North Carolina Licensure Application Process and Requirements

North Carolina Licensure Application Process for Clinical Mental Health Counselors Christina Rosen, Ed.D., LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, NCC, IADC Professor Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Clinical Field Experience Coordinator for CMHC 1 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Goals for LCMHCA Application Presentation To review different levels of licensure To review LCMHCA application process To review LCMHCA application To review Candidate for Licensure Pending (CFL-P) status To review the transition process from LCMHCA to LCMHC status To review definition of direct hours To review the licensure renewal process 2 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Three Levels of Licensure LCMHCA Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate Restricted license- must have a board approved supervision contract on file LCMHC Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Unrestricted license- supervision not required LCMHCS Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor Board approved supervisor 3 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Time from Graduation to LCMHCA Please prepare that for 3 to 4 months post graduation you will not be licensed. Once you graduate it can take 4 to 6 weeks for your conferred transcript to be received by the NBCC and NCBLCMHC. Once NBCC receives your conferred transcript it can take them 4 to 6 weeks to send your scores to NCBLCMHC Once NCBLCMHC receives everything and your application has been approved it can take 4-6 weeks for NCBLCMHC to award you the LCMHCA. Remember you need an approved supervisor before you can provide counseling. 4 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Practice of Counseling Activities A person must be: Licensed LCMHCA must have a board approved supervisor contract on file before practicing A student enrolled in practicum or internship under supervision Working in an exempt setting as approved by the Board Counseling activities: Direct hours: Consists of live contact with individuals, groups, and families through counseling as defined in G.S. 90-330(a)(3)a thru b: (see slide 32) 5 Rosen, June 1, 2020

North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors Contact Info. Review NCBLCMHC website: https://www.ncblpc.org/ Check the Board s calendar for deadlines: http://www.ncblpc.org/general-info/calendar Contact information for the Board: Phone number: 844-622-3572 or 336-217-6007 Email: LCMHCinfo@ncblpc.org For General Mail: For Overnight and Special Delivery: PO Box 77819 Greensboro, NC 27417 7D Terrace Way Greensboro, NC 27403 6 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Overview: LCMHCA Application Process Open the web portal and complete the LCMHCA application LCMHCA applications includes: Completing and signing the official application: http://ncblpc.org/Licensure/Applying necessary forms to accompany application will become available once you complete the application and submit your payment. Payment form: the fee is a total of $238.00 (application is $200, background check is $38) Official Conferred Transcript directly from university registrar s office to NCBLCMHC** Electronic Forms will become available once you complete the application Examination Scores from NBCC sent directly to NCBLCMHC** (also send conferred transcript to NBCC so they can release your scores to NCBLCMHC) Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience Form (from all field experience semesters completed to date). This is now done electronically. Professional references 3 Professional Disclosure Statement Ethics Attestation Certification & Agreement Jurisprudence Exam link becomes available when you complete the application Life-scan & Authority for Release for Criminal Background Check form Application Affidavit Notary All required documents must be in for application to be designated as completed and ready for board review. (Candidate for Licensure Pending (CFL-P) (see slide 24) will be reviewed by the board) 7 Rosen, June 1, 2020

LCMHCA Application Contents General Information Credentials (if you have any, i.e. LCAS-A) Legal & Ethics History Education (degrees that you have when you apply) References (three professional references with contact information electronic) Graduate Counseling Experience (includes Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience forms - electronic) Graduate Courses Application Validation (must be notarized then upload) Criminal Background Information Life-scan & Authority for Release for Criminal Background Check LCMHCA Application Payment (online) LCMHCA PDS Jurisprudence Exam 8 Rosen, June 1, 2020

LCMHCA Application Packet & Payment Applications(21 NCAC 53 .0301) are now electronic at http://ncblpc.org/Licensure/Applying Total fees: $200.00 + $38.00 = $238.00 $200.00 application fee $38.00 background check fee must be within six months of the applicant being reviewed (Life- scan) 9 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Sections: LCMHCA Application General Information Credentials (if you have any, i.e. LCAS-A) Legal & Ethics History All applicants are REQUIRED to submit the following information to NCBLCMHC for state and national background checks: Life-scan finger prints are electronic Authorization for Release of Criminal Background Check Payment of $38.00 If you say yes to questions 3 or 7, you must submit a written explanation in a sealed envelope 10 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Section: Education & Transcripts Once you submit your LCMHCA application packet, order TWO conferred transcripts electronically and have a sealed official transcript from the registrar s office sent to you. Make a copy of each receipt of payment and transcript request. Include both of the following in your LCMHCA application (upload the emailed receipt to the board): One transcript will be sent to NCBLCMHC (North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors) Second transcript will be sent to NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) which is needed before NBCC will release your GSA-NCE scores to NCBLPC) It can take 4 to 6 weeks after you graduate from Appalachian State University to send your official conferred transcript to both organizations. The receipts will assist in moving your application to the status of CFL-P (Candidate for Licensure Pending), so the board will review it. Include upload a copy of your unofficial transcript 11 Rosen, June 1, 2020

