The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE®) is administered and maintained by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). It is used as part of the counselor licensure process in many states and is also one of the examination options for earning the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
Click “Start Test” above to take a free NCE practice test, and check out our premium-quality NCE test prep resources by clicking the links below!
NCE Question of the Day
What to Expect on the NCE
The NCE is changing on July 1, 2027. The updated exam will contain 170 questions instead of 200, with three answer choices per question rather than four. Of those questions, 140 will be scored and 30 will be unscored. The exam will also feature updated content domains and a new 100–500 scoring scale, with 360 as the passing score.The National Counselor exam is a 200-question, multiple-choice test. On the test, you will be presented with a series of questions created from the original eight Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) content areas and six work behaviors from NBCC’s national job analysis.
All of these questions have undergone review and field-testing prior to being included on the examination and a new version of the National Counselor exam is administered for each new test date.
Of the 200 questions you will be asked, 160 are counted for scoring in order to determine whether you achieve a passing grade, with the remaining 40 being unscored field-test items used for statistics to gauge whether they should be used on future versions of the NCE exam.
Questions will be based on the following six domains:
Test Domains
- Professional Practice and Ethics (12%)
- Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis (12%)
- Areas of Clinical Focus (29%)
- Treatment Planning (9%)
- Counseling Skills and Interventions (30%)
- Core Counseling Attributes (8%)
A more in-depth discussion of these content domains is available through Mometrix’s National Counselor exam preparation tools, which includes NCE study guides and NCE practice tests.
Check Out Mometrix's NCE Study Guide
Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons.
Top 5 Most Challenging NCE Questions
Now that you know more about the exam, try your hand at some targeted practice!
Over the last year, we’ve compiled the data from about 7,000 test-takers who tried their hand at the practice test at the top of this page. According to the data, around 65% of people answered these five questions incorrectly.
Answer each question and read through the answer explanation, whether you got the answer right or wrong. This will help you ensure you’ve got the topic mastered.
Whether you struggled with these questions or aced them on your first try, be sure to take the full practice test to get a better idea of how prepared you really are!
1. Would Freud’s psychodynamic approach and Albert Ellis’ REBT favor the emic or the etic approach?
2. Which level of care would best meet the client’s current needs based on the information below?
Outpatient therapy, which is usually held weekly, would be inadequate for the client at this time. Residential treatment is less restrictive than inpatient hospitalization and is designed for long-term care and supportive therapy. Residential treatment would be too restrictive for the client at this time. Crisis stabilization is not needed at this point because the client is no longer a harm to himself.
3. What would G. L. Harrington or William Glasser most likely say regarding transference?
4. Which of the following does NOT correctly pair a model of consultation with the person who developed it?
5. A scatter plot depicts:
The scatter plot is valued in research because one can instantly see a positive or negative relationship between the data, and if that relationship is strong or weak. One can also easily see if the relationship is a linear one.
Eligibility and Registration
Registration requirements for the NCE depend on whether you are taking the exam for national certification or state licensure.
If you are pursuing National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification, you must apply through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and meet its eligibility requirements. If you are taking the NCE for state licensure, you must follow your state’s counseling board requirements, which may differ from those for national certification.
Once you have been approved to test, you can schedule your examination at a Pearson VUE testing center or, if eligible, take it online through OnVUE. Registration fees vary depending on your application route and are generally nonrefundable and nontransferable.
What to Expect on Test Day
If you are taking the NCE at a Pearson VUE testing center, you must present two forms of original, valid, unexpired identification. Your primary ID must be government-issued and include your name, photo, and signature. Your secondary ID must include your name and either your signature or a recent photo. The first and last names on your identification must exactly match the names used to register for the exam.
If you are testing online through OnVUE, you will need a valid government-issued photo ID and must complete the required identity verification process.
Additional security measures include: no cameras, notes, or related items permitted in the testing area; no calculators; no guests or visitors; and no personal items permitted other than keys and wallets. All items you need for the NCE exam, including writing materials, will be provided at check in.
If you fail to provide acceptable identification, fail to abide by the set security standards or arrive more than 15 minutes later than your designated exam time, you will not be admitted to the testing area and you will not be issued a refund, so be sure to plan ahead.
Check Out Mometrix's NCE Flashcards
Get complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Understanding Your Score
Your National Counselor examination score is based on a modified Angoff method and is solely determined based on your performance on the examination, with no prior work experience or variables factored into your score.
A passing score is determined by subject matter experts, who evaluate questions on the NCE exam to establish a number of correct responses that would adequately demonstrate the required level of proficiency. Since each version of the exam is different, the number of correct responses needed to obtain a passing score will vary slightly for each version. Your own capabilities will allow you to pass or fail the NCE exam, with no influence from other test takers.
Retaking the Exam
If you do not pass the NCE, you must wait at least 30 days before retaking it and pay a new examination fee.
If you are taking the exam for NCC certification, you are allowed up to three attempts within a two-year application period. Your application will close if you do not pass within those limits. If you are taking the NCE for state licensure, the number of permitted attempts is determined by your state licensing board.
NCE vs. NCMHCE
The NCE and NCMHCE are both counselor licensure exams, but there are some notable differences between them. Wondering which exam is right for you?
Take a look at the details of each exam here:
| Testing Time | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
3 hours and 45 minutes | 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| Question Count | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
200 questions | 130–150 questions |
| Domains | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
6 domains | 6 domains |
| Subjects | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
|
|
| Prerequisites | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
Graduate-level degree or higher from a counseling program | Graduate-level degree or higher from a counseling program |
| Exam Fee | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
Varies | $275 |
| Retakes | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
Varies by registration route | Varies by registration route |
| Pass or Fail | |
|---|---|
| NCE | NCMHCE |
Yes | Yes |
Comparing Counseling Theories
To excel on the NCE, you need to be familiar with several counseling theories, and trying to remember the similarities and differences can quickly become overwhelming.
To help you compare major counseling theories quickly and accurately, we’ve compiled the most important theories in one place, including key founders, core ideas, goals, and common techniques.
NCE Online Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online NCE prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!
Here’s what you’ll find in the NCE course:
- 80+ Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- Over 1,650 NCE Practice Questions
- 500+ Digital Flashcards
- 30+ Instructional Videos
- Money-back Guarantee
- Mobile Access
Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the NCE online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the NCE exam.
Click below to check it out!
FAQs
Q
What is the National Counselor Exam?
A
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a standardized exam used to assess the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective counseling services. It is required for counselor licensure in many states and is also one of the examination options for National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.
Q
What is a passing score on NCE exam?
A
The passing cut score varies slightly by exam form and is determined through standard setting and statistical equating.
Q
What does NCE stand for in counseling?
A
NCE stands for National Counselor Examination
Q
How much does it cost to take the National Counselor Exam?
A
The cost of the NCE depends on your registration route. The exam fee for state licensure is generally $275, while the NCC national certification application costs $375 with exam registration included. Additional fees may apply for retakes or other services.
Q
How do you sign up for the NCE?
A
To sign up for the NCE, you will need to visit the NBCC website: http://www.nbcc.org/Licensure/ExamRegistration
NCE is a registered trademark of National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc., which is not affiliated with Mometrix Test Preparation and does not endorse this page.
