A new bill filed by State Rep. Wyatt Gable in the North Carolina House seeks to update licensure requirements for marriage and family therapists, focusing on reciprocity and applicant screening procedures, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 727 on April 2 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Marriage/Family Therapy Mods.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill modifies the laws for marriage and family therapy licensure in North Carolina, specifically regarding reciprocal licenses and criminal history checks for applicants. It mandates the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board to issue reciprocal licenses to applicants who meet certain criteria, including being licensed in another state, having an unrestricted license in good standing, and passing specific examinations. It also updates the definitions applicable to criminal history record checks for licensure applicants. The board is authorized to implement rules for these provisions. The act becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025, applying to licensure applications submitted on or after that date.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Diane Wheatley and Timothy Reeder, MD proposed the most bills (29) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Gable graduated from East Carolina University in 2025 with a BS.
Gable, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 14th House district, replacing previous state representative George Cleveland.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyatt Gable, Diane Wheatley, Hugh Blackwell, and Timothy Reeder, MD | HB 727 | 04/02/2025 | Marriage/Family Therapy Mods. |
| Wyatt Gable, Brian Turner, Jake Johnson, and Mike Clampitt | HB 721 | 04/02/2025 | Muddy Sneakers/St. Gerard House. |
| Wyatt Gable, David Willis, Jake Johnson, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 584 | 03/31/2025 | Permit/Provisional License Modifications. |
| Wyatt Gable, Cody Huneycutt, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 568 | 03/27/2025 | 2025 Omnibus Labor Amendments.-AB |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 526 | 03/26/2025 | Funds for Onslow Co. Sheriff’s Office. |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 527 | 03/26/2025 | Funds for Swansboro Rd Maintenance. |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 528 | 03/26/2025 | Funds for Coastal Carolina Community College. |
| Wyatt Gable, Allison A. Dahle, John R. Bell, IV, and Mark Brody | HB 520 | 03/25/2025 | Abuse and Deception by Telemarketers. |
| Wyatt Gable, Brian Biggs, Neal Jackson, and Steve Tyson | HB 411 | 03/17/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period for Primaries. |
| Wyatt Gable, Donnie Loftis, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 384 | 03/12/2025 | Nat. Guard Tax Deduction for Fed. Pay. |
| Wyatt Gable | HB 359 | 03/10/2025 | Jacksonville Infrastructure Fund. |
| Wyatt Gable and Phil Shepard | HB 333 | 03/06/2025 | Jacksonville/ETJ Prohibited. |
| Wyatt Gable, Blair Eddins, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Keith Kidwell | HB 98 | 02/11/2025 | Patriotism Expression Act. |
| Wyatt Gable, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Blair Eddins, and Keith Kidwell | HB 72 | 02/10/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| Wyatt Gable, Jonathan L. Almond, Keith Kidwell, and Steve Tyson | HB 89 | 02/10/2025 | University Vaccination Freedom Act. |
| Wyatt Gable, Keith Kidwell, Paul Scott, and Steve Tyson | HB 66 | 02/05/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period. |
