North Carolina LCMHC Licensure Requirements & Counseling Exam (NC)
Everything you need to become a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina, including the NCMHCE exam requirement, supervised hours, fees, and renewal rules — verified against the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors.
North Carolina key fact: North Carolina renamed its license from LPC to LCMHC in 2019. Associates (LCMHCA) must pass the national exam before starting supervised practice.
LCMHC Requirements at a Glance
| Licensing board | North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors |
|---|---|
| Required exam | NCE or NCMHCE |
| Education | 60-semester-hour master's in counseling, CACREP-accredited or meeting board content requirements. |
| Supervised hours | 3,000 hours of supervised professional practice as an LCMHCA (associate), including at least 2,250 direct client hours. |
| Application fees | Board application and license fees plus the NBCC exam fee — check the board's current fee schedule. |
| Renewal cycle | Biennial |
| Continuing education | 40 CE hours per renewal, including ethics hours. |
| Reciprocity / endorsement | Licensure by endorsement available; North Carolina participates in the Counseling Compact. |
Always verify with the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors before applying — requirements change.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your LCMHC in North Carolina
- Finish a qualifying master's program (60-semester-hour master's in counseling, cacrep-accredited or meeting board content requirements.)
- Apply for the pre-license / associate credential and begin accruing supervised hours
- Complete 3 of supervised clinical experience under a board-approved supervisor
- Apply to sit for the required national exam (NCE or NCMHCE) through NBCC, then schedule with Pearson VUE
- Pass the national exam (and any North Carolina-specific exam noted above)
- Submit your full licensure application with transcripts, supervision verifications, and the exam score report
- Maintain your license with 40 ce hours per renewal per renewal cycle
Prep for the North Carolina NCMHCE
The NCMHCE is the same exam in every state — what changes is the supervised hours and paperwork around it. Our prep gives you unlimited AI-generated case simulations in the exact NBCC format, so when you sit for the exam in North Carolina, you've already done dozens of full-length cases across every clinical domain.