Counseling Degrees & Licenses in North Carolina
Counseling Schools Search
When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“My advice to prospective students is to fully understand the commitment required to succeed in your master’s program. This commitment goes beyond class time, exams, and presentations. Be intentional in your preparation, regularly audit your feelings, breathe, stay consistent, and always hold yourself accountable.”
Kevin Moragne, MS, LCMHC, NCC
Any person who works as a counselor in North Carolina must be actively licensed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. This board licenses three levels of counselors: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors Associates (LCMHCAs), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs), and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisors (LCMHCSs). North Carolina has reciprocity agreements with South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky, so active licensed counselors in those states can apply for LCMHC License, but licensed professional counselors in other states need to apply for the North Carolina endorsement.
The lowest tier of licensure, the LCMHCAs, requires supervision of the licensees’ practice. The LCMHCA license is a prerequisite for the LCMHC license for new graduates and/or new counseling professionals. The middle tier, LCMHC, does not require supervision, and only the highest tier, LCMHCSs, can provide supervision to others. To renew a counseling license, North Carolina requires 40 clock hours of continuing counselor education.
Counseling degree graduates will find the best job prospects if they attend a counseling degree master’s program from an accredited program and/or institution. The standard for accrediting all types of counseling education programs within institutions is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accredits schools in the fields of addiction counseling, career counseling, clinical mental health counseling, marriage, couple, and family counseling, school counseling, and student affairs and college counseling.
Those pursuing school or guidance counseling degrees should seek out programs accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). NASP standards are the basis of accreditation of a graduate school psychology program. Marriage and family therapy counseling programs have a different set of accrediting standards which are set by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) and the International Accreditation Commission for Systemic Therapy Education (IACSTE) through the International Family Therapy Association (IFTA).
Working as a counselor in North Carolina meets a dire need for improved access to mental health services. According to NAMI NC, or the National Alliance for Mental Health in North Carolina, the state has experienced years of substantial cuts in state funding for mental health services. NAMI NC is working to secure funding for long-term goals of improving the mental health of the state’s prison population, as well as helping youthful offenders get their lives back on track.
The group also recognizes a need for better mental health education for adolescents in North Carolina public schools, including suicide prevention. Working as a licensed counselor in North Carolina can lead to a satisfying and rewarding career where a caring person can truly make a difference.
Read on for a few of the many schools offering programs for counseling degrees and licenses in North Carolina.
Meet the Expert: Kevin Moragne, MS, LCMHC, NCC
Kevin Moragne is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with a robust academic and professional background. He earned his bachelor of arts in psychology and African American studies from Guilford College. Driven by a passion for mental health and community service, Moragne furthered his education with an MS in clinical mental health counseling from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
With extensive experience in various clinical settings, Moragne currently serves as an LCMHC at Agape Psychological Consortium, supervising interns. He also provides counseling services through Headway and runs his private practice, New Sun Counseling. His diverse roles highlight his dedication to supporting clients’ mental well-being and fostering growth within counseling.
CounselingSchools.com: How has graduating with a master’s in counseling enhanced your career?
Moragne: Graduating with a master’s in counseling has enhanced my career and transformed my life, allowing me to embark on a second career. After spending over 20 years in the fabrication industry, I returned to school as a non-traditional student to pursue this new path. This degree has enabled me to leverage my expertise within my community and beyond, touching various cultures and populations while addressing diverse mental health concerns.
I have had the privilege of working both as a contractor and independently, collaborating with some of the area’s top psychologists, counselors, social workers, and psychiatrists. Recently, I was honored to be invited to serve on the Advisory Board for the Department of Counseling at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. One of my greatest pleasures has been as a site supervisor at Agape Psychological Consortium, where I can mentor intern students from my alma mater. Aggie Pride!
CounselingSchools.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective master’s in counseling student?
Moragne: My advice to prospective students is to fully understand the commitment required to succeed in your master’s program. This commitment goes beyond class time, exams, and presentations. Be intentional in your preparation, regularly audit your feelings, breathe, stay consistent, and always hold yourself accountable. Start searching for internships early and familiarize yourself with NCBLCMHC. Lastly, begin preparing for the Comprehensive Exam and NCE well in advance.
Ask an Expert: J. Scott Young, PhD
Dr. J. Scott Young is a professor and Dean’s Fellow of Innovation in the Department of Counseling and Educational Development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Dr. Young’s education includes a PhD in counseling and counselor education from UNC Greensboro along with a master’s in education in counseling from UNC Greensboro. He also has a BS in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His research and publications topics include clinical mental health counseling, spirituality and religion in counseling, clinical supervision, and group counseling.
