North Carolina counseling license requirements

We've listed some of the most common questions and answers for North Carolina counseling continuing education.

How many CE Credits does North Carolina require for counselors?

• Professionals licensed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors:

  • LCMHCA, LCMHC, LCMHCS: 40 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire on 6/30 biennially.

• Professionals licensed by the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Board:

  • LMFT, LMFTA: 20 hours every 2 years. Licenses expire on 7/1 annually.

• Professionals with credentials from the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board:

  • CADC, CPS, CCJP: 60 hours every 2 years.
  • LCAS: 40 hours every 2 years.
  • CCS: 15 hours every 2 years.

Can I take my continuing education through Continued Counseling?

• Licensed Mental Health Counselors: Yes. For professionals licensed through the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, the Board accepts courses by NBCC approved providers. Continued has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7484. Find courses offered for NBCC credit.

• Marriage & Family Therapists: Yes. Courses on Continued can be used toward the continuing education requirements for professionals licensed by the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Board.

• Addiction Counselors: Yes. The North Carolina Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board accepts courses from NAADAC approved providers. Continued is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, #283836. Find courses approved by NAADAC.

Licensees are responsible for completing courses that align with the content requirements for their specific license.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors:

• LCMHCA, LCMHC, LCMHCS:

  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that may be obtained online.
  • 3 hours in ethics must be obtained each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
  • Licensees who are supervisors must obtain 10 hours of supervision each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the supervision course requirement.

Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors:

• LMFT, LMFTA:

  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that may be obtained online.
  • 3 hours in ethics must be obtained each renewal. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.

Addiction Counselors:

• LCAS, CADC, CPS, CCJP:

  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
  • 3 hours of ethics each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the ethics course requirement.
  • 3 hours of HIV/AIDS each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the HIV/AIDS course requirement.
  • 3 hours of special topics each renewal period. Special Topics: Nicotine Dependence, Substance Abuse and Veterans, Substance Abuse and the Elderly, Psychopathology, and/or Evidence Based Treatment Approaches. Search our course library for relevant content.

• CCS:

  • There is no limit to the number of continuing education hours that can be completed online.
  • 15 hours of clinical supervision or 12 core function training each renewal period. Continued offers courses that may meet the supervision course requirement.

CE Broker Reporting:

• Proof of required CE must be electronically submitted directly to CE Broker. Continued will report course completions to CE Broker for approved courses. You may also self-report to CE Broker. The Continued provider number for CE Broker is 50-29950.