Close Button
NBCC Logo
  • National Certification
  • Examinations
  • State Licensure
  • Government Affairs
    • Government Affairs
    • Advocacy
    • Grassroots
    • Newsroom
    • Portability
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Counselor Resources
    • Applicant Resources
    • Public Resources
    • CE Provider Resources
    • Ethics
    • Search Directories
  • About
    • About
    • Board Members
    • Selected Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Search
NBCC Logo
Login
NBCC Logo
Login
NBCC Logo
Login
NBCC Logo
Login
×
Search Directories
ACEP Directory Counselor Find Counselor Verify State Board Directory
National Certification
National Certification NCC NCSC CCMHC MAC Specialty Certifications Schedule Ethics
Examinations
Exams NCE NCMHCE Examinations Administration Accommodations Examinations Security Examinations Preparation DSM-5-TR Overview Subject Matter Experts Exam Sensitivity & Bias Authorization for Extension
State Licensure
State Licensure Exam Registration Military Health Systems State Board Directory NCE Handbook PDF NCMHCE Handbook PDF
Government Affairs
Government Affairs Federal Resources Federal Employment Federal Funding Indian Health Services Legislative Policy Map Medicare Military Health Systems Grassroots Action Center Newsroom Become an Advocacy Leader Communication Guide Portability Counseling Compact FAQ
Counselor Resources
Counselor Resources Benefits of National Certification Earn Continuing Education Certification Management Credentialing Gateway Awards Marketing Yourself Therapy Directory Digital Badges NBCC News Ethics FAQ The Professional Counselor Liability Insurance CCE Academy CE Credit Verification PDF
Applicant Resources
Applicants Resources FAQs for Applicants Student Information FAQs for Students Faculty Information FAQs for Faculty CACREP
Resources for the Public
Resources for the Public Community Resources Employer Resources
CE Provider Resources
CE Provider Resources Approved CE Providers CE Single Program CE Provider Applicants CE Provider Toolbox CE Applications CE Advertisements CE Provider Policy CE Calendar of Events
About
Board Members Selected Staff Careers Contact Us
  • Counselor Resources
  • Benefits of National Certification
  • Earn Continuing Education
  • Certification Management
  • Credentialing Gateway
  • Awards
  • Marketing Yourself
  • Therapy Directory
  • Digital Badges
  • NBCC News
  • Visions
  • Ethics
  • FAQs
  • The Professional Counselor
  • Liability Insurance
  • CCE Academy
  • CE Credit Verification Form
  • Disaster Crisis Relief Form

NBCC Launches 2023 Code of Ethics

  1. home
  2. resources
  3. nccs
  4. newsletter
  5. the-2023-nbcc-code-of-ethics-launch

Article Published: 5/24/2023

code-of-ethics.webp

The National Board for Certified Counselors is excited to announce that the updated NBCC Code of Ethics officially launched on May 15, 2023.

Previously updated in 2016, the NBCC Code of Ethics serves to establish, and set expectations for, the minimum ethical behaviors for professional certified counselors, candidates, and all those who utilize the professional services of NBCC.

In addition, the NBCC Code of Ethics provides an enforceable set of directives and ensures resources for those involved in a perceived violation. It serves as the basis for an effective and just method for submitting complaints for the protection of both the public and counselors.

The addition of core values and belief language to the introduction of the 2023 NBCC Code of Ethics provides certainty to the necessary work of counselors. The Code was also edited for easier readability and navigation and therefore divided into subsections as follows:

  • Professional Responsibilities
  • Counseling Relationships
  • Supervision and Consultation
  • Testing, Appraisal, and Research
  • Counselor Education
  • Telemental Health, Social Media, and Technology

NBCC has been working on updating the current Code since 2020. NBCC formed an Ethics Advisory Council that consisted of National Certified Counselors (NCCs) who work in various private and educational settings. The Council reviewed the current code and made recommendations based on the current state of the counseling profession with consideration toward future trends. This process also involved various subcommittee tasks, and all recommendations were subsequently evaluated for their relevance. A secondary review was then completed by NCCs not involved in the initial process. Finally, NBCC’s senior leadership team, in collaboration with our Chief Governance and Policy Officer, reviewed all recommendations for inclusion in the final version of the Code. 

“We are excited for this updated Code of Ethics,” says Dr. Brenden Hargett, Director of Ethics at NBCC. “As the counseling profession continues to shift, change and grow, it was important for us to retool our Code of Ethics to reflect some of those changes while providing counselors with ethical guidance.”

Updates to the Code were led by the NBCC Director of Ethics, Dr. Brenden Hargett, and the Ethics Advisory Council listed below:

  • Lotes Nelson, PhD – Clinical Faculty, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire
  • Latonya Graham, PhD – Director of Counseling, Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Alabama
  • Perry Francis, EdD – Professor, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
  • Jeff Parsons, PhD – Professor of Counseling, Lindsey Wilson College, Berea, Kentucky
  • Heather Aschenbrenner, MS – Private Practice, Sage Beginnings, St Lawrence County, New York

NCCs are encouraged to review the new Code to ensure that their counseling practice abides by the rules set forth within the document. Questions can be directed to ethics@nbcc.org.



Share On Social Media:




Read more articles

NBCC
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, North Carolina 27403

NBCC Facebook NBCC LinkedIn

  • More Information
  • Ethics
  • Careers
  • Newsletter
  • Policy Library
  • Reach Out
  • tel: +336-547-0607
  • fax: +336-547-0017
  • email: nbcc@nbcc.org

Visit Our Sites

CCE Icon
NBCC Icon
EBCC Icon

Cookie Policy Icon Manage Cookie Preferences

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 ©2025 National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates | All rights reserved.