CounselingSchools.com: What drew you to a career in counseling and to this program specifically?
Dr. Young: What happened for me specifically is that I didn’t really know what I wanted to do as an undergrad, so I did a degree in business administration. Then I went out and got a job in sales and realized that was not what I wanted to be doing. And although I’d never considered it, I’ve always enjoyed courses that involve work on people, like sociology, anthropology, and psychology, but I never thought about those as careers.
In my early 20s, I started seeing this really great therapist and it sort of opened me up to what was possible in the field. And through that experience, I started exploring helping professions. And I remember, that I didn’t really understand the difference between a psychologist, social work, counseling, and different things like that at the time. But the more I looked into it, counseling seemed like it gave me a lot of flexibility in terms of what you could do with it in terms of working with different populations. And there were programs near me that I could get to and that were available, so the access was there.
Then, once I started a master’s program, I realized it was the perfect fit for me. And that led me to go on and do the doctoral program later.
CounselingSchools.com: What sets the program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro apart from others in the counseling education field?
Dr. Young: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where I teach, has been highly ranked for many years, which means that we attract top-quality students and high-quality faculty. We attract people who are interested in research, who are interested in being innovators and leaders in the field, both on the student side and the faculty side. So that synergy really makes for some great learning as well as great research and other possibilities.
Early on in the development of this program, the department chair was tasked with trying to raise the profile of the program. And they very intentionally encouraged faculty in our department to run for key offices in our discipline, to really focus on high-quality research and attract really high-quality students. So they invested in the program to build its reputation early on and very intentionally.
Once that was built, we’ve all worked very hard to maintain that. All of that together makes it a really special place that people want to be.
Accredited Counseling Degree Programs in North Carolina
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University- Department of Counseling
North Carolina A&T is the largest historically Black university in the country and the number one awarder of degrees awarded to African Americans in North Carolina. The school is nationally recognized for its excellence in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering education.
The school’s master of science in mental health counseling offers a focus on clinical mental health counseling, or rehabilitation mental health counseling, or school counseling studies.
North Carolina A&T’s master’s program offers high-caliber evening classes, providing flexibility for students seeking a professional career in elementary or secondary school counseling. The university is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
- Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
- Duration: Two years; 60 credits
- Accreditation: The clinical counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); the rehabilitation and school counseling programs are accredited by CACREP
Appalachian State University – Reich College of Education
Appalachian State University has three tracks for counseling degrees: master of arts degrees in clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), marriage and family therapy, higher education, student affairs administation, and a professional c(K-12) school counseling master of arts. Three graduate certificates are available: Addiction Counseling, College and University Teaching, and Expressive Arts Therapy.
The school counseling program here is one of only six in North Carolina that is accredited by CACREP. Appalachian prides itself on offering one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year and enrolling approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist, and doctorate programs. At least one Reich College of Education graduate works in every county in North Carolina.
- Location: Boone, North Carolina
- Duration: The CMHC and school counseling degrees are 60 hours; the MFT degree is 51 hours
- Accreditation: The MFT program is accredited by COAMFTE and IFTA; the CMHC program and school counseling programs are accredited by CACREP
East Carolina University – College of Allied Health Sciences and College of Education
East Carolina University offers a master of science in school counseling, an MS in clinical counseling with an emphasis in addictions, and an MS in rehabilitation counseling. The master’s program in counselor education satisfies the educational requirements for eligibility for the National Counselor’s Examination (NCE) and to apply for a license with the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).
East Carolina’s College of Allied Health Sciences is the largest university-based allied health provider in the state of North Carolina. Two programs, rehabilitation and career counseling and clinical counseling, are also offered completely online.
- Location: Greenville, North Carolina
- Duration: All programs are 62 credits
- Accreditation: All programs are CACREP-accredited
North Carolina Central University – School of Education
North Carolina Central University, a state-supported, public, historically Black university. The School of Education offers three master of arts degree programs related to counseling: career counseling, clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), and school counseling. The School of Education offers two other master of arts degrees: Educational Technology and Instructional Design.
All degree programs are available as online or in-person programs, and both formats are CACREP accredited. In fact, NCCU is the first CACREP-accredited online career counseling program in the United States. The CMHC program prepares students to take North Carolina licensure exams for initial licensure. With three additional addiction courses, students also meet the addiction-specific course requirements to apply as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. The school counseling program provides students with all the experiences required by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for licensure as a professional school counselor in North Carolina.
