Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) are required to have a master’s degree with a minimum of 48 semester hours in counseling from an accredited institution of higher education. Two years of post-masters counseling experience must be acquired in a professional setting with a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised professional practice. Individuals must have passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE), and submit an acceptable Professional Disclosure Statement. The North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors was established in July 1993 by the legislature to regulate the activities of persons who render counseling services to the public.

National Certified Counselor (NCC) is a voluntary certification that is national in scope. Applicants must pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and hold a masters degree in counseling with at least 48 semester hours, where more than half the courses and at least 24 semester hours represent course work in Human Growth and Development, Social/Cultural Foundations, Helping Relationships (Counseling Theories and Techniques), Group Work, Career and Lifestyle Development, Appraisal (Tests and Measurements for Individuals and Groups), Research and Program Evaluation, Professional Orientation to counseling, and Field experiences in counseling. Two years of post-masters counseling experience with a minimum of 3,000 hours of work and at least 100 hours of face-to-face supervision is required.

Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) is a specialty credential that identifies to the counseling profession and to the public those counselors who have met national professional addictions counseling standards. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate coursework in the area of addictions which may include coursework in group and/or marriage and family counseling or 500 continuing education hours specifically in addictions. A minimum of two courses on addictions covering general drug terminology, specific drug information, theories of addiction, medical and psychological aspects, assessments, treatment, and special issues is mandatory. Three years of supervised experience as an addictions counselor must be acquired at no fewer than 20 hours per week. Two of the three years must have been completed after the counseling master’s degree was conferred. Candidates must receive a passing score on the Examination for Master Addictions Counselors (EMAC).

Clinically Certified Forensic Counselors (CCFC) are qualified to provide services in specialized areas to clients under the criminal justice system. A CCFC must have a minimum of a master’s degree, two years clinical experience working with Forensic and/or Domestic Violence clients, and pass an examination. Mental Health Divisions for CCFC’s include Psychology, Social Work, Addictions, Nursing and Vocational Rehabilitation. Areas of Specialty include Forensic Assessment and Evaluation, Mediation, Criminal Offender Counseling, and Youthful Offender Counseling. The American College of Certified Forensic Counselors encompasses each discipline and their select specialties and sets standards of practice and competency.