A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT amending the professional counselors act to modify educational qualifications for the practice of counseling.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 90‑336(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The Board shall issue a license as a "licensed professional counselor associate" to an applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
"(1)	Has earned a specified  minimum of credit hours of graduate training as defined by the Board, including a master's degree in counseling or a related field from an institution of higher education that is: (i) regionally accredited or (ii) accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, as follows:
a.	If the applicant enrolled in the master's program before July 1, 2009, a minimum of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter minimum of credit hours.
b.	If the applicant enrolled in the master's program before July 1, 2013, but after June 30, 2009, a minimum of 54 semester hours or 81 quarter credit hours.
c.	If the applicant enrolled in the master's program after June 30, 2013, a minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credit hours. 
(2)	Repealed by Session Laws 2009‑367, s. 6, effective October 1, 2009.
(3)	Has passed an examination in accordance with rules adopted by the Board."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2015.