Step-by-step licensure pathways in North Carolina.
North Carolina regulates each behavioral health profession through a separate, profession-specific board rather than a single umbrella agency. Counseling renamed its credentials in 2019 (LPC/LPCA became LCMHC/LCMHCA) and runs an associate–to–independent ladder, as do social work (LCSWA → LCSW), MFT (LMFTA → LMFT), and addictions (the LCAS license track plus the CADC certification). Psychology is distinctive in offering BOTH a doctoral Licensed Psychologist and a master’s-level Licensed Psychological Associate, each with its own EPPP cut score. North Carolina has licensed behavior analysts (LBA / LABA) since 2021 through the NC Behavior Analyst Licensure Board. North Carolina is also notable for requiring a state jurisprudence-type examination in two of these professions — counseling (the NCBLCMHC Jurisprudence Exam) and psychology (the NCPB State Examination) — while social work, MFT, and addictions do not impose a separate state law exam.
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Professional Counseling
Prep for the NCMHCE / NCE →Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate
Required exam: One national exam — NCE, NCMHCE, or CRC (applicant’s choice) — PLUS the NC Jurisprudence Exam. NCMHCE is one of three accepted national options, not specifically mandated.
- EducationMaster’s degree with a minimum of 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of graduate training in counseling or a related field from a CACREP-accredited program (effective July 1, 2022). Coursework must cover the board’s nine content areas (helping relationships, professional orientation, human growth & development, social/cultural foundations, group counseling, career counseling, assessment, research & program evaluation, plus practicum/internship), with at least one 3-semester-hour course per area.
- Supervision / experienceAt the associate stage the experience requirement is the graduate practicum and internship completed during the master’s program (verified on the Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience form). For applications on or after July 1, 2025, all internship experience must be in a clinical mental health setting. Once licensed, the LCMHCA works under a board-approved supervision contract while accruing hours toward the LCMHC.
- ExamPass one national exam (NCE, NCMHCE, or CRC) and complete the NC Jurisprudence Exam — an open, no-fail exam covering the laws and ethical codes governing the LCMHC, taken within six months prior to application, with a Certificate of Completion submitted with the application.
- ApplicationApply online through the board portal (no paper accepted). Submit official sealed transcripts, three references (at least one from an LCMHC), a notarized Application Affidavit, a fingerprint-based criminal background check (per NCGS §90-345), an LCMHCA Professional Disclosure Statement, the Jurisprudence Exam certificate, and official national exam scores. Fee $238 (incl. $38 background-check fee); processing 4–6 weeks (verified June 2026).
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Required exam: National exam (NCE, NCMHCE, or CRC) carried forward from the LCMHCA, PLUS a fresh LCMHC Jurisprudence Exam taken within six months of this application.
- EducationSame educational threshold as the LCMHCA: master’s degree, minimum 60 semester / 90 quarter hours in counseling or a related field from a CACREP-accredited institution (post-July 1, 2022 rule), covering the nine content areas. Typically already satisfied at the associate stage.
- Supervision / experience3,000 hours of supervised professional practice under a board-approved qualified clinical supervisor, of which 2,000 hours must be direct counseling (no master’s practicum/internship hours count; max 40 hours/week applied). Requires 100 hours of clinical supervision (at least 75 individual; minimum 1 supervision hour per 40 hours of practice). The former 24-month minimum timeframe has been removed — the requirement is now hours-based.
- ExamThe national exam (NCE/NCMHCE/CRC) requirement is already met from the associate application; the applicant completes the LCMHC Jurisprudence Exam within six months of submitting this application (Certificate of Completion required at each license level).
- ApplicationApply via the board portal as ‘LCMHCA to LCMHC.’ The applicant must hold an active LCMHCA at board review and continue supervised practice until the LCMHC is issued. Submit Final Supervision Report(s), Verification of Supervised Professional Practice, updated LCMHC Professional Disclosure Statement, notarized affidavit, background check, references, and the Jurisprudence certificate. Fee $238 (incl. $38 background check); processing 4–6 weeks (verified June 2026).
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor
Required exam: No additional national exam beyond the LCMHC requirement; the LCMHCS Jurisprudence Exam is required (within six months of application).
- EducationHold an active LCMHC, plus the equivalent of 3 graduate semester credits in clinical supervision OR 45 contact hours of continuing education in supervision.
- Supervision / experienceA minimum of 5 years of post-graduate counseling experience, of which at least 2 years must be post-licensure as an LCMHC.