National Exam NBCC can take 4 to 6 weeks to send your scores to NCBLCMHC . GSA-NCE exam is administered on campus during fall & spring semesters. Fee is $330.00 to take the exam. Dr. Dominique Hammonds is our campus faculty liaison. Registration process is now on-line. Request for the Appalachian State University registrar s office to send a conferred official sealed transcript showing date the degree was conferred to NBCC. Pay NBCC fee to become an NCC (National Certified Counselor). Use the form handout for NBCC to request your scores (complete it as if you were ordering the scores). Upload form under NCE scores. Once you graduate, go to Pro Counselor to order you NCE scores to be sent to NCBLCMHC. The score will open for you once NBCC receives your conferred transcripts. Prior to graduating, send NBCC your new address and the fee to become an NCC. 12 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Section: Professional References Need 3 professional references - electronic Professors Site supervisors Professional mentors Provide full contact information and length of time you have know them. Good practice to let your reference know you added them and the length of time you stated that you have known each other. 13 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Section: Graduate Counseling Experience Practicum & internship are shown as separate courses on your official conferred transcript (see pg. 4 of the LCMHCA application). If Internship is taken across two semesters you will need two separate Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience forms. This form is electronic each semester download your training form and complete a hard copy of VGC VGC University supervisor of each course needs to complete this form https://ncblpc.org/Licensure/Applying/LCMHCA After each semester of practicum/internship, have your university supervisor complete this form, and then upload to Supervision Assist When you complete your application send an email to each university supervisor (practicum, & internship) with a copy of your VCG that is completed so they can complete the electronic form quickly. 14 Rosen, June 2020

Section (continued): Graduate Counseling Experience Supervised graduate counseling experience shall consist of a minimum of 300 hours. Need one hour of clinical supervision per week (each week of the semester by the site supervisor and university supervisor) hours of graduate counseling experience. At least 180 hours of this counseling experience shall be direct counseling experience (see slide 3 for definition of direct hours). CMHC and PSC programs already adhere to these standards. 15 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Section: Graduate Courses Our programs are regionally accredited by (SACES) and we are CACREP accredited. Only use a course one time (no course can be used twice) to meet requirements. For courses with unclear titles, attach the syllabus (our titles are clear enough). Nine core course must be covered (see next slide) - Each course must have the university code and course title as seen on your transcript. CMHC and PSC core courses are aligned with these standards. 16 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Section (continued): Required Courses Helping Relationships HPC 5220: Counseling Theories and Techniques (for those enrolled prior to Fall 2015 semester) HPC 5225: Helping Relationships and HPC 5220 (see above for title) Counseling Practicum HPC 5900: Practicum in Counseling Counseling Internship HPC 6900: Internship in Mental Health Counseling If enrolled for one semester, list once; if enrolled over two semesters, list twice. Professional Orientation to Counseling HPC 5120: Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling HPC 5752 : Legal and Ethical Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Human Growth and Development Theories HPC 5272: Individual and Family Development 17 Rosen June 1, 2020

Section (continued): Required Courses Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling HPC 5110: Multicultural Counseling Group Counseling Theories and Processes HPC 5790: Groups Methods and Processes Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development HPC 5210 : Life and Career Planning Assessment in Counseling HPC 5140 : Psychological and Educational Testing HPC 6120: Developmental Assessment and Diagnosis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Research and Program Evaluation RES 5000: Research Methods Rosen, June 1, 2020 18

Section: Application Validation Sign notary affidavit Application must be signed and dated in the presence of a notary. DO NOT SIGN THE UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF A NOTARY. This form is on the website as a download. Once you complete it, upload the form. Bank Credit union 19 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Section: Criminal Background Information Authority for Release of Criminal Background Check Can take up to 4 to 6 weeks Read the instructions. They are using Live-Scan. Watch your email to set up an appointment with the sheriff s office. Remember to complete the permission form for a background check, then upload it as stated on the NCBLCMHCA website. Cost is $38.00 to NCBLCMHC one payment of $238.00 = $200.00 for application + $38.00 background check. Complete and send in Authority for Release of Information (State and Federal Record Check) 20 Rosen, June 1,2020

