NC S300

Renames the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors to the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors and updates all associated terminology throughout statutes.

Authorizes the Board to establish a program for licensees experiencing substance use disorders, burnout, compassion fatigue, and other mental health concerns, including agreements with existing professional health care programs and referral authority as part of disciplinary process.

Permits the Board to license persons currently licensed in other states if requirements are substantially similar or exceed North Carolina standards and allows the Board to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.

Updates criminal history record check requirements to specify crimes relevant to licensure as a professional clinical mental health counselor, including felonies, certain misdemeanors, drug possession, and alcohol-related offenses.

Makes conforming changes throughout North Carolina General Statutes to reflect the board and profession name change, effective January 1, 2020.