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The National Board for Certified Counselors is excited to announce a remote administration option for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). You now have the choice to take the NCE and NCMHCE online from any secure location through the OnVUE platform or in person at a Pearson VUE test center. The information below is designed to assist you in choosing the option that best suits your needs and will allow you to have the best possible testing experience.

Review Our Video Tutorial: NCC Application- NCE Online Administration Option



What to Expect

Pearson VUE has developed a short video to demonstrate what you can expect when testing at testing center.

Accommodations

If you require a special accommodation(s) during the examination because of an ADA-recognized disability or because English is your second language, you must indicate your request at the time you submit your examination registration. We also recommend that you upload the appropriate documentation verifying the need for the request at the time of registration.

All requests for special examination accommodations are reviewed individually and are subject to approval.

Identification Requirements

  • You must bring:
    • Two forms of original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID. One must be a government-issued ID with name, photo, and signature. The secondary ID must have name and signature or name and recent photo.
  • Note: The first and last name that you used to register for the examination must exactly match the first and last name on the IDs that are presented on test day. Both required IDs must be issued by the country in which you are testing. If you do not have qualifying IDs issued from the country in which you are testing, a passport from your country of citizenship is required along with a secondary ID. If you have any questions or concerns about the ID you are required to bring with you to the test center for admittance for your examination, please contact Pearson VUE customer service.

Security Requirements

The following security procedures apply during the examination:

  • No cell phones, cameras, notes, tape recorders, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or pagers are allowed in the examination room.
  • No calculators are permitted.
  • No guests, visitors, or family members are allowed in the examination room.
  • Except for keys and wallets, no personal items, valuables, or weapons should be brought to the examination room. NBCC is not responsible for items left outside the examination room.

Break Limitations

You may take a break when you wish, but you will not be given additional time to test.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Pearson VUE continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and will adjust test center operations as needed. For updated guidance on health and safety practices, testing candidate policies, and location-specific testing information, visit the Pearson VUE website.

What to Expect

Visit our OnVUE page to explore what to expect when testing through the OnVUE platform.

Accommodations

Due to a variety of technical and physical limitations related to internet-based test administrations, NBCC/CCE will be unable to provide approved special examination accommodations through the Pearson VUE online test delivery and proctoring service. However, all accommodations will continue to be provided through the site-based examination processes. The reduced testing volume in those sites should help to create a more efficient and safer experience for all examinees. All special examination accommodations that are approved by NBCC/CCE will only be provided to candidates in connection with in-person test administrations taken at Pearson VUE test centers during scheduled appointment times.

Identification Requirements

  • You will be prompted to capture:
    • A photo of your valid (unexpired) government-issued ID
    • A real-time photo of yourself
  • Note: The first and last name that you used to register for the examination must exactly match the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day. If the identification that you submit does not pass the initial review, you may be asked to submit an alternative option. All required IDs must be issued by the country in which you are testing If you do not have a qualifying ID issued from the country in which you are testing, a passport from your country of citizenship is required along with a secondary ID. If you have any questions or concerns about the ID you are required to bring with you to the test center for admittance for your examination, please contact Pearson VUE customer service.

Security Requirements

  • You are required to capture four photos of your testing environment.
  • Constant online proctoring/monitoring will be conducted by both artificial intelligence and a VUE-certified proctor via webcam and microphone throughout the examination.
  • You must review all submitted information and follow-ups, as needed, with a Pearson team member.

System Requirements

Before choosing OnVUE for your examination administration, evaluate your equipment and intended testing location to ensure that you meet all requirements for online testing.

  • Adequate space on your computer to download the required software
  • Strong and reliable internet connection of at least 1 Mbps for both the upload and download bandwidth (you can perform a system check here)
  • A functional webcam
  • A functional microphone
  • One of the following operating systems: Windows 10, 8.1 (32-bit or 64-bit), 7 SPI (32-bit or 64-bit); Mac OS X 10.10 or above
  • Minimum RAM specified for the operating system (4GB or more)
  • Minimum display resolution of 1024 X 768 in 16-bit color
  • Highly recommended: hardwired connection (not wireless), especially for those with a slower internet connection
  • Note: If your connection is lost during the online administration of the examination, you will not be allowed to go back into the examination. In the event that this happens, you will have to schedule to take the examination at a Pearson VUE test center at a later date. We strongly encourage you to complete a system check before selecting a response.
  • If you have questions about these system requirements, please contact Pearson VUE customer service.

Testing Space Requirements

Other individuals (including children) and pets are not allowed in the testing environment. We recommend, if possible, using a room that has a door with a lock to reduce the likelihood that an interruption will occur. You are not permitted to get up or leave your testing computer for any reason except for one 15-minute, prescheduled break. Interruptions (including contact with any person other than the examination proctor) will result in disqualification from the online administration of the examination. In the event that this happens, you will have to schedule to take the examination at a Pearson VUE test center at a later date.

Additionally, examinees are not allowed to have textbooks, cell phones, smart watches, or other materials that may have test content information on their desks or within reach in the testing environment.

Break Limitations

You are not permitted to get up or leave your testing computer for any reason except for one 15-minute, prescheduled break. This break will be provided after you complete the first 100 questions of the examination. After the break, you will not be permitted to return to the first 100 questions. If you leave your testing location at any time outside of this break, you will have to schedule to take the examination at a Pearson VUE test center at a later date.

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