North Carolina LCMHCA to LCMHC hours requirements
Supervised professional practice toward the North Carolina LCMHC. The 3,000 hours count counseling practice; supervision is documented during those hours and does not count toward them.
The short answer
Headline figures: Total supervised professional practice 3,000 hours; direct counseling experience 2,000 hours.
Supervision: At least 100 hours of clinical supervision during the 3,000 hours, no less than three quarters of it individual.
Time limit: The rule states no minimum or maximum period to complete the hours.
Post-degree experience · Title while gaining experience: Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) · Authority: North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
Requirements
| Requirement | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total supervised professional practice | 3,000 hours |
| Direct counseling experience | 2,000 hours Live contact with individuals, groups or families |
| Weekly limit | No more than 40 hours a week |
| Clinical supervision | 100 hours Documented during the 3,000 hours |
| Individual supervision | At least 75 hours No less than three quarters of supervision |
| Supervision rate | 1 individual hour or 2 group hours per 40 hours of practice |
Supervision
- At least 100 hours of clinical supervision during the 3,000 hours, no less than three quarters of it individual.
- Supervised professional practice includes a minimum of one hour of individual or two hours of group clinical supervision per 40 hours of practice.
- Individual supervision is one or two supervisees with a qualified clinical supervisor. Group supervision may include up to 12 supervisees.
- Face-to-face hours with your supervisor do not count toward the 40 hours of supervised practice.
- Video supervision counts if it is synchronous and involves verbal and visual interaction.
Time limits
- The rule states no minimum or maximum period to complete the hours.
What Accrue checks
- Counts client contact and other creditable work toward 3,000 hours. Supervision is not added to that total.
- Counts direct counseling toward 2,000 hours.
- Counts supervision toward 100 hours, and counts individual and triadic supervision toward 75 individual hours, since North Carolina allows two supervisees in individual supervision.
- Credits at most 40 hours in any 7 days, and counts supervision hours toward that 40.
- Warns when your supervision falls below one hour per 40 hours counted, supervision hours included, checked across all your hours rather than week by week. A group hour counts the same as an individual hour. A warning never removes credit.
What Accrue does not check
- Whether your supervisor meets the board's definition of a qualified clinical supervisor is not checked.
- The supervision contract for each work setting and the supervisor's reports are not tracked.
Common questions
- How many hours do you need for the LCMHC in North Carolina?
- The cited rule sets total supervised professional practice 3,000 hours; direct counseling experience 2,000 hours. Source: N.C.G.S. § 90-336; 21 NCAC 53 .0205; 21 NCAC 53 .0208; 21 NCAC 53 .0210; 21 NCAC 53 .0211; 21 NCAC 53 .0212, checked September 17, 2026. Supervision and time limits also apply; see the sections above.
- What supervision does North Carolina require for the LCMHC?
- At least 100 hours of clinical supervision during the 3,000 hours, no less than three quarters of it individual. Supervised professional practice includes a minimum of one hour of individual or two hours of group clinical supervision per 40 hours of practice. Individual supervision is one or two supervisees with a qualified clinical supervisor. Group supervision may include up to 12 supervisees.
- Is there a time limit for LCMHC hours in North Carolina?
- The rule states no minimum or maximum period to complete the hours.
- Does meeting these figures make me eligible?
- No. The North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors reviews your application and your supervisors' verifications and decides. Accrue keeps the record and shows how the cited rule applies to it.
Sources
Sources checked
Accrue is a record-keeping aid and is not affiliated with any licensing board, accreditor or school. Rules change; confirm the requirements that apply to you with the authority that sets them before you rely on a figure.