Requirements for certificate to practice as a Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor:
At least 21 years of age;
Of good moral character;
At least three years of full-time work as a rabbi, priest, minister, or religious leader;
Ordained, or an equivalent as determined by the applicant’s faith group, and endorsed to function as a pastoral counselor;
Completed a masters of divinity, or its equivalent, from an accredited educational institution;
Completed a masters or doctoral degree in pastoral counseling, or its equivalent, from an accredited educational institution;
Completed at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, or its equivalent;
Provided at least 1375 hours of pastoral counseling;
Received at least 250 hours of supervision of pastoral counseling (up to 30% of which can be obtained through CPE supervision), supervision to be provided by a North Carolina Certified Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor, LCMHC, LCMHCS, LMFT, LCSW, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Medical Doctor with a Medical Board certification in psychiatry, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, or an individual with equal or greater clinical qualifications to one of these professionals that is approved by the Board through written equivalency;
Passes the Board’s examination in pastoral counseling.
Requirements for certificate to practice as a Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counseling Associate:
At least 21 years of age;
Of good moral character;
At least three years of full-time work as a rabbi, priest, minister, or religious leader;
Ordained, or an equivalent as determined by the applicant’s faith group, and endorsed to function as a pastoral counselor;
Completed a masters of divinity, or its equivalent, from an accredited educational institution;
Completed at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, or its equivalent;
Provided at least 375 hours of pastoral counseling;
Received at least 125 hours of supervision of pastoral counseling (up to 30% of which can be obtained through CPE supervision), supervision to be provided by a North Carolina Certified Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor, LCMHC, LCMHCS, LMFT, LCSW, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Medical Doctor with a Medical Board certification in psychiatry, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, or an individual with equal or greater clinical qualifications to one of these professionals that is approved by the Board through written equivalency;
Passes the Board’s examination in pastoral counseling.
(Note that the Pastoral Counseling Associate certification does not require the degree in pastoral counseling beyond the M.Div. and that there are less required hours of counseling and supervision. Persons certified at the Associate level are required by law to document ongoing supervision in an annual report to the board.)