Frequently Asked Questions

National certification can be a continuing source of career enhancement and pride for counseling professionals. It demonstrates to clients and employers that a professional counselor has met national standards. Some of the benefits are:

Career Enhancement/Salary Supplementation
NBCC supports state and local initiatives that award salary increases to counselors holding NBCC credentials.

Referrals through CounselorFind
The CounselorFind feature of the NBCC Web site helps people looking for counseling services to find the name, city, state, and business phone number of active NCCs in their community.

Low Cost Liability Insurance
Through Lockton Affinity, NCCs have access to low-cost liability insurance.

Protecting Counselors’ Rights
NBCC is a founding and supporting member of the Fair Access Coalition on Testing (FACT) which actively supports counselors’ rights in cases where those rights are challenged.

Lobbyist in Washington
NBCC’s lobbyist is working hard to ensure that counselors are included in Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare and other federal programs. NBCC’s CCMHC credential is accepted by Tricare for third party reimbursement. The NBCC MAC credential is accepted by the DOT for inclusion in SAP training and credentialing.

Supporting Disaster Volunteer Work
NBCC works closely with the Red Cross and other agencies in times of disaster to facilitate NCCs’ volunteer efforts by verifying credentials and acting as a contact point for agencies seeking volunteers.

Credential Verification
NBCC maintains a NCC registry so that employers and clients can verify a professional’s certification online. NBCC also verifies credentials by phone or fax for employers and insurance companies.

GSA-NCC applicants have several advantages:

• A head start on the NCC credentialing process
• Lower NCC application fee
• Access to reduced rates on student liability insurance
• Convenient on-campus testing site
• Increased professional identity and pride.
• A powerful career development tool
• Career guidance through StudentWorks on the NBCC Website

Beyond the benefits to students, counselor preparation programs are advantaged by the ability to collect aggregate score information on students’ performance and compare it with national statistics.

NBCC’s role:

• Provide campus coordinators with school roster, school instructions, and applications for distribution to eligible students interested in pursuing the NCC credential.
• Perform professional review of candidates’ applications according to NBCC eligibility requirements.
• Communicate with campus coordinator and/or students as needed to resolve application issues.
• Provide testing materials and instructions to the designated campus exam administrator.
• Release confidential score reports to individual participants and aggregate results to participating counselor preparation programs.
• Pay exam administrators and proctors.

Campus Coordinator’s role:

• Return the Intent to Participate form with an estimate of the number of applications needed for the current GSA cycle (April or October).
• Distribute application materials to well-advanced students.
• Ensure that students understand they are applying for national certification (the NCC credential, not state licensure and not just an exam).
• Collect applications and check them for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Prepare the campus roster of eligible student applicants.
• Submit applications to NBCC as a group with the campus roster by the published deadline.
• Handle student questions about the certification and application process.
• dentify an exam administrator who is not involved in awarding academic credit or grades to counseling students and who is familiar with the administration of standardized examinations. Coordinate with that person as needed to arrange for an exam site and appropriate conditions for testing, including accommodations for examinees with special needs or those who are Saturday Sabbath observers.

Note: Careful attention to detail helps NBCC process students' applications efficiently.

Student's role:

• Review GSA-NCC eligibility criteria on p3 of the application.
• Review MY NCC GUIDE and file it for future reference.
• Read the application form and carefully follow all instuctions.
• Complete the application honestly and thoroughly
• Make payment using a money order made out to NBCC
• Identify any need for special examination accommodations (#10 on the application) and/or whether a "site switch" is needed for the exam location.

NBCC

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is a private, non-profit organization, run by professional counselors, that administers a US national professional certification program for individuals who hold graduate degrees in the field of counseling. Since its inception in 1982, the NBCC has become the primary credentialing organization for counselors in the United States and has recently initiated a worldwideeffort, in conjunction with the World Health Organization to identify, assist, and encourage mental health programs on a global level.

National Certification

National certification in professional counseling is an achievement affirming that a counselor has met national standards determined within the profession itself. National certification was developed to promote visibility and accountability in the counseling profession. It also promotes professional identity and pride, and can act as a job search booster for those who will eventually work in more than one state. In contrast to applying for state licensure, applying for the NCC credential must be a completely voluntary act.