- Location: Durham, North Carolina / Online
- Duration: All degrees are 60 credits
- Accreditation: All programs are accredited by CACREP
North Carolina State University – College of Education
North Carolina State offers online, off-campus, and on-campus programs for graduate students. The master of education counseling programs are 100 percent online and include clinical mental health, school counseling, and college counseling and student development. The school counseling degree can be completed on-campus or online in as little as two years. Coursework includes a 100-hour practicum and 600 internship hours. The CMHC degree takes at least two-and-a-half years to complete if full-time, with one internship in the fall and another in the spring.
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina / Online
- Duration: Two years for the school counseling program; two-and-a-half to three years for the clinical mental health counseling program
- Accreditation: Both programs are accredited by CACREP
University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Cato College of Education
UNC at Charlotte’s master of arts in counseling has three concentrations: addiction counseling, school counseling, and clinical mental health counseling. The addiction specialization prepares students to work effectively in various treatment settings and with a variety of addictive behaviors. The school counseling concentration prepares students to be effective educational leaders in K-12 grades in both public and private schools.
The clinical mental health counseling concentration prepares students to provide various counseling services to all age groups and family units. Students can add on a concentration in play therapy to each of these areas. Students can also complete a graduate certificate in antiracism or gerontology while completing their degree in any of these areas. The program can be completed in two years if full-time courses are begun in the summer.
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: All programs are accredited by CACREP
University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Department of Counseling and Educational Development
UNC Greensboro’s counseling and education department has been consistently recognized as a top graduate education program by the U.S. News and World Report, ranking in the Top 10 list for more than two decades. The department is also considered one of the top graduate programs for counseling within the state of North Carolina.
The UNC Greensboro’s marriage master of science counseling program offers a couple and family counseling concentration meant to prepare graduates to serve as couple and family counselors and work with individuals through a systems approach in various counseling settings. This program takes place on the UNCG main campus, with courses offered predominantly during the day.
The couple and family counseling program students enjoy specialized classes with opportunities to develop couple and family counseling skills. Beginning in the first semester, students engage with hands-on practicum experiences in nearly every content class while engaging in material helping to better understand the systems perspective. The program includes courses such as counseling diverse populations, trauma and crisis counseling, and diagnosis and treatment planning in counseling.
- Location: Greensboro, NC
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Wake Forest University – Department of Counseling
Wake Forest University is a private research university founded in 1834. Its original location was in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh. The Department of Counseling offers a master of arts in counseling with concentrations in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling (CMHC). The school counseling and clinical mental health programs are also available in part-time and online formats.
They also offer a dual degree in master of arts in divinity and master of arts in counseling which can be completed in four years instead of the usual five. This combined program is for graduates who want to enter the ministry as counselors (all classes in this dual program are offered on the Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University).
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: The school counseling and clinical mental health programs are accredited by CACREP. The online programs are also certified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Winston-Salem State University – School of Health Sciences
Winston-Salem State University is a historically Black public university founded in 1892. In 2023, Winston-Salem State University was ranked as one of the Best Colleges in America for the seventh year in row by Money magazine. The Department of Rehabilitation offers both a bachelor of science in rehabilitation studies and a master of science in rehabilitation counseling (MSRC). Undergraduate students can choose concentration areas in addictions, deaf studies, rehabilitation studies, special education, and rehabilitation services honors.
Graduate students can choose from five concentration areas: rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, deaf and hard of hearing, transition, and vocational evaluation. The master’s program prepares students to sit for the national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination. Candidates may also pursue the state Professional Counselor licensure (LPC). The MSRC Program is offered in an online learning format.
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina / Online
- Duration: 60 credits
- Accreditation: CACRE
How Much Do Counselors Make in North Carolina?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of July 2024.
