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North Carolina Licensure for Professional Counselor

Christina Rosen, Ed.D., LPCS, LCAS, CCS, NCC, IADCAssociate Professor, in the CMHC Program

Clinical Field Experience Coordinator for CMHC Co-Coordinator Certificate in Addiction Counseling

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Goals for LPCA Application Presentation

To review different levels of licensure To review LPCA application process To review LPCA application To review Candidate for Licensure

Pending" (CFL-P) status To review the process from LPCA to LPC To review definition of direct hours To review the renewal process

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Three Levels of Licensure LPCA

› Licensed Professional Counselor Associate› Restricted license must have supervision

LPC› Licensed Professional Counselor› Unrestricted license supervision not required

LPCS› Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor› Board approved supervisor & supervision

not required

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Practice Counseling Activities A person must be:

› Licensed—LPCA must have an approved supervisor

› Student enrolled in practicum or internship under supervision

› Work 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)

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North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors Contact Info. Go to NCBLPC website - review› http://www.ncblpc.org/

Check the Board’s calendar for deadlines› http://www.ncblpc.org/general-info/calendar

Check the Board’s website of update information› http://www.ncblpc.org/#

Contact information for the Board Phone number, 844-622-3572 or 336-217-6007 Can contact us by email at LPCinfo@ncblpc.org  

For General Mail: For Overnight and Special Delivery:

PO Box 77819Greensboro, NC 27417

7D Terrace WayGreensboro, NC 27403

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Overview: LPCA Application Process Download & complete the 12 page LPCA application LPCA applications includes:

› Completing and signing Official Application p. 2-12 http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms

› Payment form the fee is a total of $238.00 (application is $200, Background check is $38)

› Official Conferred Transcript directly from Registrar office› Examinations Scores from NBCC sent directly to NCBLPC› Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience Form› Professional Disclosure Statement› Ethics Attestation Certification & Agreement› Jurisprudence Exam › Finger prints cards & Authorization for Release for Background check forms

All required documents must in for application to be designated as completed and ready for board reviewed

Applicant is in review designation is when documents, other than the above italicize documentation, are missing.

Candidate for Licensure Pending (CFL-P) (see slide 24) will be reviewed by the board

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LPCA Application Contents

I. General informationII. Credentials (if you have any, i.e. LCAS-A)II. Legal & Ethical HistoryIV. Education level V. Three Professional References with contact informationVI. Graduate Courses - Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience (p. 12 is the actual form)

VII. Graduate Courses continues VIII. Photo IX. Application Validation – NotarizedIX. Criminal Background InformationXI. Authority for Release fro Criminal Background checkLPCA Application Payment FormLPCA PDS Template Jurisprudence Exam Information www.i-counseling.net

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LPCA Application Packet & Payment

Applications (21 NCAC 53 .0301) – obtain at http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms › May be submitted electronically or mailed in

paper format › Right now mailed applicant only they are

working towards more electron submission Application fee is a $200.00 + $38.00 =

$238.00› $200.00 applicant › $38.00 background check

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LPCA Application: Sections I, II & III

Complete – Print or Type Using Black Ink ONLY Section I. General Information Section II. Credentials (if you have any, i.e. LCAS-

A) Section III. Legal & Ethical History

All Applications are REQUIRED to submit to NBLPC for state and national background check :

2 fingerprint cards, the Authorization for Release of Information and payment of $38.00

If you say, yes to question 3 or 7 you must submit a written explanation in seal envelope, see application p. 3

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Section IV.Official Conferred Transcript

Before you turn in your LCPA application packet order TWO conferred sealed official transcript from the Registrar Office (make a copy of each receipt of payment and request for transcript include both in your LPCA application packet:› One transcript will be sent to NCBLPC (North Carolina

Board of Licensed Professional Counselors)› Second transcript will be sent to NBCC (National Board

for Certified Counselors) which is needs before NBCC will release your GSA-NCE scores to NCBLPC)

It can take 4 to 6 weeks after you graduate for Appalachian State University to send your official conferred transcript to both organization

The receipts will assist in moving your status from application in review to CFL-P (Candidate for Licensure Pending)

Send a copy of your unofficial transcript (see point 5 on Checklist for LPCA Applicants)

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National Exam http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms

National Counselor Exam (NCE)can take 4 to 6 weeks after payment has been received.

