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Nevada Professional Counselor — Requirements & Free Practice

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Clinical Professional Counselor

Independent clinical professional counseling license. Current qualifications are established by NRS 641A.231, with endorsement under NRS 641A.242. The prior interim permit and couples/families specialty endorsement were repealed by R094-18; they are not current credential types.

Licensing authority: Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors · Application information

Reinstatement following a child support or subpoena/warrant suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Clearance letter
The Board must receive the district-attorney or other public-agency letter described in NRS 641A.313(2), stating compliance with the subpoena/warrant or satisfaction of arrearage.
Restoration
The statute directs reinstatement upon receipt of that clearance letter; this restoration route does not impose a licensing examination.
Suspension
The license was suspended under the court-order procedure in NRS 641A.313.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited licensure by endorsement (Board application labeled reciprocity)
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affidavit
Affirm by affidavit that the application and accompanying materials are true and correct.
Disciplinary history
Provide satisfactory proof that the corresponding regulatory authority has not disciplined the applicant.
Existing license
Hold a corresponding valid, unrestricted professional-counselor license in the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United States.
Fees and documents
Pay the prescribed fees and provide other information required by the Board. The current Board checklist additionally lists identification, current license verification and a National Practitioner Data Bank self-query; the checklist corroborates the statute and is not treated as historical proof of its post-evaluation-date formatting.
Fingerprints
Provide fingerprints and authorization for Nevada/FBI and any other background reports the Board deems necessary.
Malpractice history
Provide satisfactory proof that the applicant has not been held civilly or criminally liable for malpractice.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Processing
NRS 641A.242 requires notice of additional information within 15 business days and issuance within 45 days after all additional information is received unless denied for good cause.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination following qualifying education and supervised experience
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Academic review
NAC 641A.085 requires graduate-level coursework and at least 60 semester or 72 quarter hours. The counselor curriculum includes human development/sexuality, individual counseling theories and techniques, lifestyle/career development, groups, ethics, supervised practice, diagnosis/assessment, social/cultural foundations, research/evaluation, substance use disorders, couples counseling, family systems, crisis/trauma, and grief/loss. Supervised graduate practice includes individuals, couples and families for at least 40 weeks. The Board recognizes the accredited-program and equivalent-education/experience alternatives and the stated pre-August-30-2023 degree provision in subsection 7.
Age
At least 21 years of age.
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts, government-issued identification, any existing counseling-license verification and good standing, fees, fingerprints and authorization for state/FBI criminal-history reports under NRS 641A.210 and 641A.213 and NAC 641A.065.
Character
Good moral character satisfactory to the Board.
Education
Under NRS 641A.231(3), provide approved psychiatry residency training, a CACREP-approved mental health/community counseling graduate degree, or an acceptable degree with a concurrent supervised mental-health practicum and internship. The Board applies NAC 641A.075 and 641A.085 to determine academic sufficiency.
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview or appearance; the CPC interview is not automatically part of approval. The interview page identifies an oral examination only for marriage and family therapist applicants.
Lawful work status
The Board services page additionally asks the applicant to be a US citizen or lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Supervised experience
NRS 641A.231(4) requires at least two years of postgraduate professional-counseling experience and at least 3,000 supervised hours, including at least 1,500 direct-client hours and at least 100 direct-supervision hours with at least one hour per week for each work setting. NAC 641A.146(5) specifies 1,500 direct-client hours, 300 supervised counseling hours (including at least 160 with the primary and 40 with secondary supervisors), and 1,200 related-work hours, with its specified limits and prior-experience credit rules.
Testing window
NAC 641A.156 permits a first attempt during the final semester or quarter of graduate study and before intern-license expiration. The Board services page states: "An applicant for CPC licensure must take such examination for the first time at any time after receipt of their eligible application and before the expiration of their license as a CPC-Intern." A passing official NBCC score must reach the Board before independent licensure.
Reactivation of an inactive license within three continuous years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application and fee
Submit the reactivation application and pay the biennial renewal fee under NRS 641A.285.
Competence
Demonstrate current qualification and competence if the Board deems that necessary; the provision does not identify a separate examination.
Continuing education
NAC 641A.131(8) requires at least 20 hours in the year immediately before reactivation, including six ethics, four suicide-prevention and four cultural-competency/diversity/equity/inclusion hours.
Inactive status
The license was placed on inactive status in good standing and has remained inactive no more than three continuous years.
Longer inactivity
For inactivity exceeding three years, apply the revocation/lapse provisions in NRS 641A.285(2); a continuous five-year lapse requires current-law reapplication.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication by endorsement after five continuous years of lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Affidavit
Affirm by affidavit that the application and accompanying materials are true and correct.