National Certified Counselor (NCC)

The NCC is NBCC’s most basic professional counseling credential. The end product of an application for national certification is the right to call oneself an NCC. Counselors who hold this credential must have a qualifying master’s or doctoral degree, pass a national exam, adhere to a strict code of ethics, and participate in continuing education activities. IMPORTANT NOTE: The NCC credential isn't required for independent practice; it is not the same as or a substitute for a state license to practice.

GSA-NCC

The Graduate Student Applications program for the National Certified Counselor (GSA-NCC) credential provides an avenue for currently enrolled students and very recent graduates to begin the application process for national certification. Students from participating schools may apply through the Campus Coordinators at their schools. The Campus Coordinator (usually a faculty or staff member) provides administrative support in the process, allowing NBCC to offer the NCC application fee at a lower rate than the rate for non-participants.

National Counselor Exam (NCE)

Passing the National Counselor Exam is one requirement for national certification. Many states also require passage of the National Counselor Exam as one requirement for state licensure. Currently 42 states use the NCE for such purposes; NBCC acts as a testing company for them. NCCs and Board Eligible NCCs in good standing may ask to have their NCE score reports sent to a state licensure board. Information about when and how to do so is provided on the MY NCC GUIDE in the application folder.

Board Eligible NCC

Board Eligible is an application status that applies to individuals who are working on their post-graduate experience and supervision requirements for full certification. It is an interim status between applicant and full certificant. Board Eligible NCCs have passed the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and have submitted a final, official transcript documenting degree conferral. When all requirements are met, Board Eligible candidates may upgrade to become National Certified Counselors.

IMPORTANT NOTE: post-graduate experience and supervision requirements for the NCC are waived for GSA applicants from CACREP-accredited tracks.

CACREP

CACREP is the acronym for Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. It is an independent agency that accredits graduate degree programs in counseling and other related fields. For a directory of accredited programs, visit www.cacrep.org.

State Licensure

Licensure is required by nearly all states for professionals going into private practice and expecting to receive third party payments. Its standards are set by legislators in each state. State licensure typically requires a master's or doctoral degree, two to three years of supervised clinical experience, and the passage of an examination. Today 49 states and the District of Columbia have enacted licensure laws for professional counselors. Once a governmental body, such as a state legislature, has passed a licensure law, it becomes illegal for any individual who is not licensed by the state to engage in the activities of the licensed occupation. Violators are subject to fines and/or imprisonment. Professional counselors who are fully state licensed may apply for the NCC using a special exam exempt application if they have previously passed the NCE. Its application fee is $75.

• Completion of an eligible Master’s degree or higher in counseling. This achievement is documented with a sealed, official transcript showing degree conferral.
• Graduate-level credit of 2 semester hours or greater in 8 content areas and at least 6 semester hours of field experience.
• Content Area Requirements
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Social and Cultural Foundations
  • Helping Relationships
  • Group Work
  • Career and Lifestyle Development
  • Appraisal
  • Research and Program Evaluation
  • Professional Orientation to Counseling
  • Field Experience (in a counseling setting)
• Passing score on the National Counselor Exam (NCE).
• Documentation of post-graduate counseling experience and supervision: 3,000 hours with a minimum of 100 hours of counseling supervision--both over a 24-month post-master’s period. Supervisors must hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health field. (Important Note: The work experience requirement is waived and the supervision requirement is reduced for graduates of CACREP-accredited tracks.)

Application Phase

• Receive GSA-NCC application from the university’s campus coordinator.
• Determine eligibility for GSA program (see eligibility chart on GSA-NCC application).
• Students submit application and application fees (money orders only) to campus coordinator.
• Students receive notice from campus coordinator or from NBCC of any problems or issues with application.

Exam Phase

• Receive pre-exam E-newsletter from NBCC
• Receive examination admission letter with NBCC ID #.
• Take National Counselor Exam.
• Receive score report.
• If failed, re-register for exam (NBCC will provide instructions with score report).
• If passed, complete remaining credentialing requirements (NBCC will provide instructions). CACREP and non-CACREP accredited program applicants will have different requirements and different instructions.
• Receive post-exam E-newsletter from NBCC.

Post-Graduate Phase

• Upon graduation, provide NBCC with a sealed, official transcript documenting degree conferral and completion of all NBCC required coursework areas.
• Provide a signed Counseling Supervisor’s Endorsement Form, showing at least one hour of counseling supervision completed.
• (Board Eligible applicants only) Submit documentation of completing post-graduate experience and supervision requirements.
• Receive full certification and NCC certificate in the US mail.
• Receive NBCC Continuing Education File folder for tracking required continuing education hours.
• Pay annual maintenance fee ($60) to maintain good standing.
• Consider the need for NBCC specialty credentials: NCSC, MAC, CCMHC.