- ExamComplete the LCMHCS Jurisprudence Exam (open, no-fail) within six months of application; no separate national exam beyond what was passed for the LCMHC.
- ApplicationApply via the board portal with proof of the active LCMHC, documentation of the supervision coursework/CE, verification of the 5-year experience requirement, the Jurisprudence certificate, and the applicable fee.
Addiction & Substance Use Counseling
Prep for the MAC / NCAC exam →Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Required exam: IC&RC Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) examination
- Education270 clock hours of approved education/training, of which 190 must be substance-use-disorder (SUD)-specific, including a minimum 6 hours across ethics, HIV/AIDS-STDs-bloodborne pathogens, and contemporary addictions topics (plus 3 hours of clinical ethics at Registration). HS diploma/equivalency, associate, bachelor’s, or non-qualifying graduate degree accepted.
- Supervision / experience6,000 hours (3 years) of supervised SUD counseling experience verified by a CCS or CSI, including a 300-hour supervised practicum (1:10 supervision by a CCS/CSI) that must be completed before sitting for the exam; ongoing supervision is at a 1:40 ratio thereafter.
- ExamPass the IC&RC ADC examination (year-round computer-based testing via SMT); the 300-hour practicum must be completed before the applicant is approved to test.
- ApplicationApply through the LearningBuilder platform in three stages: Registration (degree docs, CCS/CSI supervision agreement, ethics agreement, 3 hrs clinical ethics, resume + job description, fee, SBI/FBI background check), Intern status after passing the ADC exam, and full Certification upon completing the 6,000 hours and 270 education hours.
Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist – Associate
Required exam: IC&RC Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) — eligible to test once Associate status is reached
- EducationMaster’s or higher in a human-services field that includes a clinical internship as part of the degree curriculum (statutory requirement, no grandfathering). 3 clock hours of ethics training required at Registration.
- Supervision / experienceCriteria A applicants reach Associate status by completing a 300-hour post-master’s supervised practicum (1:10 supervision by a CCS/CSI). Criteria B (existing CADC + qualifying master’s) and Criteria C (pre-approved addictions master’s program) applicants earn Associate status at Registration.
- ExamThe applicant becomes eligible to take the IC&RC AADC examination upon reaching Associate status (the exam may be taken before full licensure).
- ApplicationRegister in LearningBuilder under the correct criteria (A/B/C/D) with advanced-degree documentation, CCS/CSI supervision agreement, ethics agreement, 3 hrs ethics, resume + job description, fee, and LiveScan background check. Registration is limited to 5 years before re-application.
Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist
Required exam: IC&RC Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (AADC) examination
- EducationQualifying master’s (or higher) in a human-services field WITH a clinical internship in the curriculum (by law; no grandfathering). Criteria A also requires 180 clock hours of SUD-specific training including 6 hours of special topics in addictions; Criteria C education is satisfied by the pre-approved degree.
- Supervision / experienceCriteria A: 4,000 hours (2 years) of post-master’s supervised experience at a 1:40 ratio. Criteria C (pre-approved SUD master’s): 2,000 hours (1 year) post-master’s at 1:40. Criteria B (existing CADC + master’s) and Criteria D (Deemed Status national certification + master’s) are deemed complete. All criteria require three references from current LCAS/CADC holders with master’s degrees.
- ExamPass the IC&RC AADC examination (Criteria D may use the Deemed Status organization’s national exam or the AADC). Year-round computer-based testing via SMT.
- ApplicationApply in LearningBuilder under Criteria A/B/C/D in three steps — Registration, LCAS-Associate, full Licensure — submitting experience/education per criteria, three qualifying references, fees, and a LiveScan background check.
Certified Clinical Supervisor
Required exam: IC&RC Clinical Supervisor (CS) examination
- EducationMust already hold the LCAS (human-services master’s with a clinical internship). 15 hours of clinical-supervisor-specific education are required at the CSI/Registration stage, with the remaining 15 hours completed for a total of 30 hours by full certification.
- Supervision / experienceRegister as a Clinical Supervisor Intern (CSI), supervised by a CCS at a 1:80 ratio (CSI registration capped at 3 years, renewable once). Full certification requires 4,000 hours (2 years) of supervised clinical-supervisory experience verified by a CCS.
- ExamPass the IC&RC CS examination; since 2017, CCS applicants may request the exam registration after Registration and exam payment without first completing the full Learning Plan.
- ApplicationApply in LearningBuilder: CSI registration (advanced-degree docs incl. clinical internship, CCS supervision agreement, ethics agreement, resume + job description, 15 hrs supervisor education, fee, LiveScan background check). Full certification adds the second 15 education hours, 4,000 supervisory hours, the passed CS exam, and three references including one from a supervisee.
