Licensed Psychologist · North Carolina · regulated by North Carolina Psychology Board · high confidence
| Degree | Doctoral degree in psychology; APA/CPA-accredited at graduation or meeting 21 NCAC 54 .1803 criteria (60 sem. h, residency, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Internship | One of the two years may be predoctoral; the training year must be ≥1,500 h within 24 months (APA-accredited internships deemed to meet it) |
| Supervised experience | 2 years / at least 3,000 hours supervised practice; ≥1 calendar year (≥1,500 h) postdoctoral |
| Pre-doctoral hours | One year (≥1,500 h) may be predoctoral if it meets .2009(h) training-program criteria; practicum not addressed |
| Postdoc required? | Yes |
| Postdoc hours | At least 1,500 hours over a minimum of 1 calendar year, completed within a consecutive 4-year period |
| Credential during the postdoc | Provisional license (Licensed Psychologist-Provisional, with HSP-PP certification), or exempt postdoctoral trainee under 21 NCAC 54 .1611 |
| Exams | EPPP (scaled 500 for psychologist) + Board-developed State Examination (78%); no oral exam in rules |
| EPPP-2 | not adopted (rules require only the EPPP and State Examination) |
| PSYPACT | member – Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact enacted as G.S. 90-270.160 et seq. (S.L. 2020-82) |
Supervision during the postdoc
- Supervision: ≥1 hour per week face-to-face individual supervision (provisional licensees: ≥1 h/week until permanent status)
- Who may supervise: Permanently NC-licensed psychologist (or doctoral psychologist licensed where supervisee practices); one-time 3-hour Board supervision training; HSP supervision by HSP-P
- Minimum time: Postdoctoral year: minimum 1 calendar year
- Time limit: Postdoctoral year within a consecutive 4-year period; training (internship-type) year within 24 months
Related credentials
- Master’s level: Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA): master's/specialist in psychology, EPPP 440; supervised unless approved for independent practice after 4,000 post-licensure hours
- School psychology: School psychologists licensed by the State Board of Education are exempt within DPI/public-school employment
- Specialty or health-service credential: Health-services practice requires separate HSP-P certification: 2 years supervised health-services experience, ≥1 postdoctoral (G.S. 90-270.153(b); 21 NCAC 54 .2704)
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: 'Face-to-face supervision' includes electronic means; must be live, interactive, visual, real time with verbal and visual interaction for the entire session (21 NCAC 54 .2005). Min. 1 h/week face-to-face individual supervision in any week the applicant practises. Parties must consider whether in-person is better (new relationship, report review, concerns).
- Phone only: not allowed (verbal and visual interaction for the entire session)
- In-person minimum: None set by the state
- Supervisor licensed in North Carolina? other: NC permanently licensed psychologist, or a doctoral licensed psychologist licensed in the jurisdiction where the supervisee is practising
- Supervisor credential: NC Board 3-hour supervision training (Board-assigned presenter) required before supervising applicants/LPAs/provisional licensees in NC
- Supervisee cap: None set by the state
- Board approval first: Written, notarized supervision contract form must be on file with the Board at all times (filed with application; updated within 30 days of changes); Board may disapprove a supervisor.
- If you live outside North Carolina: Applicants not practising psychology in NC need no NC supervision (54 .2007(b))
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
S.L. 2025-37 amended G.S. 90-270.139, .145 and .153 (current codified text read). 21 NCAC 54 .2009 last amended eff. 8/1/2021; OAH chapter PDF dated 2022-06-02.
In the board’s own words
“an applicant shall document a minimum of 2 years consisting of at least 3000 hours of supervised practice” — 21 NCAC 54 .2009(a)✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of 1 calendar year consisting of at least 1500 hours of this supervised practice shall be accrued at the postdoctoral level.” — 21 NCAC 54 .2009(a)✓ matched in the source
“One of these years may be predoctoral and the Board shall establish rules governing appropriate supervised predoctoral experience.” — G.S. 90-270.139(d)(2)✓ matched in the source
“A minimum of one hour per week of face-to-face, individual supervision shall be provided.” — 21 NCAC 54 .2009(i)(1)✓ matched in the source
“shall include 1500 hours of practice, and shall be completed within a consecutive 4-year period” — 21 NCAC 54 .2009(i)(2)✓ matched in the source
“The passing point for licensed psychologist shall be a scaled score of 500” — 21 NCAC 54 .1901(a)(1)✓ matched in the source
“The passing point for all licensees shall be set at 78 percent of the total scored items on the examination.” — 21 NCAC 54 .1901(a)(2)✓ matched in the source
“Video or other technology may be used so long as it is real time and involves verbal and visual interaction for the entire session.” — 21 NCAC 54 .2001, .2005, .2007✓ matched in the source
“a doctoral level licensed psychologist who is licensed in the jurisdiction where the supervisee is practicing psychology” — 21 NCAC 54 .2001, .2005, .2007✓ matched in the source
“must complete a three-hour training session which meets the following requirements” — 21 NCAC 54 .2001, .2005, .2007✓ matched in the source
“An applicant shall keep a written, notarized supervision contract form on file in the Board's office at all times.” — 21 NCAC 54 .2001, .2005, .2007✓ matched in the source
“An applicant who is not practicing or offering to practice psychology in North Carolina shall not be required to receive supervision.” — 21 NCAC 54 .2001, .2005, .2007✓ matched in the source
Other licenses in North Carolina
- LCMHC (professional counselor)
- LMFT (marriage and family therapist)
- LCSW (clinical social worker)
- All North Carolina licenses · every state
Sources
- G.S. 90-270.139(c)–(d) (Application; supervision; provisional licenses)
- G.S. Chapter 90 Article 18H, §90-270.160 et seq. (PSYPACT; S.L. 2020-82)
- 21 NCAC 54 .2009(a)–(i) (Licensed Psychologist supervision)
Checked against North Carolina Psychology Board’s rules, statutes and publications on September 25, 2026. The board decides; if your situation is unusual, confirm with them.