The National Counselor Exam is just one requirement for the NCC credential. In keeping with the voluntary nature of the credential, the NCE may not be used as a departmental comprehensive or as a graduation requirement.

Exam Adminstrator Role

The Exam Administrator is identified by the campus coordinator to administer the NCE to registered GSA-NCC applicants on a pre-determined testing date in April and/or October. Because of potential conflict of interest, the Exam Administrator may not be involved in grading or awarding academic credit to the examinees. The individual should however, have familiarity with the administration of standardized examinations. S/he will arrange for the exam location and any special accommodations approved by NBCC. An Exam Administrators Manual with complete instructions is provided by the NBCC Examinations Department several months before the exam. The exam booklets and exam roster are mailed to the Exam Administrator about one week before the exam NBCC staff members are available on the exam date to resolve any issues which may arise that day.

Exam Structure

The NCE is a 200-item non-sectioned test that relies on CACREP standards for derivation of content and a job analysis for the derivation of context. Its purpose is to assess knowledge of counseling information that is deemed necessary for effective counselor functioning. While the NCE is primarily a knowledge-based achievement test, it includes some practice related items. CACREP’s eight core areas constitute the eight content domains of the exam and thus form the theoretical basis for it.

Each question contains an item stem and four response choices. There is only one correct response to each item. As much as possible, awkward, difficult, and “tricky” wording has been eliminated. While the exam is scheduled for a 4-hour period, most examinees complete the exam in 2 ½ to 3 hours.

Special Accomodations

Special testing accommodations can be arranged at no cost for students with special needs. Applicant instructions can be found on page 3 of the application. Be sure students check the special accommodations box in #5 on the first page. Campus coordinators will check the Special Accommodations box on the roster.

Time extensions, reading/recording assistance, and translation dictionaries are examples of special accommodations. Students who cannot sit for the exam on a Saturday for religious reasons may also be accommodated. Students with special needs should include a written request in their application folders along with supporting documentation.

Because of the time required to make special testing arrangements, NBCC asks that these requests be made at least 45 days in advance of the examination date. Accommodations for requests submitted less than 45 days in advance cannot be guaranteed.

Study Aids

A list of study guide titles is advertised on the NBCC Website. Since these tools are designed for varying learning styles and preferences, NBCC does not endorse any particular one. NBCC itself publishes an Official NCE Preparation Guide for $24.95. It describes the NCE design and construction and includes over 100 sample questions. A complimentary copy is available upon request for new GSA-NCC institutions.

Site Switching

Most GSA-NCC examinees appreciate being able to test on campus in a familiar environment. Occasionally someone needs to test elsewhere for personal reasons. And occasionally, a campus may not reach the minimum number of applications (3) necessary for NBCC to justify offering the exam on campus. In these instances, students may elect to test at one of NBCC’s public testing sites on the same day. Most states have at least two such locations for each exam cycle—October and April. Students who want to or need to test away from their universities should place a simple note in the application folder indicating their location preference. Public sites are listed on the NBCC We site at http://www.nbcc.org/certifications/ncc/NCE.aspx. They must also add $25 to the application fee to cover NBCC’s costs of making the change.

Exam Scoring

Fourteen independent scores are generated from the exam—one for each of the eight CACREP content areas, one for each of the five job analysis areas, and one for the sum of correct answers or total. The cutoff or passing score is based on the total score. It is determined by a particular statistical technique-- the modified Angoff method.

Within six to eight weeks of the examination, GSA-NCC applicants will receive in the mail an individualized score report itemizing scores for the 13 domains and including a total score. Means and standard deviations are included for each domain and the total for those taking the NCE at the same time. The passing score is indicated along with designation of whether the examinee met or surpassed the minimum criterion.

Participating institutions will receive aggregate results of the students’ exam performance about 12 weeks after the exam. Individually identifiable statistics are not provided.

Score Release Policies

Once students have

• passed the NCE,
• graduated and submitted a final transcript
• and turned in their Counseling Supervisor's Endorsement form,

they may ask (in writing) to have their official NCE score report sent to a third party. The cost is $20. Detailed instructions are on the applicant’s copy of MY NCC GUIDE and are also available at www.nbcc.org/certifications/ScoreVerification.aspx

Deferring or Failing

Occasionally applicants must miss the exam for personal reasons or must retake the exam. Since they have already applied and been approved to test, NBCC does not ask them to reapply. Instead, they are instructed on how to re-register for the exam.

