AN ACT to increase access to licensed mental health professionals for citizens in north carolina through reciprocity agreements for certain occupational licensing boards.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:

Article 18J.

Mental Health Professionals Licensure Reciprocity.

§ 90‑270.200.  Title; purpose.

This Article shall be known as and may be cited as the Mental Health Licensure Recognition Act. The purpose of this Article is to improve access to mental health care professionals for the citizens of North Carolina through reciprocity with other states.

§ 90‑270.201.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1)        Licensed clinical mental health counselor associate. – As defined in G.S. 90‑330.

(2)        Licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor. – As defined in G.S. 90‑330.

(3)        Licensed marriage and family therapist. – As defined in G.S. 90‑270.47.

(4)        Licensed marriage and family therapy associate. – As defined in G.S. 90‑270.47.

(5)        Licensed mental health professional. – A licensed clinical mental health counselor associate, licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor, licensed marriage and family therapy associate, licensed marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.

(6)        Psychiatrist. – Licensed in accordance with Article 1 of this Chapter.

(7)        Psychologist. – As defined in G.S. 90‑270.136.

§ 90‑270.202.  Reciprocity; licensure.

(a)        A licensed mental health professional licensed or certified in another State shall be able to practice in their respective scopes of licensure in this State under the appropriate licensing board in accordance with this Article. A licensed mental health professional seeking to qualify for licensure under this Article shall comply with the following criteria:

(1)        Apply for licensure with the appropriate licensing board.

(2)        Pay any appropriate fees set by statute or rule for the application and criminal background check.

(3)        Comply with any application requirements under Chapter 93B of the General Statutes.

(4)        Provide a social security number to the licensing board.

(5)        Has engaged in the active practice of the occupation for which the person is seeking a license or certification from the occupational licensing board in this State for at least two of the five years preceding the date of the application under this section.

(6)        Has not committed any act in any jurisdiction that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice that occupation in this State at the time the act was committed and has no pending complaints.

(b)        No later than 60 days after receipt of an application from a licensed mental health professional under this Article, an occupational licensing board shall either issue a license or certification or notify the applicant when the applicant does not qualify under this Article for licensure or certification. If the applicant has a pending complaint in another jurisdiction, the occupational licensing board shall notify the applicant of the refusal for licensure under this section.

(c)        Nothing in this Article shall be construed to supersede or invalidate any existing interstate compact or reciprocity agreement, including Articles 24A and 18H of this Chapter, entered into by the State or an occupational licensing board that licenses or certifies applicants pursuant to this Article.

SECTION 2.  The Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors, North Carolina Psychology Board, North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board, and the North Carolina Medical Board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2025.