Licensed Professional Counselor / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides mental health counseling and therapy services.

What the North Carolina data shows for Licensed Professional Counselors

To practice as a licensed professional counselor in North Carolina, the state licensing board requires 2,946 documented education or training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and 2 years of supervised work experience. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under North Carolina's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in Counseling".

Upfront cost is $145, with renewal running $122 on a 2-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 30 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Counseling Compact: 40+ states.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
Licensed Professional Counselor · North Carolina

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,946 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$145
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$61/yr
$122 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
15.0 hrs/yr
30 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in Counseling
2,946 hours
Exam Requirement
NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE
Required
Initial License Fee
$145
Renewal Fee
$122
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
30 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Licensed Professional Counselor All North Carolina licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina? ▼
In North Carolina, the license path calls for 2946 education/training hours, a passing score on NCE (National Counselor Exam) or NCMHCE, and a $145 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina licenses licensed professional counselors who complete its requirements (2946 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Carolina licensing board.
Can I transfer my Licensed Professional Counselor license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for licensed professional counselors: Counseling Compact: 40+ states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the North Carolina licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Licensed Professional Counselor licensing? ▼
Yes, North Carolina requires a criminal background check as part of the licensed professional counselor licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina ties continued licensed professional counselor licensure to 30 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $122 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this licensed professional counselor license

Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a licensed professional counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the North Carolina licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.