120 Day Upgrade

Licensure Upgrade Process for LCMHCAs and LCMHCs

Application Submission and Timeline

As a courtesy, the NCBLCMHC has implemented a 120-day upgrade window for licensees who are within their renewal period (January 1st – June 30th) of the renewal year. This allows eligible licensees to upgrade their license and avoid paying a renewal fee and application fee to upgrade their license.

This option is ONLY available if you are within your renewal window. If your upgrade application is not submitted to the Board office by June 30th of the renewal year, you will not be considered eligible for the 120-day license upgrade.

There are no exceptions for licensees who are outside their renewal window, and the Board will not hear special consideration or appeals requests for this process. However, you may still upgrade your license through the standard application process.

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associates (LCMHCAs) and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (LCMHCs) seeking to upgrade their license during their renewal period must submit a completed application within 120 days of payment for the upgraded license. This 120-day period begins on the date payment is received by the Board office.

This policy applies to:

• LCMHCAs transitioning to LCMHC
• LCMHCs upgrading to LCMHCS

Application Deadline and License Expiration

If your completed upgrade application is not submitted within the 120-day timeframe and extends beyond the June 30th renewal deadline, the current LCMHCA or LCMHC license will lapse.

PLEASE NOTE: 120-day upgrade applications will not be accepted after your current license has lapsed.

Applicants must first reinstate their current LCMHCA or LCMHC license before applying for an upgrade. If the original license is due for renewal during this period, it must be renewed to remain active. An active license is required to apply for an upgrade.

Reminder: To take advantage of the 120-day upgrade policy, your upgrade application MUST be submitted to the Board office by June 30th.

Any new applications submitted after the June 30th deadline will be subject to standard licensure application requirements.

For more information, please visit the "Applying" section of the NCBLCMHC website.

Fees and Payment Requirements

If you choose to upgrade during your renewal period, you are not required to pay the $200 license renewal fee. Instead, you will only be responsible for the $238 application fee and the criminal background check fee.

You do not need to pay for both applications as long as you complete the upgrade process within the 120-day timeframe.

If you are within your renewal window and have already submitted your renewal application and would like up upgrade using the 120 policy, please contact the Board office by email at lcmhcinfo@ncblcmhc.org.

Extension Policy

If you begin the upgrade process with fewer than 120 days remaining in your renewal window and your license is set to lapse, you will receive a one-time extension to provide a full 120-day application window.

• No additional extensions will be granted.
• If the upgrade is not completed within this extension period, you must renew your original license to continue practicing.
• A $75 late fee and the $200 renewal fee will be required in addition to any other applicable fees.

Processing Timeframes

The Board processes applications within 6-12 weeks of receipt, provided there are no special circumstances requiring additional review.

Special Instructions for 2025 Renewals

• If you have already submitted your 2025 renewal application and wish to upgrade to LCMHC or LCMHCS, email NCBLCMHCinfo@ncblcmhc.org once you have initiated your upgrade application. Do not submit the application fee at this time.
• If you submitted a renewal before January 1, 2025, you must follow standard application procedures for upgrading.
• If you renewed last year, and wish to take advantage of the 120-day application process, you can do so during your next renewal window.

*High-Volume Period Advisory

Between April and September, the Board experiences a high volume of applications. Please allow for the full 6–12-week processing timeframe.

Your application will not be penalized or delayed due to administrative processing.

For information regarding the upgrade process, renewal requirements, or fees, please visit the renewals section of the NCBLCMHC website.