Application Payment Form The LCMHCA application is open once you hit reply You will need a credit card and you ll pay one fee of $238.00 Need to make one payment of $238.00 = $200.00 applicant + $38.00 background check. 21 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience Complete one form per site at the end of each semester for practicum or internship. Put it in an envelope that is addressed to NCBLPC and that has a stamp. (I put a hard copy in your packet). At the end of the semester, have the university supervisor sign the form. The VGCE is electronic After each semester complete a VGE thoroughly, then upload it to Supervision Assist along with your training form. Once the application is complete, contact each university supervisor and attach the VGC that corresponds with that course for quick completions of your electronic VGCE 22 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Professional Disclosure Statement A copy must be provided to clients prior to starting counseling services and must be signed by clients. A signed copy must be maintained in client record(s). For an example of PDS go to the CMHC website, go to Clinical Field Experience tab, and look for an example Must include information as listed in Rule .0204 (LCMHCA Professional Disclosure Statement Template found on pgs. 1 & 2 after pg. 12 in the LCMHCA application). Instructions and Template are found at: https://ncblpc.org/Licensure/Applying/LCMHCA 23 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Jurisprudence Exam Complete for each licensure & renewal. Test is online and can be completed from most computers. Jurisprudence exam is a no fail test. Review briefing at the bottom of the web page before taking the test. Print completed certificate & include with your application. Administrative fee $50.00 to i-counseling at the time of the test. Administered by Center for Credentialing & Education via the i-counseling website: www.i-counseling.net . Make sure you are completing the North Carolina Counselor Exam for LCMHCA. The exam is to be completed within six months prior to application or renewal. Link to exam is found on the on-line application 24 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Candidate for Licensure Pending: CFL-P Candidate for Licensure Pending (CFL-P) status is acquired if the application is missing one or more of the following requirements: Official exam scores from NBCC; MUST INCLUDE COPY OF REQUEST FOR SCORES & PROOF OF PAYMENT FOR SCORES. (This is the hard form in your packet) Official transcript from a regionally accredited higher education institution; MUST PUT COPY OF RECEIPT REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTS TO BE SENT AND A COPY OF YOUR UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT. (This will be an email confirming your order) For the applicant to be listed as a CFL-P, the applicant shall provide all other required documentation 25 Rosen, June 1, 2020

For An Applicant To Be Listed As A CFL-P: The CFL-P designation allows the applicant's file to be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting for approval. License may be issued upon receipt of the missing documents (transcripts and NCE score). The CFL-P designation is effective for a maximum of 60 days from the date of approval by the Board. If the missing documents are not received within 60 days, the CFL-P designation shall revert to application in review status. If the missing documents are not received within 60 days, the application shall be presented at the next scheduled Board meeting upon receipt of missing documents, and is subject to a two-year period set. 26 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Summary of LCMHCA Application Packet An application is completed, or CFL-P status will be reviewed at the next board meeting as long as the following is also included: A receipt showing the request and payment to the NCE scores examining board for official exam scores to be sent to the Board; A receipt showing the request and payment to the educational institution for an official transcript to be sent to the Board electronic (also upload you unofficial transcript). Professional Disclosure Statement Jurisprudence Exam Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience form for both practicum & internship for each site Life-scan & Authorization for Release of Information Ethics Attestation Statement 27 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Timeline for Application Send in your completed application & additional information (see slide 24) to the NCBLCMHC about 2 to 4 weeks before the deadline as stated on the NBCMHC website (http://ncblpc.org/BoardInfo/calendar) Background check can take 4 to 6 weeks. (Life scan) Transcripts can take 4 to 6 weeks for the registrar s office to send official conferred transcripts to NCBLCMHC & NBCC. Orderelectronic transcript at least one week before LPCA application deadline (also include an unofficial transcript in your application). Upload email as your receipt to NCBLCMHC. After NBCC receives your official conferred transcript, they can take 4 to 6 weeks. Pro Counselor will give you the opportunity to pay for your = NCE scores to be sent to NCBLCMHC. However you are using the old hard form that you completed as a receipt so you can be a CFL-P. University supervisor has electronic link to complete the Verification of Graduate Experience form see suggestions on pervious slides. After the board meets, it can take 2 to 4 weeks to receive LPCA notice. After sending in supervisor contract, it can take 2 to 4 weeks for supervisor to receive approval letter. 28 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Hints for Successful Application Plan Ahead Complete the online application at least two to fours weeks before the Board s designated application deadline. If you mail anything, make sure you ask for a return receipt Make sure you read everything and follow instructions as stated on the website. Use this PowerPoint to help you Be Patient and Diligent You will receive log-in information and a letter via email. Use these before calling the Board. All documents need to be received and reviewed prior to being awarded licensure. Keep checking your account for your status. Each organization can take about 4 to 6 weeks to send materials or notify you, including the NCBLCMHC. Remember to log-in and check status before contacting the Board keep the Board letter with your login information. Be Wise Send supervision contract in with your application around the time the board meets. You cannot start working until your supervisor receives notice that they have been approved. Rosen, June 1, 2020 29

