Certification

National Certified Counselor (NCC) is the premier counseling board certification. Earning board certification demonstrates to your colleagues and the public that you have voluntarily met high national standards for the practice of counseling.

Those standards include demonstrating a mastery of counseling knowledge and skills by completing a graduate degree from a regionally accredited or Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) counseling program, passing a rigorous national examination, the documentation of work experience and supervision requirements, and subscribing to the highest ethical and practice standards.

Review benefits of board certification

What Does Board Certification Mean for You?

Obtaining board certification through NBCC:

Shows the public and employers that you have met high national standards for education, training, and experience. You can display these through a digital badge.
Enhances your professional reputation and credibility, and provides you with a sense of personal accomplishment.
Offers both you and your clients the protection of an enforceable Code of Ethics.
Demonstrates your commitment to continued professional development and skills expansion.
Increases your opportunities for career advancement and increased earnings.
Provides opportunities for you to contribute to advocacy efforts for the counseling profession.

Board Certification
and Licensure

Confused about the difference between board certification and licensure?

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Are You Eligible for a Specialty Certification?

NBCC offers additional certifications for you to enhance your professional credentials.

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Do You Have an Eligible Degree?

To become board certified, you must have a degree that meets NBCC’s minimum requirements.

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What is the process for becoming an NCC?

To become a National Certified Counselor, you must have an eligible degree and have earned a passing score on either the NCE or the NCMHCE, meet supervision and work experience requirements, and comply with conduct standards.

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	Board Certification	State License
What is it?	NBCC’s certification is a voluntary credential representing to members of the public and potential employers that the counselor has met national standards set by the counseling profession. The flagship certification offered by NBCC is the National Certified Counselor (NCC), and it is the largest national certification in the world.	State licensure is permission from a particular state government to practice counselor or identify oneself as a licensed counselor. Some states have a single license and some have a two-tiered system. Laws differ from state to state.
What is it called?	NBCC offers the National Certified Counselor (NCC) and three specialty certifications in addictions, clinical mental health and school counseling.	Licensure titles differ due to the different laws. The most common titles are: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). Issued by each state regulatory board.
What is its purpose?	Board certification helps potential clients and members of the public recognize professionals who have voluntarily met standards set by the counseling profession. It provides a mechanism for employers and members of the public to have concerns reviewed.	Licensure is designed to legally define who can use the title of a licensed counselor and/or who can provide counseling services in a particular state.
What are the requirements?	In order to earn board certification, counselors must complete a master’s degree or higher in counseling with a major study in counseling. They must complete 3,000 hours of counseling experience and 100 hours of supervision both over a two-year post-master’s time period unless they graduate from a CACREP -accredited program.	The requirements vary in accordance with different state laws. All require a master’s degree, a number of counseling experience hours and a period of supervision.
What is the associated exam(s)?	NCCs must pass either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Those with specialty certifications must pass exams specific to their specialty.	State licensure boards use one or both of NBCC’s examinations - the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

Board Certification

What Does Board Certification Mean for You?

Board Certification and Licensure

Are You Eligible for a Specialty Certification?

Do You Have an Eligible Degree?

What is the process for becoming an NCC?

Questions About Board Certification?

Understanding National Certification and State Licensure

Board Certification
and Licensure