Applying for Licensure

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Below is general information about NC clinical mental health counseling licenses and the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) application processes.

You must have an active license in order to practice counseling in the state of North Carolina.

Licensure Overview

Three tiered licensure format:

  1. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA)
  2. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
  3. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS)

All applications have a fee of $238 (includes $38 Criminal Background Check). Application fees are non-refundable.

North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. Active, independently licensed counselors in South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky can apply for LCMHC License by Reciprocity; active, independently licensed professional counselors in other states can apply for the LCMHC license by endorsement.

NCBLCMHC does not regulate members of other regulated professions who do counseling in the normal course of the practice of their profession. Please see § 90-332.1 of NC GS Article 24 to determine if you are working in an exempt setting.

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) restricted license

The LCMHCA license is a pre-requisite for LCMHC license for new graduates and/or new counseling professionals

Must complete all requirements before licensure can be issued.

This is a restricted license.

CAN NOT work unless an approved supervision contract is on file with the Board Office.

License number starts with A Example: A0000

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

License for persons with supervised professional counseling experience.

Must complete all requirements before licensure can be issued.

This is an independent licensure (non-restricted).

Same license number with no letter at the beginning Example: 0000.

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS) supervision credential

License for persons engaged in the practice of counseling who holds a license as a licensed professional counselor and is approved by the Board to provide clinical supervision

Must complete all requirements before credential can be issued.

Verification of Professional Counseling Experience

License number with S at the beginning Example: S0000

Application Review Process Overview

This information is provided to answer frequently asked questions about what happens to the application once it reaches the Board office. Please review the following before calling the Board office.

NCBLCMHC is pleased to offer the online application process, All applicants must use this process to save money on postage, ensure their application is received, and decrease the initial application processing time.

1) Submitting your application