• To re-register, GSA applicants will complete the re-registration form mailed to them by NBCC. Note: GSA-NCC application folders are only for new, first-time applicants.
• Registered applicants who notify NBCC at least 30 days in advance of the test date that they will not be attending will have their re-registration fees waived, but must still submit the re-registration form with their site and date choices.
• When there are extenuating circumstances in the last 30 days before the exam date which will preclude an applicant’s attendance at the exam, the applicant may request a waiver of the re-registration fee. Requests should be made in writing and should be sent with supporting documentation to:
  
  NBCC Certification Department
  3 Terrace Way
  Greensboro, NC 27403

Advising Alumni Applicants

• Very recent alums may apply for the NCC under the GSA program as long as they will test within six months of their graduation date.
• Alums who are not eligible for the NCC through the GSA program should check online to determine if they may be eligible for the non-student NCC application process. Steer them to this link for an eligibility checklist: http://www.nbcc.org/checklist2.
• Alums who are fully state-licensed in counseling, but not yet NCCs, may apply using a special NCC application (Option D). Steer them to this link for information on this pathway to certification: http://www.nbcc.org/certifications/ncc/Default.aspx

Advising Alumni Who Are Rescheduling or Retaking the Exam

• NBCC will handle communications with GSA applicants who need to reschedule or retake the NCE. Should any of these individuals want to test on campus along with current student applicants, they may so indicate on their re-registration form. NBCC will notify campus coordinators with the names of any re-registrants in this category. Campus coordinators have the right to deny permission for alumni to test on campus. When that happens, NBCC will assist the individual in selecting one of NBCC’s public testing sites.

Cost

Doctoral students pay a slightly higher GSA-NCC application fee than master’s level applicants because review of their academic and experiential records is more time consuming and complex.

Eligibility

Some doctoral students may be eligible for the GSA-NCC on the strength of their master’s degree if it was earned in a CACREP-accredited program. For others, coursework eligibility may be determined by review of both the master’s and doctoral transcripts, or by the doctoral transcript alone.

Transcripts

All doctoral applicants must submit a current transcript documenting enrollment. If they hold a master’s in counseling, then they must also submit an unofficial master’s transcript; an official one will be required eventually. For those whose master’s degree is not in counseling, an official doctoral transcript showing degree conferral will eventually be required before the applicant can be certified and before the NCE results can be sent to a state licensure board.

Simple Instructions

The GSA-NCC application contains special instructions for doctoral applicants on page 3.

Decision to Apply

The timing of when to apply through the GSA program can be important for doctoral students. Doctoral applicants should be well-advanced in their coursework. Those who are not from CACREP tracks must consider the 3-year period allowed for Board Eligible GSAs to complete their post-graduate experience and supervision. The dissertation timeframe can sometimes conflict. NBCC grants 3 one-year extensions to Board Eligible applicants. CACREP doctoral students with non-counseling master’s degrees should be aware that a completed doctorate is required for certification and score release.

NBCC offers a specialty credential for school counselors called the National Certified School Counselor credential (NCSC). To be eligible for a specialty credential, individuals must already hold the NCC. After obtaining the NCC and accruing three years of post graduate supervised work experience as a school counselor, they may be eligible to apply for the NCSC. Another exam is required to obtain this credential. It is the National Certified School Counselor Examination (NCSCE).

There is a combination application for those wishing to obtain the NCC and the NCSC at the same time, but it is only available to those who have completed their advanced degrees and have accrued at least three years of post-graduate supervised work experience as a school counselor. Therefore, GSA applicants are not eligible to apply. A graduate student interested in the NCSC should first obtain the NCC credential and then use the single NCSC application once all experience requirements have been met.

