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Georgia Professional Counselor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Associate Professional Counselor

Associate license for practice only under direction and supervision, limited to five years while completing professional counselor experience.

Licensing authority: Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Initial APC licensure by examination
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Contract
Register an acceptable directed-experience-under-supervision contract for the post-degree LPC experience and notify the Board of changes by submitting a new contract within 14 days.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education
Earn a regionally accredited clinical counseling or counseling psychology master's degree or higher with at least 60 semester or 80 quarter hours and approved supervised internship/practicum primarily counseling in content as part of the degree. Meet the applicable Board coursework and practicum requirements.
Exam timing
Apply to the Board and take the prescribed examination after Board approval; a passing score is needed before licensure.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Practice limit
Practice only under direction and supervision, using the associate professional counselor title, for no more than five years while obtaining the required post-degree experience.
Initial APC licensure by examination waiver based on an existing passing score
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Contract
Register an acceptable directed-experience-under-supervision contract for the post-degree LPC experience and notify the Board of changes by submitting a new contract within 14 days.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education
Earn a regionally accredited clinical counseling or counseling psychology master's degree or higher with at least 60 semester or 80 quarter hours and approved supervised internship/practicum primarily counseling in content as part of the degree. Meet the applicable Board coursework and practicum requirements.
Exam timing
Already have a passing NCE or NCMHCE score and request official reporting; the currently offered exam remains involved even though retaking is waived.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Practice limit
Practice only under direction and supervision, using the associate professional counselor title, for no more than five years while obtaining the required post-degree experience.
One time reinstatement of a lapsed APC
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Board discretion
Reinstatement remains in the Board's discretion.
Continuing education
Meet Rule 135-6-.04(1) CE requirements: 35 hours for each missed renewal cycle, at least 35 within the prior two years, and the required penalty fee.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Prior license
An APC that lapsed for failure to renew may be reinstated only once; an associate license that lapses a second time is not reinstated.
Remaining term
Reinstatement permits only the remaining portion of the original five-year period; it does not start a new five-year term.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial APC renewal, including late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Associate limit
APC renewal does not extend the five-year maximum duration from original issuance.
Continuing education
Complete 35 CE hours per biennial cycle, including five synchronous ethics hours and at least 15 core hours among the remaining 30; at most ten hours may be asynchronous. An initially issued license in the second year of the cycle has a first-renewal exemption, but APC-to-LPC issuance does not reset this exemption.
Deadline
Submit a complete renewal application and fee by September 30 of each even-numbered year. The October 1-31 late-renewal period adds a penalty fee; after October 31 reinstatement is required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Retained APC initial application received on or before June 30, 2022
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Cohort
The initial application was received and date stamped by June 30, 2022 and remains before the Board through a valid extension or extenuating-circumstances determination; otherwise the one-year application-expiration rule applies.
Contract
Register a Board-acceptable post-master's direction and supervision contract.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education
A recognized master's primarily counseling in content or in applied psychology, including supervised internship/practicum as part of the degree, under the retained pre-July 2022 education rules.
Exam timing
Supply the existing official NCE or NCMHCE passing score, or sit the prescribed professional counseling examination following Board approval.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Practice limit
Associate practice remains under direction and supervision and cannot exceed five years.

Licensed Professional Counselor

Full professional counseling license. Current initial education routes and retained pre-July 2022 applicant cohorts are distinguished below.

Licensing authority: Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists · Application information

Convert an active LPC to inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed signed notarized inactive-status application and license pocket card; there is no application fee.
Eligibility
The licensee does not intend to practice in Georgia or use the professional counselor title. APCs cannot obtain inactive status.
Status
Inactive licenses need not satisfy biennial renewal requirements and can remain inactive for at most five years; failure to apply for reactivation by then results in revocation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

LPC licensure by endorsement
Additional verification
The Board may request further verification of submitted credentials.
