, ethical practice, and ongoing engagement in the profession. Renewal requirements vary by credential:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist

• Current licensure
• Documentation of specialty-related continuing education
• Ethics attestation
• Disclosure of any disciplinary or licensure concerns
• Renewal application and fee

Diplomate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

• Current licensure (unless applying for Emeritus status)
• Documentation of a significant clinical leadership or professional contribution during the renewal cycle
• Ethics attestation
• Disclosure of any disciplinary or licensure concerns
• Renewal application and fee

Fellow in Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

• Current licensure (unless applying for Emeritus status)
• Documentation of a significant scholarly, educational, research, or professional contribution during the renewal cycle
• Ethics attestation
• Disclosure of any disciplinary or licensure concerns
• Renewal application and fee

All credentials are renewed on a two-year cycle. Renewal requirements are designed to ensure that credential holders remain active contributors to the profession while maintaining the highest standards of practice and professional conduct.

Eligibility requirements vary by credential and are designed to recognize different forms of professional achievement within clinical mental health counseling.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist

Recognizes advanced expertise in a specific area of practice. Applicants must demonstrate specialty-focused professional development, clinical experience, supervision or consultation, and adherence to AMHCA ethical standards.

Diplomate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Recognizes advanced clinical practice, leadership, and professional contribution. Applicants must demonstrate significant post-licensure experience, service to the profession, continuing education, and evidence of advanced clinical achievement.

Fellow in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Recognizes sustained contributions to counselor education, research, scholarship, and professional leadership. Applicants must demonstrate doctoral-level preparation, teaching and/or research experience, scholarly contributions, and service to the profession.

Detailed eligibility requirements, reviewer checklists, and application materials for each credential can be found on the corresponding credential webpages.

You must be a member to apply for an AMHCA Credential. AMHCA does offer a combined membership+application fee rate for those who are not already members. If you are not a member, join first as a 'Guest' in our system and it will prompt you to pay the non-member rate when you pay your fee.

Continuing education and professional development are important components of AMHCA credentialing; however, requirements vary by credential. For the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist credential, applicants must document professional development specifically related to the specialty area. Specialists must also complete specialty-related continuing education as part of the renewal process to maintain active status. For the Diplomate credential, applicants must demonstrate substantial continuing professional development as part of the initial application process. Renewal focuses on continued leadership, clinical contribution, and professional impact. For the Fellow credential, the emphasis is placed on scholarly, educational, research, and professional contributions, although continuing professional development remains an important aspect of maintaining competence and leadership within the profession. Specific continuing education requirements and eligibility criteria are outlined on each credential page and in the associated reviewer checklists.

Yes, as long as the content of the continuing education program is directly related to the practice area of the specialty certification.

Going forward, AMHCA will indicate on all continuing education events that it holds what programs meet the requirements for an AMHCA credential.

No. Eligibility determinations are made only through the formal application and peer-review process. Applicants are encouraged to review the credential requirements and reviewer checklists before applying.