Content Areas (Domains) Of NCE Changing
This year, 2019, the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) completed the analysis of its latest national survey of practicing professional counselors. This periodic survey provides a validation of the content for items found on the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
A factor analysis of the results of the more than 16,000 credentialed counselors who completed the survey provides the content (domains) for future exam items on the NCE which are couched in the eight CACREP areas. The previous national survey conducted in 2010 resulted in five principal Work Behavior domains. The content analysis of the most recent survey resulted in the identification of six domains.
These domains are:
Professional Practice and Ethics
Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
Areas of Clinical Focus
Treatment Planning
Counseling Skills and Interventions
Core Counseling Attributes
The majority of questions (about 60%) on future editions of the NCE will relate to two domains: Areas of Clinical Focus and Counseling Skills and Interventions. The other four domains will contribute to the remaining 40% of the exam items.
In short, the NCE items will be trending more toward clinical and counseling intervention skills and behaviors.
For more information, visit:
Board Certification
NCC (National Certified Counselor)
Examination Requirement — National Counselor Examination