North Carolina Association of Professional Psychologists

Since our founding in 1994, the North Carolina Association of Professional Psychologists has advocated for positive change in the laws governing mental health care in North Carolina.

An ongoing effort has been to advocate for independent practice by LPAs, with many initiatives along the way to mitigate the inequities and negative consequences of supervision to ourselves and the people we serve.

Although we have not yet achieved our independence through an appropriate amendment to North Carolina’s Psychology Practice Act, we have relentlessly stated our case to all who would hear us. In the process, NCAPP has developed powerful allies among the state’s legislators.

Clearly, we have demonstrated our determination and our unwillingness to back down until we prevail, and we are well-positioned to launch a new legislative initiative in the next long session to win our professional independence at last.

Here are highlights of what we’ve accomplished so far:

• In 1996, NCAPP strongly advocated for the passage of HB452, a bill to amend the Psychology Practice Act. Although HB452 did not ultimately succeed, we established our association as a credible, determined advocate for North Carolina’s Licensed Psychological Associates and the citizens we serve.
• In 1998, NCAPP brought the issue of perpetual supervision to the attention of the North Carolina Psychology Board, prompting the board to reduce supervision requirements. As a result, LPAs have since saved thousands of dollars in supervision costs every year and because of the reduced costs, publicly-funded agencies have been more willing to hire LPAs.
• In 2003, Governor Mike Easley signed North Carolina House Bill 1049 into law. The bill added LPAs to Freedom of Choice legislation and changed the wording in the NC State Health Plan to facilitate reimbursements for our services. Though admittedly a compromise, NCAPP board members worked diligently on its passage and considered the bill a positive step toward parity with other masters-level clinicians and an affirmation of our value and legitimacy as providers of mental health care services.
• In 2006, when the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services released its service definitions, an alert NCAPP member realized that LPAs had been excluded from performing diagnostic assessments for Local Management Entities. She brought the omission to NCAPP’s attention, and our legislative team had the provision changed to include LPAs.
• Also in 2006, NCAPP helped secure reimbursements for LPAs’ services by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, North Carolina Health Choice and the State Health Plan.
• In 2007, NCAPP was among 48 state mental health-related organizations supporting House Bill 654, which mandated parity with physical health care coverage for mental health care and substance abuse treatment.