Official Addiction & Substance Use Counseling resources
Marriage & Family Therapy
Prep for the National MFT Exam →Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate
Required exam: AMFTRB National MFT Examination — required at this tier (must be passed before the LMFTA is issued).
- EducationMaster’s degree (or higher) in MFT or a related mental health field, minimum 45 semester hours, conferred by a regionally accredited university. COAMFTE-accredited program coursework is accepted automatically; ‘related degree’ applicants must submit course syllabi for evaluation. Transcript sent directly from the institution to the board.
- Supervision / experienceNo completed hours are required to obtain the LMFTA, but the applicant must submit and have accepted a supervision agreement with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor (or accepted Supervisory Candidate) before licensure. LMFTAs then have up to 3 years (one-year extension possible, max 4) from initial licensing to accrue the hours required to convert to LMFT.
- ExamPass the AMFTRB National MFT Examination (computer-based, offered monthly). Applicants may apply for the exam approval code while in the last semester of the qualifying program; the exam must be passed before LMFTA issuance.
- ApplicationApply online via the LearningBuilder applicant portal; submit transcript, supervision agreement, endorsement forms (at least one from a past/present supervisor), passing exam score, and — for applications on or after Oct 1, 2025 — a fingerprint/SBI criminal background check ($38 fee). Complete applications are reviewed on the 5th and 20th of each month; fees are non-refundable.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Required exam: AMFTRB National MFT Examination — required of all MFT license applicants (passed once at the LMFTA stage; scores do not expire and are not retaken).
- EducationSame qualifying degree as the LMFTA: master’s or higher in MFT or a related mental health field, at least 45 semester hours, regionally accredited; COAMFTE-accredited coursework accepted, related-degree applicants evaluated by syllabi.
- Supervision / experienceAt least 1,500 hours of documented direct clinical (face-to-face therapy) experience in MFT — no more than 500 earned during the qualifying degree, at least 1,000 earned after the degree, and at least 500 of the 1,500 being relational hours — plus a minimum of 200 supervision hours with an AAMFT Approved Supervisor (or accepted Supervisory Candidate), at least 25 of which must be post-degree.
- ExamThe AMFTRB National MFT Examination is already passed (typically at the LMFTA stage); scores do not expire and are not retaken.
- ApplicationApply online via LearningBuilder (the ‘LMFTA to LMFT’ conversion application for current associates, or the direct LMFT application). Submit completed clinical and supervision hours reporting, endorsement forms, transcript, and exam score; the background check applies to new applications on/after Oct 1, 2025. Reviewed on the 5th and 20th of each month; annual renewal due July 1 with 20 CE hours/year including 3 ethics hours. North Carolina requires no separate state jurisprudence exam for MFTs.
Official Marriage & Family Therapy resources
Psychology
Prep for the EPPP →Licensed Psychologist
Required exam: EPPP (national) at the NC Licensed Psychologist cut score of scaled 500, PLUS the NC State (jurisprudence) Examination at 78% of scored items. No oral exam in the normal pathway.
- EducationDoctoral degree based on a planned, directed program of studies in psychology from an institution of higher education that is publicly identified and clearly labeled as a psychology program (G.S. 90-270.145(a)(3)). The program must meet board rules on residency (1 year = 30 semester / 45 quarter hours at the institution), internship/field experience, course credits, content, and faculty. Primarily-online programs have been denied.
- Supervision / experienceAt least two years (a minimum of 3,000 hours per board application guidance) of acceptable, appropriate supervised experience germane to training and intended practice area, at least one year of which must be POSTDOCTORAL (board guidance specifies a minimum of 1 year / 1,500 hours postdoctoral). Supervision of health services must come from an HSP-certified psychologist.
- ExamPass the EPPP (ASPPB national exam) at the NC Licensed Psychologist cut score of scaled 500, AND pass the board-developed NC State Examination at 78% of scored items (the board webpage describes this as 39 of 50 correct, computer-based, 2-hour limit), covering the Practice Act, board rules, legal requirements, and the APA Ethics Code.
- ApplicationApply to the NC Psychology Board (application fee up to $100; EPPP vendor fee + up to $50). Submit oath-verified evidence of age (18+), good moral character, the doctoral degree (program-head verification letter for APA-accredited programs), and supervised experience, with no unresolved complaints in any jurisdiction. Apply within 30 days of practicing/offering to practice. For health-service practice, also obtain HSP-P certification (separate $50 fee).