Marriage and Family Therapists
| United States | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 63,340 | 900 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $68,730 | $53,120 |
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $44,940 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,510 | $49,410 |
| 90th percentile | $104,710 | $64,840 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
| United States | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 397,880 | 9,980 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,080 | $56,510 |
| 10th percentile | $36,700 | $37,000 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,710 | $51,790 |
| 90th percentile | $89,920 | $79,440 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
| United States | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 327,660 | 9,190 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $66,990 | $53,320 |
| 10th percentile | $40,140 | $35,620 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,710 | $51,920 |
| 90th percentile | $100,050 | $70,920 |
Rehabilitation Counselors
| United States | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 84,750 | 2,580 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $48,430 | $42,520 |
| 10th percentile | $31,390 | $27,370 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,040 | $42,750 |
| 90th percentile | $73,710 | $57,690 |
All Other Counselors
| United States | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 35,580 | 500 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $52,360 | $50,880 |
| 10th percentile | $33,330 | $29,860 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,130 | $50,070 |
| 90th percentile | $79,880 | $72,330 |
Counseling Professional Associations & Resources in North Carolina
- North Carolina Mental Health Counselors Association
- North Carolina Counseling Association
- North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) (Formally NC Board of Licensed Professional Counselors)
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- Licensed Clinical Counselors of North Carolina
- The North Carolina School Counselor Association (NCSCA)
- Carolinas Counseling Group
- North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- The North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board
- Addiction Professionals of North Carolina
Mental Health Counseling (LMHC) Licenses in North Carolina: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) | Mental health counselors in North Carolina are either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or To earn an LPCA license, candidates must:
To earn the LPC licensure, candidates must complete the above requirements in addition to:
No more than 40 hours may be earned per week. Also, 100 hours must direct supervision and 75 of those must be individual. There must be one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of direct counseling. |
Renewals for LPCs and LPCAs happen every two years in North Carolina and may be completed online. Renewals cost $200 and must be accompanied by a Continuing Counselor Education Attestation form that verifies 40 contact hours of continuing counselor education. Three of those hours must be in ethics. Each renewal cycle counselors must retake and pass the North Carolina jurisprudence exam. |
School Counseling Licenses in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Department of Public Instruction |
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction issues the Professional Educator’s License School Counselor. The requirements for an initial license are:
School counselors are required to hold a valid state professional educator’s license. An initial license may be converted to a Continuing Professional License after three years of full-time work experience. |
Continuing Professional Licenses issued to school counselors in North Carolina are valid for five years. Renewals are completed online. School counselors are also required to complete eight renewal credits per cycle. One credit is equivalent to 10 hours. |
Substance Abuse Counseling Licenses in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) | Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) are the certification and license issued by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB). CADCs can initially apply to be CADC Interns. Intern certification candidates must:
To be certified as a full CADC, applicants must meet the intern requirements, as well as:
Most LCAS applicants must first earn an Associate LCAS license. Applicants who already have a CADC or have graduated from a pre-approved master’s program are exempt. Associate LCAS license candidates must:
For a full LCAS license, candidates must:
|
The NCSAPPB requires counselors to renew their certificate or license every two years. The fee to renew is $150. CADCs must complete 60 hours of continuing education and LCASs must complete 40 hours. These hours must include three hours in HIV/AIDS, three hours in ethics, and three hours in special topics. |
Rehabilitation Counseling Licenses in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) | Rehabilitation counselors in North Carolina are either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Professional Counselor Associates (LPCA). To earn an LPCA license, candidates must:
To earn the LPC licensure, candidates must complete the above requirements in addition to:
No more than 40 hours may be earned per week. Also, 100 hours must direct supervision and 75 of those must be individual. There must be one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of direct counseling. |
Renewals for LPCs and LPCAs happen every two years in North Carolina and may be completed online. Renewals cost $200 and must be accompanied by a Continuing Counselor Education Attestation form that verifies 40 contact hours of continuing counselor education. Three of those hours must be in ethics. |
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Licenses in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board | Behavior analysts in North Carolina are licensed by the North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board. Requirements to apply include:
| Renewals for ABAs in North Carolina are due every two years and cost $200. To renew candidates must submit a completed application as well as proof that they have complete the BCBA continuing education requirements. |
Marriage and Family Therapy Licenses in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Marriage & Family Therapy Licensure Board |
The North Carolina Marriage & Family Therapy Licensure Board issues Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate (LMFTA) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credentials. Requirements for an LMFTA license are:
LMFT license applicants must meet LMFTA license requirements, as well as:
|
LMFT licenses in North Carolina must be renewed annually. The fee to renew is $100. Applicants for renewal must complete 20 hours of continuing education, of which three hours must be in ethics. |
Child (Pediatric) Behavioral Therapy Licenses in North Carolina
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) | Child therapists in North Carolina are either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Professional Counselor Associates (LPCA). To earn an LPCA license, candidates must:
To earn the LPC licensure, candidates must complete the above requirements in addition to:
No more than 40 hours may be earned per week. Also, 100 hours must direct supervision and 75 of those must be individual. There must be one hour of supervision for every 40 hours of direct counseling. | Renewals for LPCs and LPCAs happen every two years in North Carolina and may be completed online. Renewals cost $200 and must be accompanied by a Continuing Counselor Education Attestation form that verifies 40 contact hours of continuing counselor education. Three of those hours must be in ethics. |
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has used her expertise in education and mindfulness to guide aspiring counselors since 2020. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating reflective mindfulness into counseling techniques, helping readers understand how mental and physical well-being can enhance their professional practice and personal development in counseling.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.