NCE (National Counselor Exam)

The National Counselor Exam (NCE) in the United States actually refers to two different exams, each with its own syllabus and pattern:

1. National Counselor Examination for Licensure (NCEL):
⚫ Administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
⚫ Required for licensure as a professional counselor in most states

Content: Based on a national job analysis identifying key work behaviors for competent counseling practice. Six domains are assessed:
⚫ Professional Counseling Identity (15%)
⚫ Helping Relationships and Communication (25%)
⚫ Assessment and Diagnosis (20%)
⚫ Counseling Strategies and Interventions (20%)
⚫ Group Work and Consultation (10%)
⚫ Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice (10%)

⚫ Pattern: 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), 160 scored and 40 unscored (used for future exams)
⚫ Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
⚫ Resources: You can find the complete NCE Content Outline and other helpful resources on the NBCC website: https://nbcc.org/assets/exam/nce_content_outline.pdf

2. National Counselor Exam for Certification (NCE-C):
⚫ Administered by the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE)
⚫ Optional exam for national certification as a counselor
⚫ Content: Similar to the NCEL, but with a slightly different emphasis on specific counseling specialties and less focus on state-specific licensing requirements.
⚫ Pattern: 162 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 2 constructed-response essays
⚫ Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes
⚫ Resources: You can find more information about the NCE-C on the CCE website: https://www.nbcc.org/exams/nce

Important Note:
⚫ The specific requirements for counselor licensure and certification vary by state. It's crucial to check with your state's licensing board for the most up-to-date information and confirm which exam (NCEL or NCE-C) is required.
⚫ Both exams are regularly updated based on job analysis data, so the content and format may change slightly over time. Always refer to the official resources from NBCC or CCE for the latest information.