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Exam condition
The Board may license without a new sitting under O.C.G.A. 43-10A-10 and Rule 135-3-.04, while its implementing Policy VII requires verification of a passing NCE or NCMHCE score.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Other jurisdiction license
Hold a current professional counselor license in good standing in a jurisdiction with substantially equal or greater requirements; request its licensing authority to submit Form N.
Recent practice
Policy VII requires active unrestricted LPC-level practice for at least two years immediately preceding the endorsement application.
Unrestricted license duration
Policy VII requires verification of at least two years of unrestricted LPC-level licensure in good standing from every licensing authority where the applicant has ever been licensed.
LPC licensure from a current APC governed by post July 2022 education requirements
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Coursework and supervision
Meet the applicable Board coursework, practicum and qualified-supervisor requirements. Rule 135-5-.02 specifies counseling theory, practicum, and the nine content areas; supervision and directed experience after September 30, 2018 must be within the prior 60 months, with 1,000 directed-experience hours and 35 supervision hours per required year. The higher-ranked 2022 statute and Policy VIII govern the changed degree and experience-duration requirements.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education
Either a regionally accredited clinical counseling or counseling psychology master's degree or higher of at least 60 semester or 80 quarter hours with an approved counseling internship/practicum and two years of post-degree directed, supervised experience; or a recognized doctoral degree primarily counseling in content requiring at least one year of supervised internship in a Board-acceptable setting.
Exam waiver
Rule 135-3-.03(2)(b)(2) does not require a current APC to retake the professional counseling examination; the LPC checklist does not require resubmitting an exam score report already on file.
Existing license
Hold a current Georgia APC based on the current statutory education requirements.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
LPC licensure from an APC whose initial application was received by June 30, 2022
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Cohort
The initial APC application was received and date stamped on or before June 30, 2022, and the Board previously approved its education and experience requirements. Policy VIII retains the prior rules regardless of the date of the LPC application.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education and experience
The retained route requires a counseling-content or applied-psychology master's with supervised internship/practicum and four years of directed supervised post-master's experience, with up to one year from approved degree practicum. An APC licensed before July 1, 2022 who meets the current 60-semester/80-quarter-hour education requirement may proceed with two years of appropriately supervised directed experience.
Exam waiver
A current APC is not required to retake the professional counseling examination; an official NCE or NCMHCE score already on file need not be resubmitted.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Initial LPC licensure by examination
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Coursework and supervision
Meet the applicable Board coursework, practicum and qualified-supervisor requirements. Rule 135-5-.02 specifies counseling theory, practicum, and the nine content areas; supervision and directed experience after September 30, 2018 must be within the prior 60 months, with 1,000 directed-experience hours and 35 supervision hours per required year. The higher-ranked 2022 statute and Policy VIII govern the changed degree and experience-duration requirements.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education
Either a regionally accredited clinical counseling or counseling psychology master's degree or higher of at least 60 semester or 80 quarter hours with an approved counseling internship/practicum and two years of post-degree directed, supervised experience; or a recognized doctoral degree primarily counseling in content requiring at least one year of supervised internship in a Board-acceptable setting.
Exam timing
Board approval precedes sitting the examination; the license cannot issue until a passing NCE or NCMHCE result is supplied.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Initial LPC licensure by examination waiver based on an existing passing score
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Coursework and supervision
Meet the applicable Board coursework, practicum and qualified-supervisor requirements. Rule 135-5-.02 specifies counseling theory, practicum, and the nine content areas; supervision and directed experience after September 30, 2018 must be within the prior 60 months, with 1,000 directed-experience hours and 35 supervision hours per required year. The higher-ranked 2022 statute and Policy VIII govern the changed degree and experience-duration requirements.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education
Either a regionally accredited clinical counseling or counseling psychology master's degree or higher of at least 60 semester or 80 quarter hours with an approved counseling internship/practicum and two years of post-degree directed, supervised experience; or a recognized doctoral degree primarily counseling in content requiring at least one year of supervised internship in a Board-acceptable setting.