Disciplinary history
Provide satisfactory proof that the corresponding regulatory authority has not disciplined the applicant.
Existing license
Hold a corresponding valid, unrestricted professional-counselor license in the District of Columbia or a state or territory of the United States.
Fees and documents
Pay the prescribed fees and provide other information required by the Board. The current Board checklist additionally lists identification, current license verification and a National Practitioner Data Bank self-query; the checklist corroborates the statute and is not treated as historical proof of its post-evaluation-date formatting.
Fingerprints
Provide fingerprints and authorization for Nevada/FBI and any other background reports the Board deems necessary.
Five year lapse
The prior Nevada license has lapsed continuously for five years; reapply under current law pursuant to NRS 641A.280, using NRS 641A.242 if a corresponding valid unrestricted license is held elsewhere.
Malpractice history
Provide satisfactory proof that the applicant has not been held civilly or criminally liable for malpractice.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Processing
NRS 641A.242 requires notice of additional information within 15 business days and issuance within 45 days after all additional information is received unless denied for good cause.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication by examination after five continuous years of lapse
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Academic review
NAC 641A.085 requires graduate-level coursework and at least 60 semester or 72 quarter hours. The counselor curriculum includes human development/sexuality, individual counseling theories and techniques, lifestyle/career development, groups, ethics, supervised practice, diagnosis/assessment, social/cultural foundations, research/evaluation, substance use disorders, couples counseling, family systems, crisis/trauma, and grief/loss. Supervised graduate practice includes individuals, couples and families for at least 40 weeks. The Board recognizes the accredited-program and equivalent-education/experience alternatives and the stated pre-August-30-2023 degree provision in subsection 7.
Age
At least 21 years of age.
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts, government-issued identification, any existing counseling-license verification and good standing, fees, fingerprints and authorization for state/FBI criminal-history reports under NRS 641A.210 and 641A.213 and NAC 641A.065.
Character
Good moral character satisfactory to the Board.
Education
Under NRS 641A.231(3), provide approved psychiatry residency training, a CACREP-approved mental health/community counseling graduate degree, or an acceptable degree with a concurrent supervised mental-health practicum and internship. The Board applies NAC 641A.075 and 641A.085 to determine academic sufficiency.
Five year lapse
NRS 641A.280 requires reapplication under the laws and regulations in effect at application after five continuous years of lapse.
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview or appearance; the CPC interview is not automatically part of approval. The interview page identifies an oral examination only for marriage and family therapist applicants.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Passing score
The currently offered NCMHCE is included because the renewed initial-licensure requirements in NRS 641A.231(4)(c) require a passing score; the Board assesses the submitted evidence.
Supervised experience
NRS 641A.231(4) requires at least two years of postgraduate professional-counseling experience and at least 3,000 supervised hours, including at least 1,500 direct-client hours and at least 100 direct-supervision hours with at least one hour per week for each work setting. NAC 641A.146(5) specifies 1,500 direct-client hours, 300 supervised counseling hours (including at least 160 with the primary and 40 with secondary supervisors), and 1,200 related-work hours, with its specified limits and prior-experience credit rules.
Reinstatement after revocation for nonpayment, before five continuous years of lapse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply in writing for reinstatement; the Board may impose additional requirements including an interview under NAC 641A.116.
Continuing education
Provide evidence of the continuing education required for the revoked period unless waived under NRS 641A.265.
Fees
Pay the biennial renewal fee and late-payment fee prescribed by NRS 641A.270 and NAC 641A.105.
Prior status
The license was automatically revoked for failure to pay the renewal fee and has not lapsed continuously for five years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal of an active license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply for renewal, pay the biennial fee, and provide the information required by NRS 641A.260(1) by 10 business days after expiration. Licenses expire January 1 of each even-numbered year.
Board deadline statement
The Board renewal page states: "Therefore, the license renewal fee of $450.00 must be post dated by the 31st of December." It further states: "Pursuant to NRS 641A.270 failure to pay the fee for renewal automatically affects a revocation of the license on date of expiration of the license." The statute fixes automatic revocation at 10 business days after expiration.
Child support statement
Submit the child-support compliance statement required by NRS 641A.215.
Continuing education
NAC 641A.131 ordinarily requires 40 hours per licensing period with first-period proration, six ethics hours, four suicide-prevention hours, and cultural-competency hours. NRS 641A.260, effective July 1, 2026, requires at least six cultural-competency/diversity/equity/inclusion hours, controlling over the rule's lower amount. Approved supervisors need two hours about supervision. At most 20 hours may be non-interactive distance education.
Trauma training report
NRS 641A.262 asks for trauma-training and emergency-response information, but failure to report is not by itself grounds to deny renewal.
Waiver
NRS 641A.265 allows waiver of all or part of continuing education when circumstances beyond the licensee's control prevented completion; NAC 641A.131(6) permits waiver or proration for a partial first period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Clinical Professional Counselor Intern

License to acquire supervised experience; independent practice is prohibited. NAC 641A.156 identifies the NCMHCE and permits its first attempt during the final graduate term and before expiration of the intern license.

