NCE Practice Test

Take our NCE practice test below. The exam includes 30 total questions with a time limit. Find out if you are ready for your exam or not.

To begin, click on the “Start Exam” button below!

National Counselor Examination Overview

The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a certification exam designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for effective counseling practice.

The exam is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Here are the fast facts:

  • Total Number of Questions: 200
  • Time Limit: 3 Hours and 45 Minutes
  • Total Scored Questions: 160
  • Typical Passing Score (Cut Score): 88-105

There are 6 different categories tested on the exam:

  1. Professional Practice and Ethics: 12%
  2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis: 12%
  3. Areas of Clinical Focus: 29%
  4. Treatment Planning: 9%
  5. Counseling Skills and Interventions: 30%
  6. Core Counseling Attributes: 8%

Note: All category questions will be scattered throughout the 200 total questions.

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Review each category below to see the specific types of NCE questions you will be asked.

Professional Practice and Ethics (12%)

This section covers your ability to maintain proper administrative and clinical procedures.

  • Percent of Exam: 12%
  • Number of Scored Items: 19
  • Topics Tested:
    • Legal and Ethical Counseling
    • Counselor Competency and Accountability
    • Admin and Clinical Protocols
    • Client Communication and Rights
    • Cultural Sensitivity and Accessibility

Intake, Assessment, & Diagnosis (12%)

This section covers your ability and skills related to client intake, assessment, and diagnosis.

  • Percent of Exam: 12%
  • Number of Scored Items: 19
  • Topics Tested:
    • Client Interviews and Data Collection
    • Diagnosis and Assessment
    • Evaluating Presenting Issues
    • Assessment Tools and Techniques
    • Counseling Effectiveness and Outcomes
    • Screening and Referral

Areas of Clinical Focus (29%)

This section covers your ability and skills as they relate to a client’s concerns and issues.

  • Percent of Exam: 29%
  • Number of Scored Items: 47
  • Topics Tested:
    • Emotional and Psychological Concerns
    • Relationship and Family Issues
    • Developmental and Cultural Adjustments
    • Mental Health Symptoms and Disorders
    • Physical and Behavioral Health Concerns
    • Life Transitions and Existential Concerns
    • Specific Population Needs
    • Career and Financial Issues

Treatment Planning (9%)

This section covers your ability and skills as they relate to developing an effective course of treatment for your clients.

  • Percent of Exam: 9%
  • Number of Scored Items: 14
  • Topics Tested:
    • Establishing Goals and Objectives
    • Treatment Referrals
    • Treatment Planning and Implementation
    • Client Engagement and Collaboration
    • Documentation
    • Discharge and Termination

Counseling Skills and Interventions (30%)

This section covers your ability and skills as they relate to conducting effective counseling.

  • Percent of Exam: 30%
  • Number of Scored Items: 48
  • Topics Tested:
    • Therapeutic Alignment and Individualization
    • Therapeutic Alliance and Relationship Building
    • Addressing Client Needs
    • Crisis Intervention and Safety Planning
    • Group Counseling Skills
    • Family and Systemic Work
    • Psychoeducation and Telemental Health
    • Interpersonal Conflict and Emotional Management

Core Counseling Attributes (8%)

This section covers core behaviors, traits, and dispositions of successful counselors.

  • Percent of Exam: 8%
  • Number of Scored Items: 30
  • Topics Tested:
    • Self-Awareness and Authenticity
    • Cultural and Gender Sensitivity
    • Empathy and Positive Regard
    • Conflict Tolerance and Resolution
    • Foundational Counseling Skills

An image breaking down what is on the National Counselor Examination

NCE Study Strategies

Studying for the National Counselor Examination can be stressful. We have outlined some study tools and strategies you can implement into your routine.

Study Tools

You can prepare for your NCE by using a couple of different study tools:

  • Practice Exams: A NCE practice exam is a great tool to utilize when preparing for your exam. You will become more familiar with the format of the exam AND the types of questions on the exam.
  • Study Guides / Cheat Sheets: Our study guide and cheat sheets review ONLY the most important information. We have streamlined these resources to make them as to-the-point as possible. We hate wasting our user’s time.
  • Flashcards: The NCE covers a ton of concepts and vocab. Flashcards are an excellent way to review for this exam. We group our flashcards into categories, so you can focus on the categories you struggle with the most.

Benefits of Practice Tests

Some of the biggest benefits of using our NCE practice tests are:

  • Get a Baseline: You will have a good idea of where you stand after taking one of our full-length exams. You can begin with the free NCE practice test above to get started.
  • Timing: With the NCE being a timed exam, it is important to practice your timing. All of our full-length exams are built to simulate the actual exam. You will be able to figure out your pacing when using the exams.
  • Answer Explanations: We include an answer explanation with every question. You will be able to understand why a question was correct or incorrect and learn as you practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 200 total questions on the NCE. Of those 200 questions, only 160 are scored.

Yes, you will have 3 hours and 45 minutes to take the exam.

Yes, all of the 200 questions will be multiple-choice questions.

The passing score for each exam varies. The NBCC uses a “cut score” for each exam.

The cut score is typically in the 88-105 range.

Remember, only 160 questions are scored. To be comfortable with your score, you should shoot to answer 105+ questions correctly.

There are 6 different categories tested on the exam:

  1. Professional Practice and Ethics: 12%
  2. Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis: 12%
  3. Areas of Clinical Focus: 29%
  4. Treatment Planning: 9%
  5. Counseling Skills and Interventions: 30%
  6. Core Counseling Attributes: 8%

Candidates who do not pass must wait at least 30 days to retake the exam and cannot retest more than once in the same certification cycle. A new registration and fee are required for each retest.

You will need to pay $275 to take the National Counselor Examination.

Authored By: Mason

Mason is a Behavioral Health Specialist and has earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Mason has a plethora of knowledge in the counseling and psychology field.

Learn more about Mason.