Endorsement Path: you hold an independent counseling license from another US jurisdiction (e.g., MN LPCC, TX LPC), in good standing, with at least 5 years of licensed independent practice in the prior 10.
Note: If you do not meet the 5-year requirement, endorsement is not available and there is no partial credit. You must file as a standard applicant. The Counseling Compact, an agreement among 40 states that lets counselors practice in other participating states without a second license, does not help here either: New York has not joined.
Link to the Endorsement LMHC Article
Standard Path: you hold (or are completing) a master's or doctoral degree in counseling, and need 3,000 hours of supervised experience (1,500 in direct client contact), whether you have started accruing them or not.
Link to the Standard LMHC Article
Renewal Path: you already hold a New York LMHC and need to re-register to keep practicing. This runs on a three-year cycle tied to your birth month.
Link to LMHC Renewal Article