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The NCE is a master’s-level counseling exam used for both NCC certification and state licensure.
Eligibility differs slightly between those two paths, per NBCC.
The core requirement
You must be enrolled in or have completed a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related
field from a regionally accredited institution.
Two paths, two slightly different rules
- For NCC certification: your degree should come from a CACREP-accredited program
(or you meet NBCC’s coursework and experience equivalents). - For state licensure: your state board sets the specifics — many let you
take the NCE during or after your graduate program. Check your board’s requirements.
Bottom line
If you’re a counseling graduate student or graduate, you’re likely on track — just confirm
whether you’re testing for the NCC credential, your state license, or both.
Unlock 1,400+ NCE practice questions across 11 full-length simulators — $19.99 lifetime →
Sources & references
The exam facts on this page are drawn from official certifying-body materials, reviewed 2026-06-18 by the DrCertifications exam-prep team (10+ years in exam preparation and publishing).