Being an SME is a professional service opportunity. SME participation provides a unique experience where you get to work with a diverse group of passionate professionals and contribute to continued excellence in the counseling profession. You will have an opportunity to network on a national level with other experts in counseling and build new professional skills. Engaging in the development of counseling assessments allows you to have an immediate impact on the standards required to be a professional counselor. Because NBCC examinations are made for counselors, by counselors, we need counselors like you to provide expertise.

There are continuing education opportunities available for SMEs who complete certain trainings. In addition, serving on these committees may qualify as leadership hours that can be used toward the continuing education requirement for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.

SMEs are enlisted by NBCC to provide their expertise in examination content development. SMEs can serve on several different committees pertaining to different parts of the examination development process: job analysis, standard setting, examination form and item review, and appeals. SMEs serving on committees are typically asked to participate in examination development meetings two to four times a year. These are typically 2- to 3-day meetings that can be virtual or in person. If meetings are held in person, NBCC will cover associated travel and accommodation expenses.

After participating in examination form and/or item review meetings, those interested in serving as item or narrative writers can apply for this position, complete the necessary trainings, and become eligible for item writing contracts as needs arise.

Most SME responsibilities are specific to their assigned examination role. Overall, SMEs are responsible for attending committee meetings, actively participating during the meetings to provide their expertise, and ensuring test security protocols are followed at all times, including, but not limited to, maintaining confidentiality and not participating in the development of test preparation content.

The general requirements of being an SME include having earned the credential related to the examination you are interested in working on. In addition, your credential must be in good standing with NBCC. Before becoming an SME, you are required to attend an SME orientation session.

We ask applicants to complete an application to provide us with specific information about their credentials, qualifications, experience, and expertise. Once your application materials have been reviewed, you will be notified whether you met the requirements. If accepted, you will be contacted with information about attending our SME orientation. Depending on the current examination development needs, you will be contacted when SMEs are needed for our different examinations. Examination development is an ongoing process, and participation times vary throughout the year. We ask that you be patient as we work with our SMEs in accordance with our regular assessment calendar.

No prior experience is needed. We will provide any training you will need.

After we have reviewed your application materials, we will notify you that you have met the qualifications.

All new SMEs attend an orientation to introduce them to NBCC, the examination development process, and various opportunities for SME involvement. Training is provided for specific tasks on an ongoing basis. Some trainings may be eligible for NBCC continuing education credit.

SMEs are evaluated and asked to join at the committee level. If serving on a committee, you would typically be expected to attend two to four meetings per year for a given examination. Most meetings are 2- to 3-day meetings, requiring attendance for all days; however, we do have some meetings that are 2 to 3 hours.

Yes! Although many of our committee meetings are full-day meetings, we have some opportunities that are as short as 2 to 3 hours. Just let us know about your availability when we reach out to you about upcoming opportunities.

The commitment time depends on the committee on which you work. We are in the process of updating the SME terms. The new terms will range from 1 to 2 years, with the option to renew.

No! We have several opportunities that are virtual, requiring no travel, and other opportunities that require travel to our headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. If you prefer not to travel, just let us know about your preference not to travel when we reach out to you about upcoming opportunities. There also may be opportunities to gather at national conferences or other scheduled professional development events should the need arise.

Most SME participation is voluntary. Being an SME is a professional service opportunity. SME participation provides a unique experience where you get to work with a diverse group of passionate professionals and contribute to continued excellence in the counseling profession. You will have an opportunity to network on a national level with other experts in counseling and build new professional skills. Engaging in the development of counseling assessments allows you to have an immediate impact on the standards required to be a professional counselor. Because NBCC examinations are made for counselors, by counselors, we need counselors like you to provide expertise. We value our SMEs for their dedication to the profession and willingness to serve in these professional service committees.

For in-person meetings, NBCC covers necessary costs associated with travel, hotel, and food.

There are a limited number of paid item writer opportunities available exclusively to previously established SMEs. To be selected as an item writer, you must first complete the application. Then, you must attend an SME orientation, then an item writer training/evaluation, and then examination form and/or item review meetings. These meetings are an opportunity to get oriented with our examinations and understand more about the item writing and review process before beginning item writing tasks.