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The NCE itself is a one-time exam, but what it leads to — the National Certified Counselor
(NCC) credential and state licensure — must be maintained. Here’s how, per NBCC.
Maintaining the NCC credential
The National Certified Counselor credential is renewed every five years through
continuing education — NBCC requires continuing-education clock hours over the cycle, including
ethics — plus the renewal fee. CE you complete for licensure often counts toward the NCC as well.
Maintaining your state license
Your Licensed Professional Counselor (or equivalent) license renews on your state board’s schedule,
typically every one to two years, with its own continuing-education requirements. Always follow your
board’s rules — they govern your right to practice.
Plan ahead
Track your CE as you earn it and note which hours satisfy both the NCC and your state license, so
you’re not duplicating effort at renewal.
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).