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE)

The CPCE is widely used by counselor preparation programs as an exit exam. It is a paper and pencil exam consisting of 160 items—20 per each CACREP area. Institutions may add their own items. NBCC scores the exam and reports a total score with 8 section scores for each student. In addition to their own aggregate statistics, participating schools receive a comparison with national data. (Contact cce@cce-global.org)

Continuing Education Provider Approval Service

NBCC believes access to quality continuing education is vital. NCCs are required to complete 100 clock hours of continuing education in each 5-year certification period. To facilitate this, NBCC reviews the programs and education offered by continuing education providers. Companies approved by NBCC meet stringent standards for quality and content. NBCC currently has about 1000 approved continuing education providers and has approved over 800 single continuing education events. (Contact: garland@nbcc.org)

Career and Personality Assessment Instruments

NCCs may purchase psychological tests and interpretive reports developed for professional counselors. These tools, offered at a discounted rate to NCCs, are the result of collaboration between NBCC and the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing, Inc (IPAT). The two assessment reports which are available now are: the Personal Career Development Profile Plus and the PsychEval Personality Questionnaire Interpretation. For more information, see www.nbcc.org/ipat.

Application Pre-Reviews for Non-Students

Pre-reviews can be conducted to determine whether a non-student interested in applying for the NCC meets the educational requirements for national certification. Some alumni who have been out of school for a period of years may not be certain whether their coursework and/or degree meet NBCC’s requirements. The cost of a pre-review is $120 and is non-refundable. (Contact: certification@nbcc.org)

CounselorFind Referral Service

CounselorFind is an easily accessible area of the NBCC Website (www.nbcc.org) designed to help individuals find a professional counselor. All of the counselors in this directory are NCCs who have voluntarily chosen to be listed. Visitors to CounselorFind may search by name, location and/or area of practice. To find a counselor outside of the United States, individuals may email NBCC at counselorlist@nbcc.org to request country specific information. NBCC will then send a list by email.

Study Aids

A list of study guides is available on the NBCC Website (www.nbcc.org/study). Since these tools are designed for a varying learning styles and preferences, NBCC does not endorse any particular one. NBCC itself publishes an Official NCE Preparation Guide for $24.95. It describes the NCE design and construction and includes over 100 sample questions. A complimentary copy is available upon request for new GSA-NCC institutions.

Professional Liability Insurance

All counselors, including students in training, face professional and financial liability risks. NBCC offers students easy access to quality, affordable professional liability insurance. The NBCC-endorsed insurance program allows students to apply, receive a quote and buy the policy online within minutes. Coverage begins immediately. To learn more, go to nbcc.lockton-ins.com.

Specialty Credentials

Qualified NCCs who work as school counselors, clinical mental health counselors, and addictions counselors may obtain additional specialized credentials through NBCC. The following certifications are available: National Certified School Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and The Master Addictions Counselor. To obtain a specialty credential, additional education, experience and examinations requirements must be met. For detailed information, visit www.nbcc.org/certifications/Default.aspx

Approaches to publicizing the GSA program vary from campus to campus. Classroom presentations and/or discussion in advanced classes are very useful particularly in helping students distinguish between national certification and state licensure. Descriptive email announcements can also be effective. It is important that students understand the voluntary nature of the NCC credential and independently choose to apply.

Important points to make about the GSA-NCC opportunity are:

• This is an application program for national certification, not just for an examination.
• The final outcome of this process is the NCC credential which requires maintenance and updating throughout one’s career.
• There are several requirements for the NCC credential, only one of which is passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE).
• In many states but not all, the NCE score obtained through the GSA application program may be acceptable for state licensure.
• Benefits of this credential include: a referral system, affordable liability insurance, advocacy on behalf of the profession, protection of the integrity of the counseling profession, salary supplementation in some states.

MYTHS to dispel:

• With the GSA-NCC application, students are only applying for an exam.
• With the GSA-NCC application, students are applying for state licensure.
• Once certified, always certified.
• National certification = portability and takes the place of a state license.

MY NCC Guide

Within each application is a condensed practical guide to the NCC credential: benefits, application procedures, certification requirements, score reports, and continuing education requirements. The guide is designed for safekeeping. Please urge students to make use of this informational tool.

Please contact Mona Olds, GSA-NCC Coordinator, at olds@nbcc.org with questions about:

• Procedures
• Applicants and Eligibility
• Requests for Applications
• Deadline Extensions
• Your Roster

Please contact Patti Brown Irving, Assessment Coordinator, at brown@nbcc.org with questions about:

• Exam Administrators
• Exam Administration
• Special Accommodations

Please contact the Certification Department, at certification@nbcc.org with questions about:

• Re-registration
• Non-student application process
• Post-graduate requirements

In addition to the email addresses above, you can also reach us by fax or phone:

Telephone: 336-547-0607
Fax: 336-547-0017