Exam timing
The applicant has already passed NCE or NCMHCE and requests official score certification; exam waiver is waiver of retaking, not absence of the currently offered examination.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Reactivate an inactive LPC within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reactivation application, fee and evidence of 35 CE hours obtained within two years of the reactivation application.
Approval
The license is reactivated upon Board approval of the application, fee and CE documents.
Eligibility
Apply within five years after conversion to inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

LPC reinstatement following more than five years of inactive status
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is subject to Board approval.
Continuing education
Provide 35 CE hours completed within the two years preceding receipt of the reinstatement application.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Examination
Retake and pass the required licensing examination. Retaking is not required when the applicant is currently, and continuously has been, licensed and practicing elsewhere under requirements meeting or exceeding current Georgia requirements. This applicant-specific waiver does not remove the registered exam leaves.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Prior qualifications
Previously used qualifying education, experience and supervision may be used for reinstatement.
Prior status
An LPC inactive for more than five years must apply for reinstatement under Rule 135-6-.06(6); inactivity is not available to APCs.
LPC reinstatement more than five years after expiration
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is subject to Board approval.
Continuing education
Provide 35 CE hours completed within the two years preceding receipt of the reinstatement application.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Examination
Retake and pass the required licensing examination. Retaking is not required when the applicant is currently, and continuously has been, licensed and practicing elsewhere under requirements meeting or exceeding current Georgia requirements. This applicant-specific waiver does not remove the registered exam leaves.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Prior license
Previously held a Georgia LPC that expired more than five years before the reinstatement application.
Prior qualifications
Previously used qualifying education, experience and supervision may be used for reinstatement.
LPC reinstatement within five years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Board discretion
Pay the late-renewal penalty fee; reinstatement is discretionary and the Board may request additional information.
Continuing education
Provide 35 CE hours for each missed renewal cycle, with at least 35 completed within the two years before receipt of the reinstatement application.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Prior license
Previously held LPC; reinstatement application is submitted within five years of expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial LPC renewal, including late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Associate limit
Maintain the LPC license subject to the renewal and CE rules.
Continuing education
Complete 35 CE hours per biennial cycle, including five synchronous ethics hours and at least 15 core hours among the remaining 30; at most ten hours may be asynchronous. An initially issued license in the second year of the cycle has a first-renewal exemption, but APC-to-LPC issuance does not reset this exemption.
Deadline
Submit a complete renewal application and fee by September 30 of each even-numbered year. The October 1-31 late-renewal period adds a penalty fee; after October 31 reinstatement is required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Retained LPC initial application received on or before June 30, 2022
Application
Submit the complete Board application and fee, official degree transcript, applicable practicum and supervised-experience verifications, secure and verifiable identity document, and citizenship/immigration affidavit. Disclose convictions and disciplinary actions with the required documents.
Cohort
An initial application received and date stamped by June 30, 2022 remains before the Board under a valid extension or extenuating-circumstances determination. Applications otherwise expire after one year under Rule 135-3-.01(3)(c); this is not a new application under the former education requirements.
Criminal background check
Provide satisfactory fingerprint-based Georgia and FBI background-check results at the applicant's expense for initial issuance, endorsement and reinstatement; register on or after submitting the application.
Education and experience
Policy VIII retains the pre-July 2022 alternatives: counseling doctorate with one supervised-internship year; counseling specialist degree with internship/practicum and two supervised directed post-master's years; rehabilitation/counseling master's with supervised internship/practicum and three rehabilitation-setting supervised post-master's years, up to one from approved placement; counseling-content or applied-psychology master's with internship/practicum and four supervised directed post-master's years, up to one from approved placement. Applicable prior Board coursework and qualified-supervision rules remain conditions.
Exam timing
Submit an existing official passing NCE or NCMHCE score, or take the required examination following Board approval.
Military expedited processing
Military spouses and qualifying transitioning service members may obtain expedited processing under Rule 135-13-.01; fee and all substantive requirements of the underlying license still apply. The short official rule page was inspected and contains the operative text.
