NCBLPC Quarterly Update

The NCBLPC (“the Board”) recently addressed the graduation gap faced by recent graduates who are prohibited from providing direct counseling services until they are licensed unless they are working in an exempt setting. Applications pending receipt of NCE scores and/or an official transcript can now be considered by the Board who will authorize the Board Administrator to verify and release the license upon receipt of the missing items. The Board also approved administrative guidelines for licensure by endorsement for LPC applicants who are licensed in other states.

In addition, the Board launched the Jurisprudence Exam; a no fail exam required for all counseling licensure in NC and for each consecutive renewal period. Applicants and renewing licensees shall submit documentation of completion of the jurisprudence exam, taken within six months prior to application for licensure or renewal.

The Board is actively seeking ways to expedite the processing of applications. One way counselors and applicants could assist the Board is by referring to the NCBLPC website prior to calling the Board office. Also, please allow the Board 48 business hours to respond prior to leaving a duplicate message. The less time the Board staff spends on the phone, the more time they will have to process applications. To help expedite the Board processing time, all requests for status of an application will be referred back to the website and no statuses will be given via telephone.

More information regarding all these items may be found at the NCBLPC website at www.ncblpc.org

LoriAnn S. Stretch, PhD, LPCS, NCC, ACS
NCBLPC Chair