As in many other states, counselors in North Carolina who have obtained their licensure are known as Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), while those who have yet to complete the supervision portion of the licensure process are called Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associates (LCMHCA).

North Carolina’s premier professional organizations for LCMHCs and LCMHCAs is the North Carolina Counseling Association. Licensure for LCMHCs in New Carolina is managed by the state’s Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. Licensure requirements for counselors in North Carolina, including education, supervision, examination, fees, renewal and “licensure by endorsement,” are examined in further detail below, along with salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well as scholarships and loan repayment programs available to LCMHCs in the state.

North Carolina LPC licensure requires the completion of a master’s degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Appropriate degree programs will be 60 semester hours of graduate-level coursework, with three semester hours in each of the following core content areas:

In addition to the coursework listed above, LCMHC licensure in North Carolina also requires the completion of an internship and practicum during graduate counseling school. Requirements for these experiences include: (i) at least one practicum course that lasts for three semester hours or five quarter hours, (ii) at least 17 hours of supervision, and (iii) at least one internship that lasts three semester hours or five quarter hours.

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Supervision is shorthand for directed, post-graduate experience in professional counseling under supervision in a work setting. Licensed professional counselor associates (LCMHCAs) in North Carolina are required to complete 3,000 hours of supervision, with 100 hours of supervision.

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North Carolina LCMHC licensure requires a passing score on either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification, the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam. Additionally, aspiring LCMHCs in North Carolina must also pass the Jurisprudence Exam.

National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE)

The NCE is a 200-question, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills and abilities in effective counseling services.

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)

The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation and supervision. It consists of 11 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis and treatment. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Exam

The CRC Exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions across 12 subjects underlying rehabilitation counseling. One portion of the exam tests knowledge regarding counseling, while the other pertains to rehabilitation and disability issues. It is administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

Jurisprudence Exam

The Jurisprudence Exam is a no-fail test on the laws impacting the counseling profession. It reflects any legislative changes as well as statutes that have been referenced in ethical complaints processed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. It is administered online by the Center for Credentialing & Education.

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LCMHCs in North Carolina can expect to pay the following fees for their license application, renewal and examination:

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North Carolina LCMHC licenses expire on June 30 two years after being issued. License renewal requires completion of the renewal form, Ethics Attestation Statement and Professional Disclosure Statement, Jurisprudence Exam certificate of completion, and payment of the $200 renewal fee. Continuing education hours must also be obtained, although documentation is not required for the renewal application.

LCMHCs in North Carolina are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period. For new licensees with a renewal term of less than two full years, only 30 hours are required. A minimum of three CE hours must be in ethics, although the mandatory Jurisprudence Exam accounts for five hours of ethics CE. One CE Unit is equivalent to 10 CE hours, and one semester hour of credit is equal to 15 CE hours.

Approved providers of CE include the American Counseling Association, American Association of State Counseling Boards, National Board for Certified Counselors and Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Activities sponsored by the following organizations may also count towards CE, although any one cannot provide more than 15 hours each renewal term:

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For Counselors Licensed in Other States

The North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors has an alternative route to licensure for counselors who have already earned their licenses in other parts of the United States. This process is called “licensure by endorsement”. Out-of-state applicants must provide proof of a minimum of five years of full-time or eight years of part-time counseling experience (within the past 10 years), have at least 2,500 hours of direct client contact, have a full license that does not require supervision, and be compliant with any other licensure rules for LCMHC.

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North Carolina counselors can expect to earn the following average hourly and average annual wages, according to May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

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The following scholarships and loan repayment programs are available to LCMHCs in North Carolina:

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*Licensure information, including requirements, salaries, renewals, scholarships, and fees, was retrieved as of October 2025. Information may have changed since then; check with the state’s board of licensing for more details.

Information Last Updated: October 2025