NC

North Carolina Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #26 of 51 Medium Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,262
Avg Education Hours
$131
Avg Initial Fee
48.5
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 4,892 Yes $278 $234 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 1,946 Yes $139 $117 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 5,784 Yes $128 $103 1 yr
Elevator Installer 5,784 Yes $184 $161 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $265 $220 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 3,784 Yes $103 $81 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 18 Yes $103 $92 3 yrs
Plumber 5,784 Yes $150 $128 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,223 Yes $91 $50 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,268 Yes $102 $54 2 yrs
Electrologist 557 Yes $103 $81 2 yrs
Esthetician 590 Yes $87 $47 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 629 Yes $111 $61 2 yrs
Nail Technician 395 Yes $79 $42 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — Yes $184 $139 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $220 $175 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 54 No $103 $81 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $131 $86 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $153 $109 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $131 $86 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $265 $220 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $251 $206 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 47 Yes $123 $100 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $351 $240 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server — No $50 — 2 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification — No $50 — 2 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 2,946 Yes $139 $117 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 2,946 Yes $198 $117 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 156 Yes $92 $81 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,223 Yes $131 $95 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,446 Yes $175 $153 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,446 Yes $265 $220 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,557 Yes $139 $117 2 yrs
Pharmacist 4,669 Yes $211 $189 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,446 Yes $198 $175 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 3,669 Yes $234 $211 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 2,112 Yes $139 $117 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $161 $139 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,446 Yes $153 $106 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 1,946 Yes $139 $117 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,446 Yes $198 $153 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 40 No $125 $78 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 2,698 Yes $206 $184 2 yrs
Process Server 18 No $125 $103 2 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,446 Yes $153 $131 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 2,946 Yes $145 $122 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 2,946 Yes $175 $153 2 yrs
Psychologist 5,892 Yes $278 $234 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer 134 Yes $148 $103 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector 111 Yes $206 $161 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 102 Yes $150 $126 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 154 Yes $206 $173 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 18 Yes $78 $56 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 231 Yes $100 $56 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 76 Yes $78 $56 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with North Carolina licensing authorities.

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

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Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial