North Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating the licensure renewal process for counselors and therapists in North Carolina can be complex, especially when it comes to understanding deadlines and continuing education (CE) requirements.

Whether you’re a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), or a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC), staying up-to-date with licensure obligations is crucial for maintaining your practice and delivering the highest quality of care to clients. This post will break down key licensure renewal dates and the CE requirements you must fulfill to remain compliant with state regulations.

In North Carolina, each professional licensure board sets specific guidelines for renewal timelines, often with distinct requirements based on your licensure category. Missing a renewal deadline or falling short on CE credits can result in penalties, temporary license suspensions, or additional fees. For counselors and therapists, keeping track of these deadlines and staying ahead on your required CE hours ensures that your practice can continue uninterrupted.

In the following sections, we will explore the detailed renewal timelines and the specific continuing education standards that apply to each license type, helping you stay compliant and advance your expertise in the field.

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1) Key North Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal Dates

In North Carolina, credentialing and licensure for counselors and therapists is managed by two key regulatory boards: the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) and the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NCMFTLB).

Each board has specific requirements for credentialing, including educational qualifications, supervised practice, exams, and continuing education (CE). Below is a detailed breakdown of the credentials, licensure renewal details, and associated costs for both Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).

Credentialing Requirements for Counselors and Therapists in North Carolina

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)
The credential for counselors in North Carolina is the Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). To obtain this licensure, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Education: A master’s degree or higher in counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Practice: 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate clinical experience, with at least 100 hours of direct supervision.
- Examination: Passing score on the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
The LMFT credential is for therapists who specialize in marriage and family therapy. Requirements include:
- Education: A master’s degree or higher in marriage and family therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Supervised Practice: 1,500 hours of supervised post-graduate experience, including 200 hours of direct supervision.
- Examination: Passing score on the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

1. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

Renewal Period: Every two years. The deadline is June 30th of the expiration year.
Continuing Education: LCMHCs must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period. At least 3 hours must focus on ethics.
Renewal Fee: $200
Late Fee: If renewal is late, there is an additional fee of $75.

LCMHCs must renew their licenses via the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors’ online portal before June 30th of the expiration year.

2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Renewal Period: Every two years. The deadline is June 30th of the expiration year.
Continuing Education: LMFTs are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education for each renewal period, including 3 hours in ethics.
Renewal Fee: $150
Late Fee: If the license is not renewed on time, a late fee of $75 is assessed.

LMFTs must renew their licenses through the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board’s online system before June 30th of the expiration year.

Fees for Specific Licenses

LCMHC Application Fee: $238 (includes application and initial licensure fee)
LMFT Application Fee: $200
LCMHC Exam Fee: $275 for the NCE or NCMHCE.
LMFT Exam Fee: $355 for the AMFTRB exam.
LCMHC Provisional License Fee (LCMHCA): $200 (for associate-level counselors who have not yet completed supervised practice requirements)

Continuing Education Providers and Guidelines

Continuing education hours can be obtained through workshops, seminars, online courses, and other relevant activities. Approved providers include nationally recognized organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and others that meet the board’s criteria. The ethics component must be completed as part of the overall CE requirement to ensure compliance with professional standards.

Sources:

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2) North Carolina Counselor and Therapist Continuing Education Requirements

In North Carolina, continuing education (CE) is a critical component of licensure renewal for both Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs).

The state requires counselors and therapists to stay current with professional standards and practices through ongoing educational activities. These requirements are regulated by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) for counselors and the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NCMFTLB) for therapists.

Continuing Education Requirements for LCMHCs

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) in North Carolina must fulfill the following continuing education requirements:

Total CE Hours: LCMHCs are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education during each two-year licensure renewal period.
Ethics Requirement: Of the 40 CE hours, at least 3 hours must be focused on ethics, ensuring counselors remain up to date on ethical standards and practices in the profession.
Acceptable Activities: Continuing education hours can be earned through various activities, including:
- Workshops, conferences, or seminars related to counseling.
- Online or in-person courses offered by approved providers such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Counseling Association (ACA).
- Teaching or presenting relevant professional content (with limits on how many hours can be earned this way).
Documentation: LCMHCs must keep records of their completed CE activities, including certificates of completion, syllabi, or transcripts. The NCBLCMHC conducts random audits to verify compliance with CE requirements.