Rehabilitation certification
When proceeding under the retained rehabilitation counselor provisions, hold the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor designation required by the former statute and Rule 135-5-.02(e). The state text identifies the designation as a qualification; it does not identify a separate CRC examination slot for licensure.

National Counselor Examination

Provider
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); administered through the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) and delivered by Pearson VUE at test centers or online through OnVUE
Format
200-question, multiple-choice, non-sectioned examination; scored and unscored items appear in jumbled order; a different form is compiled for each administration
Exam questions
200 multiple-choice questions: 160 scored and 40 unscored field-test items
Time limit
225 minutes to complete the examination within a 255-minute test session (one scheduled 15-minute break after question #100)
Passing score
Criterion passing score set by a modified Angoff method and adjusted for each form by statistical equating; passing scores may vary slightly for each version
Examination outline
  • 1. Professional Practice and Ethics — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities related to maintaining proper administrative and clinical protocols. (12% of items; 19 scored items) (12%)
    • A. Assess your (the counselor) competency to work with a specific client
    • B. Understand statistical concepts and methods in research
    • C. Practice legal and ethical counseling
    • D. Clarify counselor–client roles
    • E. Discuss client’s rights and responsibilities
    • F. Discuss limits of confidentiality
    • G. Explain counselor agency policies
    • H. Review payment, fees, and insurance benefits
    • I. Explain counseling processes, procedures, risks, and benefits
    • J. Explain uses and limits of social media
    • K. Inform clients about the legal aspects of counseling
    • L. Obtain informed consent
    • M. Discuss confidentiality as it applies to electronic communication
    • N. Establish group rules, expectations, and termination criteria
    • O. Assess competency to provide informed consent
    • P. Monitor the therapeutic relationship and build trust as needed
    • Q. Review client records
    • R. Provide adequate accommodations for clients with disabilities
    • S. Provide information to third parties
    • T. Provide referral sources if counseling services are inadequate/ inappropriate
    • U. Advocate for professional and client issues
    • V. Seek supervision/consultation
    • W. Create and maintain documentation appropriate for each aspect of the counseling process
    • X. Awareness and practice of self-care
  • 2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively conduct client intake, assessment, and diagnosis. (12% of items; 19 scored items) (12%)
    • A. Conduct a biopsychosocial interview
    • B. Conduct a diagnostic interview
    • C. Conduct cultural formulation interview
    • D. Conduct an initial interview
    • E. Determine diagnosis
    • F. Perform a Mental Status Exam (MSE)
    • G. Consider co-occurring diagnoses
    • H. Determine level of care needed
    • I. Determine the appropriate modality of treatment
    • J. Assess the presenting problem and level of distress
    • K. Evaluate an individual’s level of mental health functioning
    • L. Screen clients for appropriate services
    • M. Select, use, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments
    • N. Use formal and informal observations
    • O. Assess for trauma
    • P. Assess substance use
    • Q. Obtain client self-reports
    • R. Evaluate interactional dynamics
    • S. Conduct ongoing assessment for at-risk behaviors (i.e., suicide, homicide, self/other injury, and relationship violence)
    • T. Use pre-test and post-test measures to assess outcomes
    • U. Evaluate counseling effectiveness
  • 3. Areas of Clinical Focus — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge and skills related to areas of clients’ concern(s). (29% of items; 47 scored items) (29%)
    • A. Adjustment related to physical loss/injury/medical condition
    • B. Aging/geriatric concerns
    • C. Behavioral problems
    • D. Bullying
    • E. Caregiving concerns
    • F. Cultural adjustments
    • G. End-of-life issues
    • H. Fear and panic
    • I. Financial issues
    • J. Gender identity development
    • K. Grief/loss
    • L. Hopelessness/depression
    • M. Loneliness/attachment
    • N. Hyper/hypo mental focus
    • O. Intellectual functioning issues
    • P. Insomnia/sleep issues
    • Q. Maladaptive eating behaviors
    • R. Remarriage/recommitment
    • S. Developmental processes/tasks/issues
    • T. Obsessive thoughts/behaviors
