EmployerResources

As an employer, you want to:

Hire dedicated, well-informed professional counselors
Be able to quickly identify those potential employees who have undergone a review of their qualifications
Have assurance that your employees are remaining current with professional developments
Have clear, enforceable national conduct standards
Be able to assure potential clients that they have options when expressing concerns about a counselor’s conduct

NBCC helps you achieve these goals. In order to become board certified, National Certified Counselors (NCCs) voluntarily meet national standards in education, experience and conduct. To maintain their board certification, National Certified Counselors (NCCs) must satisfy NBCC requirements, including the completion of continuing education requirements and adherence to ethical standards. You can review the ethical standards of board certifications through our Code of Ethics. NBCC also provides standards for counselors who provide distance professional services.

NBCC has developed resources you can use to find and vet qualified candidates:

Locate a counselor who is board certified by NBCC

Discover a counselor’s board certification status

Learn about required conduct and how concerns are reviewed

Read about the continuing education board certified counselors are required to complete

Recognize specialty certifications offered by NBCC

Understand the difference between board certification and state licensure

Why Should I Hire NCCs?

NCCs must follow specific conduct requirements as identified in NBCC’s enforceable Code of Ethics.
NBCC’s Ethics Case Procedures describes the procedures which represent a resource for employers to address concerns about applicants or certificants.
NCCs must complete verified continuing education in order to maintain their certification.
Employing NCCs demonstrates a commitment to providing access for your clients to those professionals who meet high standards for professional counseling.

	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 (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 (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).

Employer Resources

NBCC has developed resources you can use to find and vet qualified candidates:

Why Should I Hire NCCs?