NCE Exam Changes (Updated – May, 2023)
Here is the current known range of items on the NCE based on exam results sent to me by several counselors over the last twelve months.
CACREP AREAS – RANGE
Human Growth and Development – 13-16
Social and Cultural Diversity – 3-8
Counseling and Helping Relationships – 40-56
Group Counseling and Group Work – 16-33
Career Development – 15-24
Assessment and Testing – 21-31
Research and Program Evaluation – 4-7
Professional Counseling Orientation/Ethics – 10-15
TOTAL 160
COUNSELOR WORK BEHAVIOR AREAS – RANGE
Professional Practice and Ethics – 19
Intake, Assessment and Diagnosis – 19
Areas of Clinical Focus – 47
Treatment Planning – 14
Counseling Skills and Interventions – 48
Core Counseling Attributes – 13
TOTAL 160
You have 225 minutes to complete the NCE. A 15 minute break is given after completing 100 questions. For more information about NBCC’s move to a more clinical counseling exam experience, please read the section in my Study Guide on pages 7-12.
Recent information gleaned from the NBCC website:
For National Counselor Certification, the NCE is offered in spring and fall, over a five week timeframe. You can take it at a Pearson VUE office or at home.
Visit: nbcc.org/certification/NCC or nbcc.org/assets/Exam/Handbooks/NCE.pdf
For state licensure, NCE is usually offered first two weeks of each month – at a VUE office. See your state gov. website. Visit: nbcc.org/licensure
The CPCE is usually offered on campus or perhaps at a VUE office, not at home.
Visit: cce-global.org/assessmentsandexams/CPCE
If you found my study material useful, you might provide a short feedback note to me at: ahelwig@sprintmail.com. If you would send me a copy of your exam results, that would help me stay current about the number of items in the 8 CACREP and the 6 Work Behavior Areas. I can then share that with other counselors in their study process. Thank you for purchasing my materials and good luck with your exam prep.