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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Academic Testing
Exam Format
225 min
200
Variable per form (modified Angoff method)
Professional
Registration
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
Varies by state and certification
National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification requires recertification; State licensure renewal requirements vary by state
NCE Exam Topics and Domains
NCE is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with Cognitive restructuring, Interpretation, Miracle question, Reflection.
1
Professional Practice and Ethics
12%
Competency and Professional Standards
Assess counselor competency to work with specific clientsStatistical concepts and research methodsLegal and ethical counseling practice
Client Rights and Informed Consent
Clarify counselor-client rolesDiscuss client rights and responsibilitiesDiscuss limits of confidentialityObtain informed consent
Administrative and Clinical Procedures
Explain counselor agency policiesReview payment, fees, and insurance benefitsExplain counseling processes, procedures, risks, and benefitsExplain uses and limits of social mediaConfidentiality in electronic communication
Documentation and Record Keeping
Review client recordsCreate and maintain documentationProvide information to third parties
Professional Development and Self-Care
Provide referral sourcesAdvocate for professional and client issuesSeek supervision and consultationAwareness and practice of self-care
2
Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
12%
Interview Techniques
Conduct biopsychosocial interviewConduct diagnostic interviewConduct cultural formulation interviewConduct initial interview
Diagnostic Processes
Determine diagnosisPerform Mental Status Exam (MSE)Consider co-occurring diagnoses
Assessment and Screening
Determine level of care neededDetermine appropriate modality of treatmentAssess presenting problem and level of distressEvaluate mental health functioningScreen clients for appropriate services
Assessment Instruments and Methods
Select, use, and interpret assessment instrumentsUse formal and informal observationsObtain client self-reports
Specialized Assessments
Assess for traumaAssess substance useEvaluate interactional dynamicsAssess at-risk behaviors
Outcome Assessment
Use pre-test and post-test measuresEvaluate counseling effectiveness
3
Areas of Clinical Focus
29%
Individual Life Challenges
Adjustment to physical loss/injury/medical conditionAging and geriatric concernsEnd-of-life issuesRetirement concernsTerminal illness issues
Mental Health Symptoms
Hopelessness and depressionWorry and anxietyFear and panicPhysical issues related to anxietyPhysical issues related to depressionEmotional dysregulation
Cognitive and Thought Issues
Obsessive thoughts and behaviorsRuminating and intrusive thoughtsHyper/hypo mental focusIntellectual functioning issuesVisual/auditory hallucinations
Behavioral Issues
Behavioral problemsBullyingSuicidal thoughts and behaviorsMaladaptive eating behaviorsSleeping habits and insomnia
Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors
Substance use and addiction issuesProcess addictions
Trauma and Abuse
Physical/emotional issues related to traumaChild abuse-related concernsFamily abuse and violenceInterpersonal partner violence concerns
Relationship and Family Issues
Dating and relationship problemsMarital/partner communication problemsDivorceRemarriage and recommitmentBlended family issuesParenting and co-parenting conflictsAdoption issuesLoneliness and attachment
Developmental and Life Transitions
Developmental processes, tasks, and issuesChild development issuesSeparation from primary caregiversGrief and loss
Identity and Cultural Issues
Gender identity developmentSexual functioning concernsCultural adjustmentsRacism, discrimination, and oppression
Meaning and Existential Concerns
Spiritual and existential concernsReligious values conflict
Practical Life Concerns
Financial issuesOccupation and career developmentCaregiving concernsStress management
4
Treatment Planning
9%
Goal Setting and Treatment Planning
Collaborate with client to establish goals and objectivesEstablish short-term and long-term goalsIdentify barriers to goal attainmentIdentify strengths for goal attainment
Referrals and Levels of Care
Refer to different levels of treatmentRefer for concurrent treatmentCollaborate with other providers
Treatment Plan Management
Guide treatment planningReview and revise treatment planEngage clients in progress reviewUse assessment results in planningEducate client on treatment plan compliance
Termination and Transitions
Discuss termination process and issuesDiscuss transitions in group membershipFollow-up after dischargeIntegration and maintenance of progress
5
Counseling Skills and Interventions
30%
Foundational Counseling Skills
Establish therapeutic allianceFacilitate trust and safetyBuild communication skillsFacilitate empathic responsesSummarizeReframe and redirect
Theory-Based Interventions
Apply theory-based interventionsAlign intervention with developmental levelAlign intervention with modalityAlign intervention with client population
Advanced Therapeutic Techniques
Use self-disclosureUse constructive confrontationFacilitate here-and-now awarenessEducate about transference and defense mechanismsContain and manage intense feelings
Specific Intervention Areas
Address addiction issuesProvide crisis interventionDevelop safety plansDevelop conflict resolution strategiesGuide skill development
Cultural and Systemic Interventions
Address cultural considerationsAddress family composition and cultureExplore religious and spiritual valuesEvaluate systemic patterns of interactionExplore family member interactionExplore family of origin patternsAddress impact of extended familiesImprove interactional patternsFacilitate systemic change
Client Support and Resources
Help clients develop support systemsAddress impact of social support networkFacilitate client motivationProvide education resourcesProvide psychoeducation for client
Group Counseling Skills
Use linking and blockingManagement of leader-member dynamicsModel giving and receiving feedbackUse structured activitiesPromote member interactionsUse psychoeducation in groupExplain phases in group processIdentify group themes and patternsCreate interventions based on group stageChallenge harmful group behaviorsAddress member interaction outside groupFacilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
Contemporary Practice Methods
Provide distance counseling or telemental healthImplement individual counseling
6
Core Counseling Attributes
8%
Counselor Self-Awareness
Awareness of self and impact on clientsGenuinenessCongruence
Empathy and Regard
Empathic attunementEmpathic respondingPositive regardNon-judgmental stance
Cultural Competence and Diversity
Knowledge of and sensitivity to gender orientation and issuesKnowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issuesRespect and acceptance for diversity
Foundational Skills and Attributes
Use foundational listening, attending, and reflecting skillsDemonstrate conflict tolerance and resolutionFoster group therapeutic factors
How do I earn this certification?
Passing NCE earns the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification. It sits in the Professional Counseling track.
Current Level Exams
NCMHCE - National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination Alternative exam option for same certifications
Next Level Options
- State Licensure Requirements vary significantly by state
- National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Specialty Certifications from NBCC Additional requirements beyond NCC
Alternative Paths
NCMHCE - National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination Simulation-based alternative to NCE for same credentials
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for NCE is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2019-06
Updates
- Telehealth/Distance Counseling Current Included in Domain 5 (Counseling Skills and Interventions) as topic 5.X • Release date: 2019
- Electronic Health Records and Confidentiality Current Included in Domain 1 (Professional Practice and Ethics) as topic 1.M • Release date: 2019
- Social Media in Counseling Practice Current Included in Domain 1 (Professional Practice and Ethics) as topic 1.J • Release date: 2019
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Graduate students in counseling programs and Entry-level professional counselors.
- Graduate degree from CACREP-accredited counseling program
- Or graduate degree from institutionally accredited college/university counseling program
- Coursework in 8 CACREP content areas