Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (professional counselor) · North Carolina · regulated by North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC) · high confidence
| Pre-license credential | LCMHCA (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate) |
|---|---|
| Supervised experience | a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical mental health practice |
| Direct client contact | 2000 hours of direct counseling experience |
| Supervision | at least 100 hours of clinical supervision; no less than three-quarters individual |
| Weekly cap | no more than 40 hours per week |
| Exams | NCE, NCMHCE or CRC exam (for LCMHCA); no-fail jurisprudence exam at each level |
Supervision
- How much: at least 100 hours of clinical supervision; no less than three-quarters individual
- How often: one hour individual or two hours group per 40 hours of supervised practice
- Group supervision: ≤25% of supervision hours; group ≤12 supervisees; 2 hours group = 1 hour individual
- Who may supervise: LCMHCS, or LCMHC/equivalent licensee with 5 yrs post-grad experience (2 post-licensure) and 3 credits or 45 CE hours in supervision
When hours count and what to keep
- Before your degree: not counted: 'No hours applied from Master Level Practicum/Internship'
- Paperwork: Board-approved supervision contract before practice; quarterly supervision reports; final supervision report
Can you be supervised remotely in North Carolina?
Yes. Required supervision can be done entirely by live video, with no in-person minimum.
- Video supervision: Individual (1-2 supervisees) and group (≤12) supervision must be 'face-to-face', defined as live, interactive and visual; synchronous video with verbal and visual interaction is permitted (21 NCAC 53 .0212). No cap on video share.
- Phone only: not allowed (face-to-face must be visual; video only if verbal and visual interaction)
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in North Carolina? other: qualified clinical supervisor = NC LCMHC/LCMHCS or an 'equivalently and actively licensed' mental health professional (independent license in good standing with 'the respective licensing board'); rule does not say the equivalent license must be NC-issued
- Supervisor credential: Qualified clinical supervisor: LCMHCS credential (Board-granted) or LCMHC/equivalent MHP with 3 graduate credits or 45 CE hours in supervision + 5 yrs post-grad experience (2 post-licensure); equivalent MHPs need 10 supervision CE hours every 2 years submitted to the Board
- Supervisee cap: no overall caseload cap found; individual supervision = 1-2 supervisees per session; group ≤12 supervisees
- Board approval first: LCMHCA may not practice until a supervision contract (supervisor, modality, frequency, name and physical location of site) is submitted; separate contract per work setting and per supervisor; quarterly supervisor reports.
The client’s location decides which state’s rules apply. This is not legal advice; confirm with the board before building a program. Compare every state on the remote-supervision map.
Recent and pending changes
Since 2024-01-31 the Board will not retroactively approve supervision contracts or hours earned without an approved contract. LCMHCA applicants from 2025-07-01 need a CACREP-accredited 60-semester-hour degree (21 NCAC 53 .0701(2)).
Where the rules are unclear
North Carolina’s own documents disagree or are silent on these points. Ask the board if they affect you:
- May an 'equivalently and actively licensed' supervisor hold only an out-of-state license?
- For remote supervision, what 'physical location of the site' goes on the contract — associate's site, supervisor's, or both?
In the board’s own words
“Has completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical mental health practice as determined by the Board.” — N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-336(c)✓ matched in the source
“At least 100 hours of clinical supervision ... shall be documented during the 3000 hours” — 21 NCAC 53 .0205(a)✓ matched in the source
“a minimum of one hour of individual or two hours of group clinical supervision per 40 hours of supervised professional counseling practice” — 21 NCAC 53 .0208✓ matched in the source
“Experience shall be gained at a rate of no more than 40 hours per week.” — 21 NCAC 53 .0205(a)✓ matched in the source
“Video supervision is permitted as long as the session is synchronous and involves verbal and visual interaction” — 21 NCAC 53 .0212✓ matched in the source
“Video supervision is permitted as long as the session is synchronous and involves verbal and visual interaction during the supervision.” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
“"Face-to-face" clinical supervision means supervision that is live, interactive, and visual.” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
“an independent license that is not under supervision and is in good standing with the respective licensing board” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
“all qualified clinical supervisors shall hold the credential of licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor or be a licensed clinical mental health counselor” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
“groups of supervisees, not to exceed 12 supervisees per group, and a qualified clinical supervisor” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
“A licensed clinical mental health counselor associate shall not practice unless the following requirements have been met:” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
“the name and physical location of the site where the proposed supervision will take place.” — 21 NCAC 53 (.0208-.0212, .0702, .0801)✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in North Carolina
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- Psychologist
- All North Carolina licenses · every state
Sources
- N.C. Gen. Stat. §90-336(c)
- 21 NCAC 53 .0205 Counseling Experience (Board rules PDF)
- NCBLCMHC, LCMHC application page
- NCBLCMHC, LCMHCA page
- NCBLCMHC home page (announcement)
Checked against North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC)’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.