    • U. Occupation and career development
    • V. Physical issues related to anxiety
    • W. Physical issues related to depression
    • X. Physical/emotional issues related to trauma
    • Y. Process addictions (pornography, gambling)
    • Z. Racism/discrimination/oppression
    • AA. Religious values conflict
    • AB. Retirement concerns
    • AC. Ruminating and/or intrusive thoughts
    • AD. Separation from primary care givers
    • AE. Sexual functioning concerns
    • AF. Sleeping habits
    • AG. Spiritual/existential concerns
    • AH. Stress management
    • AI. Substance use/addiction issues
    • AJ. Suicidal thoughts/behaviors
    • AK. Terminal illness issues
    • AL. Visual/auditory hallucinations
    • AM. Worry and anxiety
    • AN. Adoption issues
    • AO. Blended family issues
    • AP. Child abuse-related concerns
    • AQ. Child development issues
    • AR. Dating/relationship problems
    • AS. Divorce
    • AT. Family abuse/violence (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional)
    • AU. Interpersonal partner violence concerns
    • AV. Marital/partner communication problems
    • AW. Parenting/co-parenting conflicts
    • AX. Emotional dysregulation
  • 4. Treatment Planning — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop an effective course of treatment. (9% of items; 14 scored items) (9%)
    • A. Collaborate with client to establish treatment goals and objectives
    • B. Establish short- and long-term counseling goals consistent with clients’ diagnoses
    • C. Identify barriers affecting client goal attainment
    • D. Identify strengths that improve the likelihood of goal attainment
    • E. Refer to different levels of treatment (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, residential, etc.)
    • F. Refer to others for concurrent treatment
    • G. Guide treatment planning
    • H. Discuss termination process and issues
    • I. Discuss transitions in group membership
    • J. Follow-up after discharge
    • K. Use assessment instrument results to facilitate client decision making
    • L. Review and revise the treatment plan
    • M. Engage clients in review of progress toward treatment goals
    • N. Collaborate with other providers and client support systems (documentation and report writing)
    • O. Discuss with clients the integration and maintenance of therapeutic progress
    • P. Educate client to the value of treatment plan compliance
  • 5. Counseling Skills and Interventions — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct effective counseling. (30% of items; 48 scored items) (30%)
    • A. Align intervention with client’s developmental level
    • B. Align intervention with counseling modality (individual, couple, family, or group)
    • C. Align intervention with client population (e.g., veterans, minorities, disenfranchised, disabled)
    • D. Implement individual counseling in relation to a plan of treatment
    • E. Establish therapeutic alliance
    • F. Apply theory-based counseling intervention(s)
    • G. Address addiction issues
    • H. Address cultural considerations
    • I. Address family composition and cultural considerations
    • J. Evaluate and explain systemic patterns of interaction
    • K. Explore family member interaction
    • L. Explore religious and spiritual values
    • M. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
    • N. Help clients develop support systems
    • O. Help facilitate clients’ motivation to make the changes they desire
    • P. Improve interactional patterns
    • Q. Provide crisis intervention
    • R. Educate client about transference and defense mechanisms
    • S. Facilitate trust and safety
    • T. Build communication skills
    • U. Develop conflict resolution strategies
    • V. Develop safety plans
    • W. Facilitate systemic change
    • X. Provide distance counseling or telemental health
    • Y. Provide education resources (e.g., stress management, assertiveness training, divorce adjustment)
    • Z. Provide psychoeducation for client
    • AA. Summarize
    • AB. Reframe/redirect
    • AC. Facilitate empathic responses
    • AD. Use self-disclosure
    • AE. Use constructive confrontation
    • AF. Facilitate awareness of here-and-now interactions
    • AG. Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
    • AH. Use linking and blocking in a group context
    • AI. Management of leader–member dynamics
    • AJ. Model giving and receiving of feedback
    • AK. Address impact of extended families
    • AL. Contain and manage intense feelings
    • AM. Explore the influence of family of origin patterns and themes
    • AN. Address the impact of social support network
    • AO. Use “structured” activities
    • AP. Promote and encourage interactions among group members
