General Information for Applicants

Pathways to Licensure

Please review each type of licensure, including its qualifications and requirements.

Types of Licensure

Example Application Process & Timing

A

Register For an Online Gateway Account

Timing Dependent on Applicant

B

Complete Online Application

Timing Dependent on Applicant

C

Upload Required Documents

  • Log into your Gateway Account, click on Pending Application, then click on Notice for Required Documentation. Use the Application Checklist to upload required documents.
  • Required documents vary depending on application type and legal responses.

Timing Dependent on Applicant

  • New applications are reviewed by staff within two to three business days of submission.
  • Applicants will receive a personalized follow-up email from info@ncbdn.org.
  • Please be sure to add info@ncbdn.org and gateway@ncbdn.org to your safe-sender list and check your spam/junk folders.
D

Fingerprinting for Criminal Background Check

  • Applicant goes to get fingerprinting done and submitted.
  • Instructions sent via email in Step B and posted here.

Timing Dependent on Applicant

  • Fingerprints submitted by paper (Out of State) or by LiveScan (in-state) take three to five weeks for processing.

Timing dependent on mail delivery and NCSBI.

  • Upon receipt of paper background check report from NCSBI, our staff completes CBC line item within one business day. If applicant has uploaded all requirements noted in staff email, the application is approved in real-time.

Application Guidance Tutorials for Applicants

Please use the tutorials linked below to help create a Gateway account, understand what will be asked on the online application, and get familiar with the process.

Application Guidance

Licensure Expire Dates & Renewals
Legal Citation: Per 21 NCAC 17 .0109
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Any license issued in a calendar year, will be issued through March 31st of the following calendar year, no matter how many months are left in any given year. For example, please be aware that if you are issued a license in December, it will only be issued through March 31st of the following year, before which you would need to renew the license. There is no provision for pro-rating of fees.

Incomplete Applications
Legal Citation: 21 NCAC 17 .0104(f)
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Incomplete applications expire and will be canceled automatically after four months. There is a non-refundable application fee of $60. A required documentation checklist is sent via email immediately following the submission of your application. Please check your junk/spam folders for instructions from gateway@ncbdn.org and info@ncbdn.org.

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All new applicants for any category of licensure are subject to a criminal background check. This will appear as a checklist item and requires your action to obtain fingerprinting to initiate it. The background check component of the licensure application can take up to four (4) weeks to process.

It requires your action to initiate this check by getting fingerprinted. Throughout this process, please ensure you check your email and spam/junk filters; you will be updated only via email throughout the progression of your application.

Apply Online

Our application process takes place through the NCBDN Gateway. The Gateway provides a single, secure portal for prospective licensees to access all license applications and upload required documentation.