Continuing Education Requirements for LMFTs

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in North Carolina must meet the following continuing education standards:

Total CE Hours: LMFTs are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years.
Ethics Requirement: As with counselors, 3 hours must be dedicated to ethics training.
Acceptable Activities: LMFTs can meet their CE requirements through:
- Professional workshops, seminars, or training sessions specifically related to marriage and family therapy.
- Continuing education courses, both in-person and online, provided by recognized organizations such as the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) or other board-approved CE providers.
- Teaching, presenting, or authoring relevant professional content, with limitations on how many hours can be earned through these methods.
Documentation: LMFTs are required to maintain detailed records of their continuing education activities, including certificates and other verification documents, to provide proof of compliance in case of an audit by the board.

Approved CE Providers and Formats

Both LCMHCs and LMFTs must complete their CE through board-approved providers or programs. The boards accept continuing education credits from:

Nationally recognized professional organizations, such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Academic coursework from regionally accredited institutions.
Workshops, seminars, and webinars directly related to counseling and therapy, as long as the provider is approved by the relevant licensure board.

Additional Continuing Education Guidelines

Self-Study Limitations: For LCMHCs, a maximum of 15 hours of the total 40 CE hours can come from self-study activities, such as online courses that do not include real-time interaction. For LMFTs, the limit on self-study is often similarly restricted, depending on the specific program format.
Carrying Over Hours: North Carolina does not allow counselors or therapists to carry over CE hours from one renewal period to the next, meaning all required hours must be completed within each two-year cycle.
Audit Process: Both boards may conduct random audits of CE records. Practitioners must provide documentation such as certificates, transcripts, or course descriptions to prove that they have met the required number of hours.

Importance of Staying Compliant

Failing to meet the CE requirements can result in penalties, delayed renewal, or even the suspension of a license. Both LCMHCs and LMFTs should track their CE progress throughout the renewal period and ensure they have met the necessary requirements well before the renewal deadline.

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3) FAQs – North Carolina Counselor and Therapist Licensure Renewal and CEUs

Q: What happens if I don’t meet the continuing education requirements before my license renewal deadline?

A: If you fail to complete the required continuing education (CE) hours before your renewal deadline, your license may not be renewed, which could result in a temporary suspension of your ability to practice.

For Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs), failing to meet the requirements can lead to a lapse in licensure until the necessary CE hours are completed and you pay a late renewal fee. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) may also face similar consequences, including late fees and a hold on their licensure renewal. To avoid these penalties, it’s important to track your CE hours and complete them within each two-year renewal period.

Q: Can I complete my continuing education (CE) hours through online courses?

A: Yes, both LCMHCs and LMFTs in North Carolina can complete CE hours through online courses as long as the courses are provided by approved organizations such as the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) or the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

However, LCMHCs are limited to a maximum of 15 hours of self-study (non-interactive) online CE courses, while LMFTs must follow similar guidelines, depending on the course format. To fully meet the requirements, it’s important to ensure that your online CE courses are interactive or approved by the board.

Q: Do I need to submit proof of my continuing education hours when renewing my license?

A: You are not required to submit proof of your CE hours when renewing your license initially. However, both the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) and the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NCMFTLB) conduct random audits, where you may be asked to provide documentation of your CE activities.

This includes certificates of completion, transcripts, or other verifiable documentation. It is recommended that you keep these records for several years after your renewal period in case you are selected for an audit.

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4) Conclusion

Staying on top of licensure renewal and continuing education requirements is essential for counselors and therapists practicing in North Carolina. By adhering to the guidelines set by the respective boards, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) can ensure their professional growth while maintaining the legal right to practice.

Timely renewal and completion of continuing education hours will save you from the stress of late fees, audits, or potential interruptions to your practice. By planning ahead and keeping detailed records of your CE activities, you can seamlessly navigate the renewal process every two years. Choosing from a range of approved CE providers also gives you the flexibility to tailor your learning experiences, whether through in-person seminars or online courses that fit your schedule.

Resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education provide accessible and varied learning opportunities for Counselors and Therapists to meet Continuing Education requirements. Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education.

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About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workersfor more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Counselors, Therapists, and Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment