N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-387 — NC Code / Chapter 90 / Section 90-387
§ 90-387. Certification and examination
Status: in_force

(a) The Board shall issue a certificate to practice fee-based pastoral counseling to an applicant who:

(1) Pays an application fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00);

(2) Pays an examination fee set by the Board of not more than four hundred dollars ($400.00);

(3) Passes a Board examination in pastoral counseling;

(4) Submits evidence verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:

a. Is at least 21 years of age;

b. Is of good moral character;

c. Has received a masters of divinity or higher degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited educational institution;

d. Has received a masters or doctoral degree in pastoral counseling, or its equivalent, based on a planned and directed program of studies in pastoral counseling from an accredited educational institution; has completed satisfactorily one unit of full-time clinical pastoral education in a program accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, or its equivalent; and has completed at least 1,375 hours of pastoral counseling while receiving a minimum of 250 hours of supervision during those hours of pastoral counseling;

e. Is a member of a recognized denomination or faith group that recognizes the applicant's status as a rabbi, priest, minister, or religious leader, as defined in the Federal Internal Revenue Code;

f. Has completed three years of full-time work as a rabbi, priest, minister, or religious leader, or its equivalent;

g. Has been ordained, or its equivalent as determined by the applicant's denomination or faith group, and has been endorsed to function as a pastoral counselor; and

h. Has not within the preceding six months failed an examination given by the Board.

(b) The Board shall issue a certificate to practice as a fee-based pastoral counseling associate to an applicant who:

(1) Pays an application fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00);

(2) Pays an examination fee set by the Board of not more than four hundred dollars ($400.00);

(3) Passes an examination in pastoral counseling satisfactory to the Board;

(4) Submits evidence verified by oath and satisfactory to the Board that the applicant:

a. Is at least 21 years of age;

b. Is of good moral character;

c. Has received a masters of divinity or higher degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited educational institution;

d. Is a member of a recognized denomination or faith group that recognizes the applicant's status as a rabbi, priest, minister, or religious leader;

e. Has completed three years of full-time work as a rabbi, priest, minister, or religious leader, or its equivalent;

f. Has been ordained, or its equivalent as determined by the applicant's denomination or faith group, and has been endorsed to function as a pastoral counselor;

g. Has not within the preceding six months failed an examination given by the Board; and

h. Has satisfactorily completed one unit of full-time clinical pastoral education in a program accredited by the American Association for Clinical Education, or its equivalent, and has completed at least 375 hours of pastoral counseling including a minimum of 125 hours of supervision of those pastoral counseling hours.

(c) A pastoral counseling associate may become a certified fee-based practicing pastoral counselor if the applicant complies with the requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this section and pays an examination fee set by the Board of not more than four hundred dollars ($400.00).

(d) The examinations required by subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be in a form and content prescribed by the Board and shall be oral and written. The examinations shall be administered at least annually at a time and place to be determined by the Board.