Contact

Credentialing Gateway
CCENBCCFEBCC
CCENBCCFEBCC
Overview

NCC
NCSC
CCMHC
MAC
Specialty Certifications
Schedule
Overview

Exam Development
NCE
NCMHCE
Exam Administration
Accommodations
Exam Security
Exam Preparation
DSM-5-TR Overview
SME
ESBR
Score Report
Scam Alert
Overview

Exam Registration
Military Health Systems
Overview

Federal Resources
Federal Employment
Federal Funding
Indian Health Service
Legislative Policy Map
Medicare
Military Health Systems
TRICARE
PARC
Overview

Action Center
Newsroom
Advocacy
Minority Fellowship Program
Become An Advocacy Leader
Communication Guide
Overview

Counseling Compact
Portability | FAQ
Veterans Affairs
Overview

Overview

Benefits of Being an NCC
Earn Continuing Education
Certification Management
Credentialing Gateway
Awards
Marketing Yourself
Therapy Directory
Digital Badges
NBCC News
NCCs | FAQ
NBCC Events
The Professional Counselor
Liability Insurance
CCE Academy
CE Credit Verification
Overview

Applicants | FAQ
Student Info
Students | FAQ
Faculty Info
Faculty | FAQ
CACREP
Overview

Community Resources
Employer Resources
Overview

ACEP Quarterly
ACEP
CE Single Program
CE Provider Applicants
CE Provider Toolbox
CE Provider Applications
CE Advertisements
CE Provider Policy
CE Calendar of Events
Overview

State Board
Counselor Find
Counselor Verify
ACEP
Overview

Ethics | FAQ
Policy Library
Overview

Board of Directors
Selected Staff
Careers
Employee Benefits
Awards
Contact

About the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

Information
Content
Sample Case Studies
Handbooks
Upcoming 2027 Version of the NCMHCE
New Examination FAQ
About the NCMHCE

The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services. The NCMHCE is a requirement for counselor licensure in many states. It is one of two examination options for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification and also fulfills the examination requirement for the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) specialty certification.


NCMHCE Content Outline 2027 Exam Specifications


Options for Examination Delivery

You can take the examination as part of either the National Certified Counselor (NCC) or Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) application, which will be covered in this handbook. The benefit of taking the examination via this method is that it allows you to get a head start on earning your professional credentials.


You can take the examination on its own, as part of the state licensure process. For more information on this process, review the state licensure candidate handbook.


Prepare for the NCMHCE

Study guides are available to help you prepare for the NCMHCE.


Download an Accommodation Request Form

Forms are available for download if special accomomodations are needed for the NCE.


Special Examination Request Forms:


For Certification & Credentilaing Candidates

For State Licensure Candidates


Exam Window Extension

You may refer to our Extension Request Policy for details on extending your exam window.




Please Note:

This page will be updated as more information about the new examination becomes available. We encourage you to check back regularly to stay informed about the transition timeline and available resources.


About the National Counselor Examination (NCE)
Exam Administration

NBCCF Home

CCE

NBCCF Home

NBCCF

NBCCF Home

EBCC

Reach Out

NBCC
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, North Carolina
27403-3660

336-547-0607 336-547-0017 nbcc@nbcc.org

Quick Links

Ethics Policies and Procedures Career Opportunities at NBCC NBCC Visions Newsletter Policy Library

Legal & Other Information

Cookie Preferences Privacy Policy Cookie Policy
The information provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) on the nbcc.org website (site) is for general information purposes only. NBCC makes significant efforts to maintain current and accurate information on this site. We are not responsible for any information concerning NBCC or our programs, services, or activities that is published or displayed on any third-party website(s). These websites are maintained by third parties over which we exercise no control, and for which we have no responsibility. Individuals should verify any information obtained from third-party sources by referring to our official site or contacting our customer service team directly.

Copyright © 2026 National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates | All rights reserved.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded.

Reload 🗙

Connection Interrupted

Your current session is still open. We'll keep trying to restore it.

Rejoining the server...

Rejoin failed. Trying again in s.

Failed to rejoin. Retry now or reload the page.

The session has been paused by the server.

Failed to resume the session. Retry now or reload the page.