Licensed Psychological Associate
Required exam: EPPP (national) at the NC Licensed Psychological Associate cut score of scaled 440 (lower than the LP), PLUS the NC State (jurisprudence) Examination at 78% of scored items. No oral exam in the normal pathway.
- EducationMaster’s OR specialist degree in psychology from an institution of higher education that is publicly identified and clearly labeled as a psychology program (G.S. 90-270.145(b)(1)c; 21 NCAC 54 .1802), subject to board rules on residency, internship/field experience, course credits, content, and faculty. Primarily-online programs have been denied.
- Supervision / experiencePre-licensure, all practice must be supervised until the EPPP and State exam are passed and the board grants permanent LPA licensure. Post-licensure, ongoing supervision by a qualified licensed psychologist remains required for the specified clinical activities (G.S. 90-270.139(e)). NC statute does not impose a fixed postdoctoral hour count for the LPA tier the way it does for the LP postdoctoral year.
- ExamPass the EPPP at the NC Licensed Psychological Associate cut score of scaled 440, AND pass the board-developed NC State Examination at 78% of scored items.
- ApplicationApply to the NC Psychology Board (application fee up to $100; EPPP vendor fee + up to $50). Submit oath-verified evidence of age (18+), good moral character, and the master’s/specialist degree, with no unresolved complaints in any jurisdiction. Apply within 30 days of practicing/offering to practice. For health-service practice, also obtain HSP-PA certification ($50 fee).
Behavior Analysis
Prep for the BCBA exam →Licensed Behavior Analyst
Required exam: The BCBA examination administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). NC recognizes active national certification rather than running its own exam; the QBA credential from QABA is also accepted.
- EducationEarn a qualifying master’s degree (or higher) and complete BACB-verified graduate behavior-analytic coursework, as required to be eligible for BCBA certification.
- Supervision / experienceComplete the BACB-required supervised fieldwork (supervised independent fieldwork / practicum hours) under a qualified BCBA, per BACB standards for BCBA eligibility.
- ExamPass the BCBA examination administered by the BACB (or obtain the QBA credential from QABA). NC recognizes the active national certification rather than administering its own test.
- ApplicationApply to the NCBALB: submit the application + public notice statement, a $250 application fee + $14 DOJ criminal-record-check fee, a fingerprint record card, a Castle Branch background check (package code ‘VN90’), a current copy of the BCBA (or QBA) certificate, two good-moral-character references, an applicant photo, and the Authority for Release of Information form. License renews biennially for $200.
Licensed Assistant Behavior Analyst
Required exam: The BCaBA examination administered by the BACB. NC also recognizes the QASP-S credential from QABA as an alternative.
- EducationEarn a qualifying bachelor’s degree and complete BACB-verified behavior-analytic coursework required for BCaBA certification eligibility.
- Supervision / experienceComplete the BACB-required supervised fieldwork for BCaBA eligibility, and maintain an ongoing supervision arrangement with a licensed behavior analyst (LBA) as a condition of practicing under the assistant license.
- ExamPass the BCaBA examination administered by the BACB (or obtain the QASP-S credential from QABA). NC recognizes active national certification rather than administering its own exam.
- ApplicationApply to the NCBALB: submit the application + public notice statement, a $200 application fee + $14 DOJ criminal-record-check fee, a fingerprint record card, a Castle Branch background check (package code ‘VN90’), a current copy of the BCaBA (or QASP-S) certificate, two good-moral-character references, an applicant photo, and the Authority for Release of Information form. License renews biennially for $200.
North Carolina licensing portals & background checks.
How to use this page. Each card shows the education, supervised experience, exam, and application steps for one North Carolina license, plus its scope of practice. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the official board before you apply. Verified against the official state boards in June 2026.
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Social Work
Prep for the ASWB exam →Certified Social Worker
Required exam: ASWB Bachelors-level examination
Certified Master Social Worker
Required exam: ASWB Masters-level examination (the ACSW examination through NASW is also accepted)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate
Required exam: None required for initial LCSWA licensure; the ASWB Clinical exam must be passed before the LCSW is issued (eligibility opens after 2 years of documented clinical practice).
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Required exam: ASWB Clinical-level examination
Official Social Work resources
NCSWCLB — Levels and Eligibility Requirements →NCSWCLB — Certification & Licensure (overview) →NCSWCLB — Applications FAQs →NCSWCLB — LCSW Associate (supervision toward LCSW) →NCSWCLB — Statute (NC Gen. Stat. 90B) →