Psychologist / North Carolina
2026 data North Carolina board official source

North Carolina Psychologist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Diagnoses and treats mental and behavioral disorders. Requires doctoral degree.

What the North Carolina data shows for Psychologists

Becoming a licensed psychologist in North Carolina means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 5,892 training hours, a passing score on EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology), and 2 years of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. North Carolina regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)".

Upfront cost is $278, with renewal running $234 on a 2-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

For psychologists, the reciprocity picture is: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
13/100
Psychologist · 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
5,892 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$278
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$117/yr
$234 every 2 years
Continuing Education F
20.0 hrs/yr
40 hours every 2 years
Experience Required F
2 years
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in North Carolina

Education / Training Hours
Doctoral Degree (PhD or PsyD)
5,892 hours
Exam Requirement
EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology)
Required
Initial License Fee
$278
Renewal Fee
$234
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
40 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
2 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Psychologist 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 Psychologist in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina's requirements cover 5892 hours of education or training, the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology) exam, and an initial fee of $278. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Psychologist in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina licenses psychologists who complete its requirements (5892 education hours, 2 years of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the North Carolina licensing board.
Can I transfer my Psychologist license to North Carolina from another state? ▼
For psychologists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: PSYPACT: 42 participating jurisdictions. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the North Carolina licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does North Carolina require a background check for Psychologist licensing? ▼
Yes, North Carolina requires a criminal background check as part of the psychologist licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Psychologist in North Carolina? ▼
North Carolina ties continued psychologist licensure to 40 continuing-education hours, due every 2 years, alongside a $234 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this psychologist license

Psychologist in North Carolina, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a psychologist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how North Carolina's psychologist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Psychologist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state psychologist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how North Carolina's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. North Carolina overview

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.