Page 1 of 168
NEW YORK MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
(MHC) LICENSING ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM
REAL QUESTIONS WITH WELL ELABORATED
ANSWERS. (100% CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS)
1. A licensed MHC in NY treats a 14-year-old client who
discloses consensual sexual activity with a 13-year-old. The
client asks you not to tell parents. What should you do?
A) Honor confidentiality because both are minors and close in
age
B) Report to child protective services due to statutory rape
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C) Determine risk of harm and explain limits of confidentiality
D) Immediately inform parents without client consent
Answer: C
*Rationale: NY mandated reporting applies only if abuse
involves an adult or significant age gap (>4 years). Close-in-
age minors are generally not reportable unless coercion or
harm. MHC must explain limits.*
2. A client with borderline personality disorder threatens
suicide if you terminate sessions due to non-payment. Which is
BEST?
A) Continue sessions pro bono indefinitely
B) Terminate immediately and provide three referrals
C) Conduct risk assessment, offer sliding scale, and terminate
ethically if needed
D) File for involuntary hospitalization
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Answer: C
Rationale: ACA ethics require avoiding abandonment. Threat of
suicide requires assessment, not automatic termination or
hospitalization.
3. Under NYS Education Law, how many CE hours are required
per triennial registration for MHCs?
A) 24 hours total
B) 36 hours total, no specific topics
C) 36 hours including 3 child abuse + 3 suicide prevention
D) 48 hours including 6 ethics
Answer: C
Rationale: NY requires 36 CE hours every 3 years, including 3
hours in child abuse identification and 3 hours in suicide
prevention.
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4. A MHC receives a subpoena for client records in a divorce
case. Client does not consent. Correct response?
A) Release records immediately
B) Assert privilege until court orders disclosure after in-camera
review
C) Redact all identifying information and release
D) Destroy records to protect client
Answer: B
*Rationale: NY CPLR §4507 gives MHC-patient privilege.
MHC must assert privilege until judge orders disclosure.*
5. A client reveals they plan to seriously harm their ex-partner
tomorrow. Threat is genuine. MHC must:
A) Maintain confidentiality – duty to warn only for psychiatrists
in NY
B) Warn the potential victim and notify police (Tarasoff duty)
NEW YORK MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
(MHC) LICENSING ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM
REAL QUESTIONS WITH WELL ELABORATED
ANSWERS. (100% CORRECT VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS)
1. A licensed MHC in NY treats a 14-year-old client who
discloses consensual sexual activity with a 13-year-old. The
client asks you not to tell parents. What should you do?
A) Honor confidentiality because both are minors and close in
age
B) Report to child protective services due to statutory rape
,Page 2 of 168
C) Determine risk of harm and explain limits of confidentiality
D) Immediately inform parents without client consent
Answer: C
*Rationale: NY mandated reporting applies only if abuse
involves an adult or significant age gap (>4 years). Close-in-
age minors are generally not reportable unless coercion or
harm. MHC must explain limits.*
2. A client with borderline personality disorder threatens
suicide if you terminate sessions due to non-payment. Which is
BEST?
A) Continue sessions pro bono indefinitely
B) Terminate immediately and provide three referrals
C) Conduct risk assessment, offer sliding scale, and terminate
ethically if needed
D) File for involuntary hospitalization
,Page 3 of 168
Answer: C
Rationale: ACA ethics require avoiding abandonment. Threat of
suicide requires assessment, not automatic termination or
hospitalization.
3. Under NYS Education Law, how many CE hours are required
per triennial registration for MHCs?
A) 24 hours total
B) 36 hours total, no specific topics
C) 36 hours including 3 child abuse + 3 suicide prevention
D) 48 hours including 6 ethics
Answer: C
Rationale: NY requires 36 CE hours every 3 years, including 3
hours in child abuse identification and 3 hours in suicide
prevention.
, Page 4 of 168
4. A MHC receives a subpoena for client records in a divorce
case. Client does not consent. Correct response?
A) Release records immediately
B) Assert privilege until court orders disclosure after in-camera
review
C) Redact all identifying information and release
D) Destroy records to protect client
Answer: B
*Rationale: NY CPLR §4507 gives MHC-patient privilege.
MHC must assert privilege until judge orders disclosure.*
5. A client reveals they plan to seriously harm their ex-partner
tomorrow. Threat is genuine. MHC must:
A) Maintain confidentiality – duty to warn only for psychiatrists
in NY
B) Warn the potential victim and notify police (Tarasoff duty)
