Welcome to the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (NCBLPC)

The North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors’ mission under NC GS Article 24 90-329 states that, it is declared to be the public policy of this State that the activities of persons who render counseling services to the public be regulated to insure the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.

We encourage you to review the website to learn more about the professional counselor licensure process in the state of North Carolina.

NCBLPC Board Updates & Hot Topics

The North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors has provisions for persons that are in the military or military spouses in accordance with NC Gen Stat § 93B‐15.1. Although the military does not provide military training or award a military occupational specialty license in professional counseling, if an applicant is a member of the military or military spouse, they may apply for licensure under the following requirements:

A member of the military who is seeking to become licensed as a professional counselor in North Carolina shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Holds a current license to practice professional counseling from another jurisdiction and that jurisdiction's requirements for licensure are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure in North Carolina.

(2) Has engaged in the active practice of the counseling for at least two of the five years preceding the date of the application.

(3) Has not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice counseling in this State at the time the act was committed, as set forth in NC Gen Stat § 90‐340.

(4) Pays any fees required by the NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors in order to be licensed, as set forth in NC Gen Stat § 90‐334(f) and 21 NCAC 53 .0501.

No later than 30 days following the applicant making application, the NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors shall notify the applicant when the applicant's education, licensure and/or experience does not satisfy the requirements for licensure and shall specify the criteria or requirements that the board determined that the applicant failed to meet and the basis for that determination.

A military spouse who is seeking to become licensed as a professional counselor in North Carolina shall meet the following criteria:

(1) Holds a current license to practice professional counseling from another jurisdiction, and that jurisdiction's requirements for licensure are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements for licensure in North Carolina.

(2) Can demonstrate competency in the practice of counseling by having engaged in the active practice of counseling for at least two of the five years preceding the date of the application under this section.

(3) Has not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice counseling in North Carolina at the time the act was committed, as set forth in NC Gen Stat § 90‐340.

(4) Is in good standing and has not been disciplined by the agency which regulates the practice of counseling in any state in which he/she is currently licensed.

(5) Pays any fees required by the NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors in order to be licensed, as set forth in NC Gen Stat § 90‐334(f) and 21 NCAC 53 .0501.

All relevant experience of a military service member in the discharge of official duties or, for a military spouse, all relevant experience, including full‐time and part‐time experience, regardless of whether in a paid or volunteer capacity, shall be credited in the calculation of years of practice in counseling.

Provision of Services via Electronic, Distance Professional Counseling Services, and Supervision
Effective Date: February 2, 2017

In response to inquiries from licensees, supervisors and other interested parties, the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors has confirmed that it has no separate view per se with regard to the provision of services via electronic means as long as a licensee is practicing in a manner consistent with his/her training and experience, is receiving supervision as is appropriate, and the medium for doing so is not an issue. Counselors consider the differences between face-toface and electronic communication (nonverbal and verbal cues) and how these may affect the counseling process. Counselors educate clients on how to prevent and address potential misunderstandings arising from the lack of visual cues and voice intonations when communicating electronically.

The Board considers that the practice of counseling occurs both where the counselor who is providing counseling services is located and where the individuals (clients) who are receiving services are located. In order for an individual to provide counseling services in North Carolina, that individual must be licensed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors or be exempt under the Licensed Professional Counselors Act. On this basis, if an individual licensed in North Carolina renders services electronically to an out-of-state client, it is the responsibility of the counselor to ensure that the counselor is complying with the laws and rules in the other state. Licensees are advised to review the North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselors Act and Section H of the ACA Code of Ethics (2014).

Delivery of clinical services via technology-assisted media such as telephones, use of video, or the internet requires the counselor to be sensitive to various issues. The counselor must consider and address a multitude of issues in the areas of structuring the relationship to include: informed consent, confidentiality, acquiring required signatures on intake forms (consent to treat, release of information, professional disclosure forms, consent to treat minors, consent to tape, etc.), determining the basis for professional judgments, boundaries of competence, computer security, avoiding harm dealing with fees and financial arrangements, and advertising. Other specific challenges include, but are not limited to verifying the identity of the client, determining if the client is a minor, explaining to the clients the procedures for contacting the counselor when he or she is off-line, discussing the possibility of technology failure and alternate means of communication if technology failure occurs, exploring how to cope with potential misunderstandings when visual cues do not exist, identifying an appropriately trained professional who can provide local assistance (including crisis intervention), if needed. It is imperative that when providing services through electronic methods, the client and counselor be knowledgeable regarding emergency services available in the communities where their clients live.

It is necessary for counselors to use encrypted technology. Because changes in technology are constantly evolving, the Board cannot provide advice regarding the specific technology to use. Clients should be informed of the encryption methods used to help ensure the security of communications and be made aware of the potential hazards of unsecured communication on the internet. Also, counselors should inform clients as to whether session data is being preserved and if so, in what manner and for how long. In addition, clients need to be informed regarding the procedures that will be in place in receiving and releasing client information received through the internet and other electronic sources

Licensees are advised to review the following:

NC General Statutes - Chapter 90 Article 24

American Counseling Association (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. (Specifically Section H: Distance Counseling, Technology, and Social Media and F.2.c.).

North Carolina Administrative Code Chapter 53 - Board of Licensed Professional Counselors

Interested in Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor?

NCBLPC licenses Licensed Professional Counselors Associates (LPCAs), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), and Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisors (LPCSs). Unless exempt for licensure under NC GS Article 24 § 90-332.1, any person engaged in the practice of counseling in the state of North Carolina must be actively licensed by the Board.

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Verify a License

Look up, verify and monitor counselor licenses anytime and anywhere. The licensing information on the Board's website comes directly from the Board's licensing records.

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Find a Counselor

Use our counselor search tool to find a counselor’s in your area. NCBLPC’s counselor search lists individuals that are licensed to practice in North Carolina.

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File a Complaint

If you wish to file a complaint against a North Carolina licensed professional counselor, you may do so by submitting the complaint to the Board.

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Welcome to the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (NCBLPC)

NCBLPC Board Updates & Hot Topics

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Interested in Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor?

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For General Mail:	For Overnight and Special Delivery:
PO Box 77819 Greensboro, NC 27417	7D Terrace Way Greensboro, NC 27403

Welcome to the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (NCBLPC)

NCBLPC Board Updates & Hot Topics

2017 Board Calendar

Submission of 2017 License Renewals will be accepted Janurary 1 - June 20. After June 30 a late fee will apply.

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Licensure for Individuals with Military Training and Experience

New Licensure Portal

Website Redesign

2017 Renewals

Distance Counseling Policy

Provision of Services via Electronic, Distance Professional Counseling Services, and SupervisionEffective Date: February 2, 2017

Licensees are advised to review the following:

Interested in Becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor?

Verify a License

Find a Counselor

File a Complaint

Provision of Services via Electronic, Distance Professional Counseling Services, and Supervision
Effective Date: February 2, 2017