§ 90-270.145.  Licensure; examination; foreign graduates.

(a) Licensed Psychologist. - The Board shall issue a permanent license to practice psychology to any applicant who pays an application fee and any applicable examination fee as specified in G.S. 90-270.151(b), who passes an examination in psychology as prescribed by the Board, and who submits evidence verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board that he or she:

(1) Is at least 18 years of age;

(2) Is of good moral character;

(3) Has received a doctoral degree based on a planned and directed program of studies in psychology from an institution of higher education. The degree program, wherever administratively housed, must be publicly identified and clearly labeled as a psychology program. The Board shall adopt rules implementing and defining these provisions, including, but not limited to, such factors as residence in the educational program, internship and related field experiences, number of course credits, course content, numbers and qualifications of faculty, and program identification and identity.

(4) Has had at least two years of acceptable and appropriate supervised experience germane to his or her training and intended area of practice as a psychologist as specified in G.S. 90-270.139(d).

(b) Licensed Psychological Associate. -

(1) The Board shall issue a permanent license to practice psychology to any applicant who pays an application fee and any applicable examination fee as specified in G.S. 90-270.151(b), who passes an examination in psychology as prescribed by the Board, and who submits evidence verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board that he or she:

a. Is at least 18 years of age;

b. Is of good moral character;

c. Has received a master's degree in psychology or a specialist degree in psychology from an institution of higher education. The degree program, wherever administratively housed, must be publicly identified and clearly labeled as a psychology program. The Board shall adopt rules implementing and defining these provisions, including, but not limited to, such factors as residence in the program, internship and related field experiences, number of course credits, course content, numbers and qualifications of faculty, and program identification and identity.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a licensed psychologist applicant who has met all requirements for licensure except passing the examination at the licensed psychologist level, may be issued a license as a licensed psychological associate without having a master's degree or specialist degree in psychology if the applicant passes the examination at the licensed psychological associate level.

(3) No licensed psychological associate shall engage in the practice of neuropsychology or forensic psychology without first demonstrating specialized education and training to practice in those areas as the Board may determine by rule. In considering whether the licensed psychological associate has sufficient specialized education and training to engage in the practice of neuropsychology or forensic psychology, the Board may consider the licensed psychological associate's graduate level course work, continuing education, supervised training experience, or any other factors the Board deems appropriate. For purposes of this subdivision, "neuropsychology" is defined as "the branch of science that studies the physiological processes of the nervous system and relates them to behavior and cognition" and "forensic psychology" is defined as "the application of psychological principles and techniques to situations that are involved in the civil and criminal legal systems, including, but not limited to, psychological assessments and expert testimony."

(c) Foreign Graduates. - Applicants trained in institutions outside the United States, applying for licensure at either the licensed psychologist or licensed psychological associate level, must show satisfactory evidence of training and degrees substantially equivalent to those required of applicants trained within the United States, pursuant to Board rules and regulations.

(d) Prior Licensure. - A person who is licensed in good standing as a licensed practicing psychologist or psychological associate under the provisions of the Practicing Psychologist Licensing Act in effect immediately prior to the ratification of this Psychology Practice Act shall be deemed, as of October 1, 1993 to have met all requirements for licensure under this act and shall be eligible for renewal of licensure in accordance with the provisions of this act.  (1967, c. 910, s. 11; 1971, c. 889, ss. 2, 3; 1975, c. 675, ss. 1, 2; 1977, c. 670, s. 7; 1979, c. 670, ss. 5, 6; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1176; 1981, c. 738, ss. 1, 2; 1983, c. 37, ss. 1, 2; c. 82, s. 4; 1985, c. 734, s. 7; 1987, c. 326, ss. 1, 2; c. 500, s. 1; 1989, c. 554; 1993, c. 375, s. 1; 1995, c. 509, s. 45; 2020-82, s. 1(a); 2025-37, s. 3(b).)