Licensed Psychological Associate – Independent Practice

Effective October 1, 2025, Licensed Psychological Associates (LPAs) are eligible to practice independently (unsupervised) as set forth in Session Law 2025-37/House Bill 67.

Those requirements include:

• At least 4,000 post-licensure supervised practice hours accumulated during a period of 24 – 60 consecutive months;
• All performance ratings for the 4,000 hours of post-licensure supervised practice hours were average or above average; and
• having HSP-PA certification or, if licensed before June 30, 2013, having accumulated at least 4,000 hours of supervised practice experience in health services during a period of 24-60 consecutive months

LPAs must submit an application to the Board prior to beginning independent practice. 

For additional details and instructions on how to apply for independent practice, click HERE.

About the Board

The North Carolina Psychology Board was created in 1967 to carry out provisions of the North Carolina Psychology Practice Act. The Board’s mission is to protect the public from the practice of psychology by unqualified persons and from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice psychology.

The Board is comprised of seven members appointed by the Governor to staggered terms of three years. At all times, three members are licensed psychologists, two members are licensed psychological associates, and two members are members of the public who are not licensed under the Act.