    • AQ. Promote and encourage interactions with the group leader
    • AR. Use psychoeducation as a part of the group process
    • AS. Explain phases in the group process
    • AT. Identify and discuss group themes and patterns
    • AU. Create intervention based on the stage of group development
    • AV. Challenge harmful group member behaviors
    • AW. Address the potential interaction of members outside of the group
  • 6. Core Counseling Attributes — This section encompasses behaviors, traits, and dispositions of effective counselors. (8% of items; 13 scored items) (8%)
    • A. Awareness of self and impact on clients
    • B. Genuineness
    • C. Congruence
    • D. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to gender orientation and gender issues
    • E. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issues
    • F. Demonstrate conflict tolerance and resolution
    • G. Empathic attunement
    • H. Empathic responding
    • I. Foster the emergence of group therapeutic factors
    • J. Non-judgmental stance
    • K. Positive regard
    • L. Respect and acceptance for diversity
    • M. Use foundational listening, attending, and reflecting skills
Examination sources

National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination

Provider
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC); administered through the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) and delivered by Pearson VUE at test centers or online through OnVUE
Format
11 clinical case studies, each with one narrative in three sections (initial intake summary and two counseling sessions) followed by 9–15 four-option, single-answer multiple-choice questions; one case study is unscored
Exam questions
130–150 multiple-choice items, of which 100 are scored
Time limit
225 minutes to complete the examination within a 255-minute test session (one scheduled 15-minute break after the fifth case study)
Passing score
Cut score set through standard setting and applied to other forms through statistical equating; the total score is the number of correctly answered scored items
Examination outline
  • 1. Professional Practice and Ethics — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities related to maintaining proper administrative and clinical protocols. (15% of scored items) (15%)
    • A. Assess your (the counselor) competency to work with a specific client
    • B. Understand statistical concepts and methods in research
    • C. Practice legal and ethical counseling
    • D. Clarify counselor/client roles
    • E. Discuss client’s rights and responsibilities
    • F. Discuss limits of confidentiality
    • G. Explain counselor/agency policies
    • H. Review payment, fees, and insurance benefits
    • I. Explain counseling processes, procedures, risks, and benefits
    • J. Explain uses and limits of social media
    • K. Inform clients about the legal aspects of counseling
    • L. Obtain informed consent
    • M. Discuss confidentiality as it applies to electronic communication
    • N. Establish group rules, expectations, and termination criteria
    • O. Assess competency to provide informed consent
    • P. Monitor the therapeutic relationship and build trust as needed
    • Q. Review client records
    • R. Provide adequate accommodations for clients with disabilities
    • S. Provide information to third parties
    • T. Provide referral sources if counseling services are inadequate/inappropriate
    • U. Advocate for professional and client issues
    • V. Supervision
    • W. Create and maintain documentation appropriate for each aspect of the counseling process
    • X. Awareness and practice of self-care
  • 2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively conduct client intake, assessment, and diagnosis. (25% of scored items) (25%)
    • A. Conduct a biopsychosocial interview
    • B. Conduct a diagnostic interview
    • C. Conduct cultural formulation interview
    • D. Conduct an initial interview
    • E. Determine diagnosis
    • F. Perform a Mental Status Exam (MSE)
    • G. Consider co-occurring diagnoses
    • H. Determine level of care needed
    • I. Determine the appropriate modality of treatment
    • J. Assess the presenting problem and level of distress
    • K. Evaluate an individual’s level of mental health functioning
    • L. Screen clients for appropriate services
    • M. Select, use, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments
    • N. Use formal and informal observations
    • O. Assess for trauma
    • P. Assess substance use
    • Q. Obtain client self-reports
    • R. Evaluate interactional dynamics
    • S. Conduct ongoing assessment for at-risk behaviors (i.e., suicide, homicide, self/other-injury, and relationship violence)
    • T. Use pre-test and post-test measures to assess outcomes