GSA-NCE exam is administered on campus during Fall & Spring Semester,

Fee is $295.00 to take the exam GSA-NCE Dr. Jill Van Horne is our campus faculty liaison Process is now on-line

Request Appalachian State University Registrar Office to send an Conferred Official sealed transcript: showing conferral degree date to NBCC

Pay fee to NBCC to send your test scores and to become an NCC (National Certified Counselor)

Request NBCC to send your test scores to NCBLPC: http://www.ncblpc.org/forms/04_Exam_Scores/Request_for_NCE-NCMHCE_Scores.pdf

Print & copy receipt of payment and request for scores Prior to graduating send NBCC your new address and fee to

become an NCC

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Section V. List Three Professional References

Professors Site Supervisors Professional Mentors Provide full contact information and

length of time you have know them

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Section VI.Graduate Counseling Experience

Practicum & Internship separate courses appearing on your Official Conferred Transcript (p. 4)

Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience form› University Supervisor of each course needs to

complete this form p.12 (see slide 21) or go to http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms

After each semester of practicum/internship have faculty supervisor complete this form, seal and sign the back of the envelope… include in your packet, if they send the form directly to NBLPC make sure it is sent after you send your application

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Section VI. continued Graduate Counseling Experience

Supervised graduate counseling shall consist of a minimum of 300 hours of supervised graduate counseling experience

At a rate of not less than one hour of clinical supervision per 40 hours of graduate counseling experience,

At least 180 hours of this counseling experience shall be direct counseling experience as (see slide 3, for definition of direct hours)

CMHC and PSC programs already adhere to these standards

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Section VII. Graduate Courses

Regionally accreditation institution Only use a course once time (no course

can be used twice) to meet requirements Courses with unclear titles attached

syllabus (our titles are clear enough) Nine core course muse be covered (see

next slide) - Each course must have the university code and course title as seen on the transcript.

CMHC and PSC core course are aligned with these standards

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Section VII continued: Required Courses

Helping Relationship› HPC 5220 Counseling Theories and Techniques › For those enrolled prior to Fall 2015 semester

Counseling Practicum› HPC 5900 Practicum in Counseling

Counseling Internship › HPC 6900 Internship in Mental Health Counseling› Enrolled for one semester list once, enrolled over two semester list

twice

Professional Orientation to the 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

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Section VII continued: Required Course

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

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Section VIII. Attached Photo Section IX. Notary Public

Photo is taped on each side 2 X 2 “passport” size Notary - Sign and date in presence of a

notary› Bank› Credit union

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Section IX. Criminal Background Information

Can take up to four to six weeks Read Instruction for Completing the

Applicant Finger Card (p. 6) – set up an appointment

Cost is $38.00 to NCBLPC – 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 (p. 10)

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Payment Form p. 11 of 12

Payment form (p.11) One payment of $238.00 = $200.00

applicant + $38.00 background check Check or money order or payable to

NCBLPC Credit card Or agency

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Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience (p. 12)

Complete one form at the end of each semester for practicum or internship, with an envelope that is address to NCBLPC and has a stamp, (p. 12) or http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms

At the end of the semester have the university supervisor sign the form

Also have them seal and sign the envelope, even though it should be send directly to NCBLPC

If they send it in before you apply the form will be sent back, so instead have them give you the envelope and you send it in about two days after you send in your application or send it with your application

See slide 13

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Professional Disclosure Statement

Must be provided a copy to clients prior to counseling services starting and client must sign it.

A signed copy must be maintained in the client record(s)

Must include information as listed in Rule .0204 (LPCA Professional Disclosure Statement (Template pps. 1& 2after p. 12)› Instructions: http://

www.ncblpc.org/forms/06_Professional_Disclosure/PDS_Instructions_for_LPCA.pdf

› Template:

http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms

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Jurisprudence ExamJurisprudence Exam.pdf - http://www.ncblpc.org/forms/05_Exam_Registration_Forms/Jurisprudence%20Exam.pdf

Complete for each licensure & renewal Test is on-line can be completed from most computer No fail test Review briefing at the bottom of the web page before

taking the test http://www.ncblpc.org/ncblpc-forms Print completed certificate & include with the application Administrative fee $25.00 to i-counseling at the time of the

test Administrator by Center for Credentialing & Education via

the i-counseling website www.i-counseling.net Make sure you are completing the exam for North

Carolina Counselor Exam The exam is to be complete within six months prior to

application or renewal

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Candidate for Licensure Pending-CFL-P Candidate for Licensure Pending (CFL-P) if

the application is missing one or more of the following requirements:› Official exam score from the examining board; › Official transcript from a regionally accredited

higher education institution; › Professional Disclosure Statement for the level

that they are applying For the applicant to be listed as a CFL-P,

the applicant shall provide all other required documentations, as stated in slide 6 with the above exceptions.