Licensing authority: Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors · Application information

Initial licensure as a clinical professional counselor intern
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Academic review
NAC 641A.085 requires graduate-level coursework and at least 60 semester or 72 quarter hours. The counselor curriculum includes human development/sexuality, individual counseling theories and techniques, lifestyle/career development, groups, ethics, supervised practice, diagnosis/assessment, social/cultural foundations, research/evaluation, substance use disorders, couples counseling, family systems, crisis/trauma, and grief/loss. Supervised graduate practice includes individuals, couples and families for at least 40 weeks. The Board recognizes the accredited-program and equivalent-education/experience alternatives and the stated pre-August-30-2023 degree provision in subsection 7.
Age
At least 21 years of age.
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts, government-issued identification, any existing counseling-license verification and good standing, fees, fingerprints and authorization for state/FBI criminal-history reports under NRS 641A.210 and 641A.213 and NAC 641A.065.
Character
Good moral character satisfactory to the Board.
Education
Provide a counseling graduate degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Board, including a practicum or internship, and satisfy the applicable graduate curriculum requirements.
Examination timing
NAC 641A.156(1)(d) identifies the examination required by NRS 641A.231 and permits the first attempt during the final semester or quarter and before expiration of the intern license. The Board services page says interns must pass before becoming independently licensed counselors. Intern issuance may precede the examination; its timing does not remove this currently offered examination from the route.
Internship duration
The intern license is valid for three years and may be renewed once; it expires upon supervision-agreement termination or issuance of the independent counselor license.
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview or appearance; the CPC interview is not automatically part of approval. The interview page identifies an oral examination only for marriage and family therapist applicants.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Scope
Practice only under supervision to obtain experience for independent counselor licensure; independent practice is prohibited.
Supervision agreement
Enter a Board-approved supervision agreement with a primary and secondary approved supervisor and submit the internship plan before beginning supervised experience.
Supervision reports
Submit the required primary-supervisor evaluation and accumulated-hours reports by September 15 and March 15 each year.
New intern application after revocation for missing supervision reports
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Academic review
NAC 641A.085 requires graduate-level coursework and at least 60 semester or 72 quarter hours. The counselor curriculum includes human development/sexuality, individual counseling theories and techniques, lifestyle/career development, groups, ethics, supervised practice, diagnosis/assessment, social/cultural foundations, research/evaluation, substance use disorders, couples counseling, family systems, crisis/trauma, and grief/loss. Supervised graduate practice includes individuals, couples and families for at least 40 weeks. The Board recognizes the accredited-program and equivalent-education/experience alternatives and the stated pre-August-30-2023 degree provision in subsection 7.
Age
At least 21 years of age.
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts, government-issued identification, any existing counseling-license verification and good standing, fees, fingerprints and authorization for state/FBI criminal-history reports under NRS 641A.210 and 641A.213 and NAC 641A.065.
Character
Good moral character satisfactory to the Board.
Education
Provide a counseling graduate degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Board, including a practicum or internship, and satisfy the applicable graduate curriculum requirements.
Examination timing
NAC 641A.156(1)(d) identifies the examination required by NRS 641A.231 and permits the first attempt during the final semester or quarter and before expiration of the intern license. The Board services page says interns must pass before becoming independently licensed counselors. Intern issuance may precede the examination; its timing does not remove this currently offered examination from the route.
Internship duration
The intern license is valid for three years and may be renewed once; it expires upon supervision-agreement termination or issuance of the independent counselor license.
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview or appearance; the CPC interview is not automatically part of approval. The interview page identifies an oral examination only for marriage and family therapist applicants.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Prior revocation
NAC 641A.146(3) requires reasons for failure to file the required reports and reapplication for a new license under current law.
Scope
Practice only under supervision to obtain experience for independent counselor licensure; independent practice is prohibited.
Supervision agreement
Enter a Board-approved supervision agreement with a primary and secondary approved supervisor and submit the internship plan before beginning supervised experience.
Supervision reports
Submit the required primary-supervisor evaluation and accumulated-hours reports by September 15 and March 15 each year.
New intern application after the former supervision agreement terminated
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Academic review
NAC 641A.085 requires graduate-level coursework and at least 60 semester or 72 quarter hours. The counselor curriculum includes human development/sexuality, individual counseling theories and techniques, lifestyle/career development, groups, ethics, supervised practice, diagnosis/assessment, social/cultural foundations, research/evaluation, substance use disorders, couples counseling, family systems, crisis/trauma, and grief/loss. Supervised graduate practice includes individuals, couples and families for at least 40 weeks. The Board recognizes the accredited-program and equivalent-education/experience alternatives and the stated pre-August-30-2023 degree provision in subsection 7.
Age
At least 21 years of age.
