How to Complete Your Licensure Application Without Getting Overwhelmed
As a former Clinical Coordinator for NC State University and Campbell University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs, one of my favorite parts of the job was helping students navigate the licensure process. And trust me — I’ve seen it all. I know firsthand that applying for licensure can feel overwhelming, confusing, and just plain stressful.
First of all, take a deep breath. It’s completely normal to feel this way. The good news? You’re not alone, and there’s a way to tackle this process without losing your mind. Let’s walk through it together.
Getting Started is the Hardest Part
The biggest hurdle for most people is simply getting started. When you have a million deadlines, internship responsibilities, and classes fighting for your attention, it’s no wonder this task falls to the bottom of the to-do list. Plus, it feels important — and important tasks can sometimes feel scarier to start.
Here’s your first simple step: Take five minutes and create your portal account. Head to https://portal.ncblcmhc.org/ and get that account set up.
That’s it. You don’t have to complete the whole application today. Just create your account. Then close your laptop and go do something fun for yourself.
You just took the first step — and that’s worth celebrating.
Set a Timeline Goal
Next, let’s get a timeline in place.
Ideally, I recommend completing your licensure application about four weeks before graduation. That gives you a buffer in case anything unexpected pops up (and let's be honest, it probably will).
If you can’t meet that timeline, aim for no later than your graduation date. Remember, you need your license in hand to officially start most counseling jobs, and licensure boards take time to review and approve applications. Give yourself the best head start you can.
Break It Down Into Small Steps
Big tasks feel way more manageable when you break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
Think about what works best for you:
If daily progress helps you stay on track: Spend 15 minutes a day working on small pieces of your application.
If you prefer bigger chunks of work: Block off an hour once a week and knock out a section at a time.
Pro tip: Many internship sites will count work related to your licensure application as indirect hours — meaning you can make progress on both your internship and your application at the same time. Win-win!
Ask for Help
Please hear me on this: You do not have to struggle through this alone.
If you get stuck, bring your questions to internship group supervision, text a classmate, or talk to your site supervisor. Chances are, someone else has had the exact same question — or already figured out the answer.
There are so many little details to juggle (and not all of them make perfect sense). You’re not “bothering” anyone by asking. We all needed help at some point, and your future self will be grateful you asked for clarification now rather than later.
Final Thoughts
Completing your licensure application can feel like a lot — and honestly, it is a lot. But you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s exactly why I created my Licensure Application Course — to give you a clear, simple, step-by-step roadmap to follow.
If you want to take the guesswork out of the process (and save yourself a lot of headaches), check out the course [link to course].
And if you need more personalized help, you can also book a one-hour consultation with me where I’ll walk you through all your questions and help you move forward with confidence.
You've come this far — you can absolutely finish strong. You’ve got this!
