AN ACT to modify the laws of marriage and family therapy licensure.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 90‑270.56 reads as rewritten:

§ 90‑270.56.  Reciprocal licenses.

The Board may shall issue a license as a marriage and family therapist or a marriage and family therapy associate by reciprocity to any person who applies for the license as prescribed by the Board and who at all times during the application process:

(1)        Has been licensed for five continuous years and is Is currently licensed as a marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapy associate in another state.state and meets one of the following:

a.         Has passed the Board's examination on jurisprudence that is limited to testing the applicant's knowledge of the law and rules of this State.

b.         Has been licensed for two continuous years.

(2)        Has an unrestricted license in good standing in the other state.

(3)        Has no unresolved complaints in any jurisdiction.

(4)        Has passed the National Marriage and Family Therapy examination.examination or the clinical examination required by the licensing board that regulates marriage and family therapy in the State of California.

SECTION 2.  G.S. 90‑270.63 reads as rewritten:

§ 90‑270.63.  Criminal history record checks of applicants for licensure as a marriage and family therapist and a marriage and family therapy associate.

(a)        Definitions. – The following definitions shall apply in this section:

(1)        Applicant. – A person applying for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapy associate pursuant to G.S. 90‑270.54A or licensed marriage and family therapist pursuant to G.S. 90‑270.54.G.S. 90‑270.54 or G.S. 90‑270.56.

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SECTION 3.  The North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to applications for licensure on or after that date.