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts, government-issued identification, any existing counseling-license verification and good standing, fees, fingerprints and authorization for state/FBI criminal-history reports under NRS 641A.210 and 641A.213 and NAC 641A.065.
Character
Good moral character satisfactory to the Board.
Education
Provide a counseling graduate degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Board, including a practicum or internship, and satisfy the applicable graduate curriculum requirements.
Examination timing
NAC 641A.156(1)(d) identifies the examination required by NRS 641A.231 and permits the first attempt during the final semester or quarter and before expiration of the intern license. The Board services page says interns must pass before becoming independently licensed counselors. Intern issuance may precede the examination; its timing does not remove this currently offered examination from the route.
Former license expiration
NRS 641A.2882(2)(b)(1) expires the old intern license when the supervision agreement terminates. Establish a new approved agreement and satisfy the current new-license requirements.
Internship duration
The intern license is valid for three years and may be renewed once; it expires upon supervision-agreement termination or issuance of the independent counselor license.
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview or appearance; the CPC interview is not automatically part of approval. The interview page identifies an oral examination only for marriage and family therapist applicants.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Scope
Practice only under supervision to obtain experience for independent counselor licensure; independent practice is prohibited.
Supervision agreement
Enter a Board-approved supervision agreement with a primary and secondary approved supervisor and submit the internship plan before beginning supervised experience.
Supervision reports
Submit the required primary-supervisor evaluation and accumulated-hours reports by September 15 and March 15 each year.
Termination notice
Each party must notify the Board in writing within five days after termination under NRS 641A.2888(2).
New intern application after failure to complete the renewed internship
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination
Academic review
NAC 641A.085 requires graduate-level coursework and at least 60 semester or 72 quarter hours. The counselor curriculum includes human development/sexuality, individual counseling theories and techniques, lifestyle/career development, groups, ethics, supervised practice, diagnosis/assessment, social/cultural foundations, research/evaluation, substance use disorders, couples counseling, family systems, crisis/trauma, and grief/loss. Supervised graduate practice includes individuals, couples and families for at least 40 weeks. The Board recognizes the accredited-program and equivalent-education/experience alternatives and the stated pre-August-30-2023 degree provision in subsection 7.
Age
At least 21 years of age.
Application
Submit the Board application, official transcripts, government-issued identification, any existing counseling-license verification and good standing, fees, fingerprints and authorization for state/FBI criminal-history reports under NRS 641A.210 and 641A.213 and NAC 641A.065.
Character
Good moral character satisfactory to the Board.
Education
Provide a counseling graduate degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Board, including a practicum or internship, and satisfy the applicable graduate curriculum requirements.
Examination timing
NAC 641A.156(1)(d) identifies the examination required by NRS 641A.231 and permits the first attempt during the final semester or quarter and before expiration of the intern license. The Board services page says interns must pass before becoming independently licensed counselors. Intern issuance may precede the examination; its timing does not remove this currently offered examination from the route.
Internship duration
The intern license is valid for three years and may be renewed once; it expires upon supervision-agreement termination or issuance of the independent counselor license.
Interview
The Board may require a personal interview or appearance; the CPC interview is not automatically part of approval. The interview page identifies an oral examination only for marriage and family therapist applicants.
Military fee reduction
NAC 641A.105(2) charges half the application and initial issuance fees to an active service member, spouse of an active member, veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran. NRS 641A.290(2) also limits fees for eligible endorsement applicants to one-half of the statutory maximum.
Prior time limit
After failure to complete the internship within its one renewed three-year term, submit the reasons for the failure and apply for a new license under current law under NAC 641A.146(4).
Scope
Practice only under supervision to obtain experience for independent counselor licensure; independent practice is prohibited.
Supervision agreement
Enter a Board-approved supervision agreement with a primary and secondary approved supervisor and submit the internship plan before beginning supervised experience.
Supervision reports
Submit the required primary-supervisor evaluation and accumulated-hours reports by September 15 and March 15 each year.
Reinstatement following a child support or subpoena/warrant suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Clearance letter
The Board must receive the district-attorney or other public-agency letter described in NRS 641A.313(2), stating compliance with the subpoena/warrant or satisfaction of arrearage.
Restoration
The statute directs reinstatement upon receipt of that clearance letter; this restoration route does not impose a licensing examination.
Suspension
The license was suspended under the court-order procedure in NRS 641A.313.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

One permitted three year renewal of an intern license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline and fee
Apply by 10 business days after expiration and pay the intern-renewal fee.
Duration
The Board may grant one three-year renewal; failure to complete within the renewed period requires a new current-law application.
Existing license
Hold an intern license and have not previously received its one allowed renewal.
Request
If the internship is not complete within three years, request renewal and provide the required information.
Supervision reports
Continue the approved supervision agreement and semiannual progress/hour reports under NAC 641A.146.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

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