Counseling License Requirements in North Carolina
Discover North Carolina counseling licensure requirements, average salaries, and more in this guide.
From its Blue Ridge mountain peaks to its sandy beaches, North Carolina is an ideal setting for aspiring counselors. Learn more about North Carolina counseling licensure requirements, average salaries in the state, and the organizations that support counselors in North Carolina.
North Carolina Counseling Licensure Requirements
The North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors oversees counseling licensure requirements, while the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board handles marriage and family therapy licensing. The North Carolina Department of Instruction ov
Here is an overview of North Carolina counseling licensure requirements:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Counselor in North Carolina?
The time it takes to become a counselor in North Carolina varies depending on where you are in your professional journey. Most master’s programs take two to three years of full-time study to complete. Following graduation, required clinical experience for LCMHCs and LMFTs can take one to three years to complete.
Application processing time must also be taken into account. Applications typically take four to six weeks from completed application submission to process, so even after you’ve met all the requirements and submitted your application, it could take up to two months before receiving your license.
Out-of-State Licensing Reciprocity in North Carolina
North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky for LCMHCs. Active, independently licensed counselors in other states can apply for licensure in North Carolina by endorsement. Endorsement candidates must have at least five years of full-time (or eight years of part-time) counseling experience.
LMFTs from any other state can be considered for reciprocity if they have held licensure for a minimum of five years. Out-of-state school counselors seeking licensure in North Carolina can begin the process for an educator’s license. North Carolina recognizes approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) from all states.
School counselors who have completed an equivalent, accredited school counseling preparation program in another state qualify for North Carolina licensure.
How to Renew a Counseling License in North Carolina
For LCMHCs, the renewal period is two years, and 40 hours of continuing education is required. The jurisprudence exam, which must be completed each time you renew your license, counts as five hours in ethics. An additional 10 contact hours of continuing education in clinical supervision is required for LMHCS license holders.
The LMFT license is renewed annually with 20 hours of continuing education credits, including three hours of ethics.
School counseling licenses must be renewed every five years. Eight renewal credits, or 80 contact hours, of continuing education, are required at the time of renewal. Two credits must address digital learning competencies.
Salary Expectations for Counselors in North Carolina
Marriage and family therapists, along with substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, earn the highest counseling salaries in North Carolina, with average annual salaries exceeding $60,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
However, counselors working in North Carolina make less than the national average salary for counselors in their respective fields This is especially true for marriage and family therapists, who earn about $8,000 less than the national average. This may reflect a lower cost of living in North Carolina, compared to other states in the country.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $27.37 | $56,920 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $29.10 | $60,540 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $22.74 | $47,300 |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $29.06 | $60,440 |
| Counselors, All Other | $22.83 | $47,490 |
Professional Organizations for Counselors in North Carolina
- North Carolina Counseling Association: NCCA is a state branch of the American Counseling Association. This organization focuses on advocacy efforts, educational opportunities, and high professional standards for counselors in the state. It offers local divisions and chapters throughout the state.
- Licensed Clinical Counselors of North Carolina: LCCNC supports clinical counselors in the state through legislative advocacy efforts and professional development opportunities. They offer regional membership meetings in the Mountain, Central Piedmont, and Coastal regions of the state.
- North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: NCAMFT is an independent affiliate of AAMFT that offers conferences and CE opportunities for marriage and family therapists in the state. You must first be a member of AAMFT to join.
- Addiction Professionals of North Carolina: APNC advocates exclusively on behalf of addiction professionals in the state. APNC offers networking and professional development opportunities to drive positive change in the substance use field.
- North Carolina School Counselor Association: NCSCA aims to promote excellence for school counselors and the students they serve through advocacy, leadership, professional development, and best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Counseling Licensure
Following your bachelor’s degree, it can take between two and six years to meet North Carolina counseling licensure requirements. School counselors can earn a license following graduation from an approved master’s program, while LCMHCs and MFTs need several years of supervised, postgraduate experience.