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For the 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.

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 the 60 days, the CFL-P designation shall revert to an application in review status

And shall be presented at the next scheduled Board meeting upon receipt of missing documents subject to the two-year period set

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Summary of LPCA Application Packet Application is completed or in CFL-P status will be

review at the next board meeting as long as the following is also included:› A receipt showing the request and payment to the examining

board for an official exam score 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

Professional Disclosure Statement Jurisprudence Exam Verification of Graduate Counseling Experience

form for both practicum & internship 2 Finger Print Cards & Authorization for Release of

Information Ethics Attestation statement Payment with payment form

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Time Line for Application Send in your completed application & additional

information, as stated on slide 24, to the NCBLPC about 2 to 4 weeks before deadline,

Background check can take 4 to 6 weeks Transcripts can take 4 to 6 weeks for the registrar office to

send an official conferred transcripts to NCBLPC & NBCC, order 6 weeks before LPCA application deadline

NBCC - after receiving an official conferred transcript can take 4 to 6 weeks to send your NCE scores to NCBLPC

University Supervisor can take 4 to 10 weeks (depending on University breaks & summer school) to complete Verification of Graduate Experience form

After the board meets it can take 4 to 6 weeks to received LPCA notice

After sending in supervisor contract it can take 2 to 4 weeks for supervisor to receive approval letter

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Hits for Successful Application Plan Ahead

› Send in application at least two to fours weeks before the board deadline

› Mail the application so you will obtain a returned receipt› Include completed application with additional documents as stated in in

slide 24 Be Patient and Diligent

› You will receive via e-mail a letter and log-in, information use it before calling the board, Pending

› All documents need to be received and reviewed prior to being award licensure keep checking your Log-In site for status

› Each organization can take about 4 to 6 weeks to send materials or notify you including the NCLPCB

› 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 application so that your supervisor

can be approved along with your application. › You can not start working until your supervisor receives notice that your

supervisor has been approved.

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I am LPCA Now What?

Direct hours 2000 + Indirect hours1000 = 3000

Clinical Supervised 100, ratio 1 for every 40 hours worked

Renewal Process every two unless new then maybe less than two years

Supervision must include raw data which must be a significant part of supervision time

Must keep a supervision log, Must send in quarterly reports and supervisor

must send in final supervision report

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LPCA’s

Restricted counseling work is supervised› Must have 1 hour of face-to-face supervision

for every 40 hours of professional practice once LPCA has be granted

› No less than three-quarters of the hours of clinical supervision shall be individual clinical supervision

To apply for LPC › 3000 hours of supervised professional practice post

degree, of which 2000 hours must be direct counseling about 20 to 23 hours a week for two years, a minimum of a 100 hours of supervision

› Ratio 40 hours of work to 1 hour of supervision: Working no more than 40 hours per week, then must have one hour of face to face supervision

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Clinical Supervision

Supervision Contract – send right after board meeting if possible› Must be approved before counseling services begin› Supervisor will receive an approval letter, after you

receive you LPCA then you can start seeing clients › Must meet for one hour of supervision for every 40

hours worked› LPCS – Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor › Approved Board Supervisor – Qualified Supervisor

After July 2017, all supervision must be with an LPCS

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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.

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COUNSELING EXPERIENCE -LPCA 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.

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.

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Renewal The biennial renewal fee of $200.00 is due and

payable by June 20 of the renewal year Newly issued licenses shall be effective upon the

date of issuance by the Board and shall expire on the second June 30 thereafter.

The renewal period for a newly issued license may be less than two years 30 continue contact hours are needed.

If the renewal period for 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

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Renewal continued Certificate of completion of the jurisprudence

examination for the level of license that is being renewed

The Ethics Attestation Statement An updated Professional Disclosure Statement Payment of Renewal Fee Change of Address Send in early if possible Renewal forms can be audit keep Certificate of

Completion of Continue Contact Hours in case of an audit—do not send it the CCH/CEU to the board unless requested

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Summary of Counseling Experience for LPCA to move towards LPC

Must have a board approved supervisor –the supervisor must received a letter of approval before counseling begins.

Minimum of 3000 hours total of professional experience (i.e. direct and indirect hours)

A minimum of 2000 hours of direct counseling experience

At 40 hours of work must have an 1 hour of supervision

100 hours of clinical supervision,

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Questions

Start the application process early

Good luck!!!!