In North Carolina, public school-based psychological services may be delivered by school psychologists licensed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and/or psychologists/psychological associates licensed through the North Carolina Psychology Board. Each licensee should adhere to their respective licensing board requirements, professional standards of practice, and ethical codes of conduct to ensure quality service delivery to students across NC public schools.
School Psychologist
Training required for school psychologists
In North Carolina, in order to become licensed as a school psychologist, one must have completed a program in school psychology at the sixth-year level and obtained the required score on the NTE/Praxis School Psychology Educational Testing Service (ETS).
DPI Licensing Information
- For general information
- For more specific information about school psychology licensure
- NCDPI Online Licensure System
For more information on becoming a school psychologist in North Carolina, visit the NC Department of Public Instruction’s School Psychology webpage.
Licensed Psychologist/ Licensed Psychological Associate
Training required for licensed psychologists/ psychological associate
Licensed Psychologist
A licensed psychologist must have received a doctoral degree in psychology from a program that includes the equivalent of at least 3 years of full-time study. The program must be accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).
Licensed Psychological Associate
North Carolina allows graduates of some master’s programs to apply to become licensed as psychological associates. To be eligible, one must have completed a master’s degree in psychology in a program that requires at least 45 semester credit hours and 500 hours of supervised experience.
NC Psychology Board Licensing Information
NC Psychology Board Application Process
There are no reciprocity agreements between North Carolina and other jurisdictions. There is an abbreviated application process if an individual meets senior psychologist requirements under 21 NCAC 54 .1707 or holds a mobility credential [see 21 NCAC 54 .1701(b)].
For information on becoming a licensed psychologist or licensed psychological associate in North Carolina visit the NC Psychology Board website.