I am an LCMHCA- Now What? Hours required: Direct hours (2000) + Indirect hours (1000) = 3000 hours total Clinical supervised hours required: 1 hour for every 40 hours worked (total: 100 hours) Must go through renewal process every 2 years (may be less when you are a new counselor). Supervision must include raw data, which must take a significant part of supervision time. Must keep a supervision log. Must send in quarterly reports to the Board and supervisor must send in final supervision report to the Board. 30 Rosen, June 1,2020

Information for New LCMHCAs Restricted counseling work is supervised. Must have 1 hour of face-to-face supervision for every 40 hours (each week you cannot work more than 40 hours a week) of professional practice once LCMHCA has be granted. No less than three-quarters of the hours of clinical supervision shall be individual clinical supervision. To apply for your LCMHC: 3000 hours of supervised professional practice post degree, of which 2000 hours must be direct counseling. This is about 20 to 23 hours per week for two years. You must have a minimum of a 100 hours of supervision. You must have 1 hour of face-to-face supervision for every 40 hours worked. 31 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Clinical Supervision Send supervision contract right after the Board meeting, if possible. Must be approved by the Board before counseling services begin. Supervisor will receive an approval letter. After you receive your LCMHCA, you can then start seeing clients. Must meet for one hour of supervision for every 40 hours worked. LCMHCS Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor Approved Board Supervisor Qualified Supervisor After July 2017, all supervision must be with an LCMHCS or a board approved qualified supervisor. 32 Rosen, June 1. 2020

Direct Counseling Experience (Rule .0205) a. Assisting individuals, groups, and families through the counseling relationship by evaluating and treating mental disorders and other conditions through the use of a combination of clinical mental health and human development principles, methods, diagnostic procedures, treatment plans, and other psychotherapeutic techniques, to develop an understanding of personal problems, to define goals, and to plan action reflecting the client's interests, abilities, aptitudes, and mental health needs as these are related to personal-social-emotional concerns, educational progress, and occupations and careers. b. Appraisal Activities. Administering and interpreting tests for assessment of personal characteristics. 33 Rosen, June 1,2020

COUNSELING EXPERIENCE-LCMHCA The counseling experience required by G.S. 90-336(c)(2) shall include a minimum of 2000 hours of supervised professional practice hours of direct counseling experience. Direct counseling experience consists of live contact with individuals, groups, or families through counseling as defined in G.S. 90-330(a)(3)a and b. (see slide 29) Experience shall be gained at a rate of no more than 40 hours per week. Must have at least 100 hours of clinical supervision, minimum of 3000 hours of supervised professional practice. No less than three-quarters of the hours of clinical supervision shall be individual clinical supervision. 34 Rosen June 1, 2020

Renewal Process The bi-annual renewal fee of $200.00 is due and payable by June 20th of the renewal year. Newly issued licenses shall be effective upon the date of issuance by the Board and shall expire on June 30th of the second year of issuance. The renewal period for a newly issued license may be less than two years. 30 continuing contact hours are needed if this is the case. If the renewal period for a newly issued license is two years, 40 continue contact hours are needed Following the first renewal of a newly issued license, the renewal period shall be two years and shall run from July 1 in the first year through June 30 in the second year. Rosen, June 1. 2020 35

Renewal Process: Required Materials Certificate of completion of the Jurisprudence Examination for the level of license that is being renewed Ethics Attestation Statement Updated Professional Disclosure Statement Payment of Renewal Fee Change of Address Send these in early, if possible. Renewal forms can be audited. Keep Certificate of Completion of Continuing Contact Hours in case of an audit do not send it to the Board unless requested. 36 Rosen, June 1, 2020

Summary of Counseling Experience: Moving from LCMHCA towards LCMHC Must have a board approved supervisor the supervisor must receive a letter of approval before counseling begins. Must have a minimum of 3000 hours total of professional experience (i.e. direct and indirect hours). Must have a minimum of 2000 hours of direct counseling experience. Must have 1 hour of supervision for every 40 hours of work. Must have a minimum of 100 hours of clinical supervision. 37 Rosen June 1, 2020

Questions Start the application process early!!!! Good luck!!!! See me if you need help. My email address is: rosencm@appstate.edu. 38 Rosen, June, 2020