Exam Formats

Understand the structure of each certification exam

National Counselor Examination (NCE)

For LMHC Licensure ยท Administered by NBCC

Total Questions

200 total

160 scored, 40 unscored (research)

Duration

3.5 hours

Format

Computer-based, Multiple-choice

6 Content Domains

Professional Practice & Ethics

15% of items

Confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, professional boundaries

Intake, Assessment, & Diagnosis

25% of items

Biopsychosocial interviews, mental status exams, diagnosis, level of care

Areas of Clinical Focus

1% of items

Specific clinical populations and presenting concerns

Treatment Planning

15% of items

Goal-setting, treatment strategies, barriers, termination planning

Counseling Skills & Interventions

30% of items

Therapeutic techniques, crisis intervention, theory-based interventions

Core Counseling Attributes

15% of items

Empathy, genuineness, multicultural competence, self-awareness