Professional Licenses in North Carolina
North Carolina requires licenses for 95 professions tracked by LicenseCompass. Browse requirements, estimated costs, and timelines below.
Agent-Insurance Producer - Casualty
license Est. $225 4-8 weeks
Ambulatory Surgical Facility/To Operate
licenseAppraisal Management Company
license 6-24 months depending on tier
Apprentice (Cosmetology)
license Est. $200 9-14 months
Aquaculture Operation
licenseArchitect by Reciprocity
license 7-10 years (education + experience + exam)
Asbestos Accreditation
licenseAuctioneer
licenseAudiologist
license 3-6 months after AuD graduation
Bail Bond Runner
licenseBarber School
licenseBarber Shop
license Est. $275 9-12 months (including barber school)
Behavior Analyst
license 1-4 years depending on credential level
Boiler Inspector Commissions
licenseCertificated Remote Pilot (Drone pilot)
license 1-2 months (drone cert)
Certified General Real Estate Appraisers
certification 18+ months
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
certificationCertified Public Accountant (CPA) License/Certificate- Original
certification Est. $2,175 5-7 years (including degree)
Certified Social Worker
certification Est. $480 4-8 years (education + supervised experience) + 2-6 months (licensing)
Chiropractor Privilege
license 3-6 months after DC graduation
Commercial Drivers License (CDL)
license 2-6 weeks
Dental Hygiene License by Credentials
license 1-6 months depending on pathway
Dental Hygiene License by Credentials
license 2-3 years (education) + 2-4 months (licensing)
Dentist Privilege
license 4-8 years (dental school) + 3-6 months (licensing)
Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)
license 3-6 months
Elevators
licenseEmergency Medical Technician (EMT)
license 3-6 months
Esthetician
license 4-8 months
Esthetician Teacher
license Est. $460 4-5 years (including degree)
Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor Associate
license 2-4 years (including supervised experience)
Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor Associate
licenseFish Stocking Permits
permit Est. $500 2-4 months
Food Establishments
licenseFuel Alcohol Distiller
licenseFuneral Director
licenseGeneral Contractor
license 2-4 months
Geologist
licenseHearing Aid Dealer And Fitter
licenseHome Care Agency
licenseHome Inspector
license 4-8 weeks
Inspector (Waste Water)
licenseInterior Design Registration
registrationIrrigation Contractor
licenseLand Or Sell Fish
licenseLandscape Architect
licenseLead-Based Paint Management
licenseLicensed Acupuncturist
licenseLicensed Athletic Trainer
licenseLime Reporting
licenseLimited Nonresident Commercial Real Estate
license Est. $275 2-4 months
Locksmith License
licenseMarriage/Family Therapist Associate
license 4-6 years (master's degree + supervised experience)
Mass Gatherings
license Est. $500 2-4 months
Massage And Bodywork Therapist
license Est. $350 2-4 months
Medication Aide - Long Term Care/Skilled Nursing Facilities
licenseMortgage Loan Originator
license 1-3 months
Naturopath Privilege
licenseNotary Public - SPECIAL - See "Resources"
license 2-4 weeks
Nurse Practitioner
license 3-6 months after MSN/DNP graduation
Nursing Home Administrator
licenseOccupational Therapist
license 3-6 months
Occupational Therapy Assistant
licenseOptician Privilege
licenseOptometrist
license 3-6 months after O.D. graduation
Osteopathic Physician (DO)
license 3-6 months after residency completion
Paramedic
license 12-18 months
Pawnbroker Privilege
licensePay Telephone Providers (Customer Owned)
licensePerform Chemical Analyses/Breath/Blood
licensePest Control Consultant
license 3-12 months
Pharmacist by Examination
license Est. $1,180 3-6 months after PharmD graduation
Pharmacy Technician
license Est. $150 3-6 months
Pharmacy Technician
license 2-4 weeks
Physical Therapist
license 3-6 months after DPT graduation
Physical Therapy Assistants (Military Permits)
permitPhysician Assistant
license 3-6 months after PA program graduation
Podiatrist
licensePractical Nurse
license 12-18 months
Private Investigator
license 4-8 weeks
Professional Engineer
license 6-8 years (4-year degree + 4 years experience)
Professional Land Surveyor
license 6-8 years (education + experience + exams)
Psychologist Privilege
license 2-3 years post-doctorate
Public Adjuster (Insurance)
license 1-3 months
Real Estate Broker
license 4-8 months
Registered Nurse
registration Est. $400 2-4 years (education) + 1-3 months (licensing)
Respiratory Care Practitioner
license 2-4 months after program completion
Security Guard And Patrol Profession
licenseSpecial Restricted: Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
licenseSpeech and Language Pathologist
license 3-6 months after master's graduation
Tattooing
licenseTitle Insurance
licenseUnderground Storage Tank Facility: Registration & Operation
registration 4-5 years apprenticeship + licensing
Utility Generating Facility
license Est. $350 4-6 years
Veterinarian Privilege
license 4-8 years (veterinary school) + 3-6 months (licensing)