    • U. Evaluate counseling effectiveness
  • 4. Treatment Planning — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to develop an effective course of treatment. (15% of scored items) (15%)
    • A. Collaborate with client to establish treatment goals and objectives
    • B. Establish short- and long-term counseling goals consistent with client’s diagnosis
    • C. Identify barriers affecting client goal attainment
    • D. Identify strengths that improve the likelihood of goal attainment
    • E. Refer to different levels of treatment (e.g., outpatient, inpatient, residential)
    • F. Refer to others for concurrent treatment
    • G. Guide treatment planning
    • H. Discuss termination process and issues
    • I. Discuss transitions in group membership
    • J. Follow up after discharge
    • K. Use assessment instrument results to facilitate client decision-making
    • L. Review and revise the treatment plan
    • M. Engage clients in review of progress toward treatment goals
    • N. Collaborate with other providers and client support systems (documentation and report writing)
    • O. Discuss with clients the integration and maintenance of therapeutic progress
    • P. Educate client to the value of treatment plan compliance
  • 5. Counseling Skills and Interventions — This section encompasses counselors’ knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct effective counseling. (30% of scored items) (30%)
    • A. Align intervention with client’s developmental level
    • B. Align intervention with counseling modality (individual, couple, family, or group)
    • C. Align intervention with client population (e.g., veterans, minorities, disenfranchised, disabled)
    • D. Implement individual counseling in relation to a plan of treatment
    • E. Establish therapeutic alliance
    • F. Apply theory-based counseling intervention(s)
    • G. Address addiction issues
    • H. Address cultural considerations
    • I. Address family composition and cultural considerations
    • J. Evaluate and explain systemic patterns of interaction
    • K. Explore family member interaction
    • L. Explore religious and spiritual values
    • M. Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
    • N. Help clients develop support systems
    • O. Help facilitate clients’ motivation to make the changes they desire
    • P. Improve interactional patterns
    • Q. Provide crisis intervention
    • R. Educate client about transference and defense mechanisms
    • S. Facilitate trust and safety
    • T. Build communication skills
    • U. Develop conflict resolution strategies
    • V. Develop safety plans
    • W. Facilitate systemic change
    • X. Provide distance counseling or telemental health
    • Y. Provide education resources (e.g., stress management, assertiveness training, divorce adjustment)
    • Z. Provide psychoeducation for client
    • AA. Summarize
    • AB. Reframe/redirect
    • AC. Facilitate empathic responses
    • AD. Use self-disclosure
    • AE. Use constructive confrontation
    • AF. Facilitate awareness of here-and-now interactions
    • AG. Facilitate resolution of interpersonal conflict
    • AH. Use linking and blocking in a group context
    • AI. Management of leader–member dynamics
    • AJ. Model giving and receiving of feedback
    • AK. Address impact of extended families
    • AL. Contain and manage intense feelings
    • AM. Explore the influence of family of origin patterns and themes
    • AN. Address the impact of social support network
    • AO. Use “structured” activities
    • AP. Promote and encourage interactions among group members
    • AQ. Promote and encourage interactions with the group leader
    • AR. Use psychoeducation as a part of the group process
    • AS. Explain phases in the group process
    • AT. Identify and discuss group themes and patterns
    • AU. Create intervention based on the stage of group development
    • AV. Challenge harmful group member behaviors
    • AW. Address the potential interaction of members outside of the group
  • 6. Core Counseling Attributes — This section encompasses behaviors, traits, and dispositions of effective counselors. (15% of scored items) (15%)
    • A. Awareness of self and impact on clients
    • B. Genuineness
    • C. Congruence
    • D. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to gender orientation and gender issues
    • E. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to multicultural issues
    • F. Demonstrate conflict tolerance and resolution
    • G. Empathic attunement
    • H. Empathic responding
    • I. Foster the emergence of group therapeutic factors
    • J. Non-judgmental stance
    • K. Positive regard
    • L. Respect and acceptance for diversity
    • M. Use foundational listening, attending, and reflecting skills
Examination sources