The National Certified Counselor (NCC) is the premier voluntary credential available to professional counselors in the United States. This designation signifies that a counselor has met rigorous national standards of education, experience, and professional conduct. Pursuing this certification demonstrates a commitment to professional excellence and high ethical standards beyond the minimum requirements for state practice.
What Is the National Certified Counselor Credential?
The National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential is a national certification identifying professional counselors who have met specific, uniform standards for the general practice of counseling. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is the independent, non-profit organization that develops and issues this certification. Holding the NCC demonstrates a voluntary commitment to professional accountability and competence.
The NBCC certification is not a license to practice, but rather a professional designation recognized across the country. It serves as a benchmark for counselors who seek to show colleagues and the public they adhere to nationally recognized levels of professional preparation.
Steps Required to Earn the NCC
Achieving the NCC credential requires meeting specific, standardized requirements in three main areas: education, experience, and examination. Candidates must possess a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree in counseling from an institutionally accredited program. This degree program must include a minimum of 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework covering eight fundamental content areas of counseling practice.
The NBCC requires candidates to document sufficient postgraduate counseling work experience and supervision. This requirement is modified for graduates of Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited programs. For those who must meet the postgraduate requirement, it includes at least 3,000 hours of professional counseling work experience over a minimum of 24 months, accompanied by a minimum of 100 hours of postgraduate supervised counseling experience.
The final step involves passing a standardized national examination developed and administered by the NBCC. Candidates must achieve a passing score on either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Passing one of these comprehensive examinations verifies the counselor’s theoretical knowledge and applied skills.
Significance of the NCC for Counselors and Clients
Holding the NCC credential offers counselors a recognized national distinction that transcends state-specific licensing titles. This certification provides increased professional portability, allowing counselors who relocate to more easily meet the academic and examination requirements for licensure in a new state. The national recognition of the NCC can simplify the application process for state licenses that accept the NBCC’s standards.
For clients, the NCC credential provides an independent assurance of a counselor’s professional qualifications and commitment to high standards of care. NCC-certified counselors must adhere to the NBCC’s strict Code of Ethics, a comprehensive set of guidelines for professional conduct and ethical decision-making. This adherence means clients are working with a professional who is voluntarily accountable to a national body for their ethical practice.
The certification also shows potential employers that the counselor has met national benchmarks, enhancing career opportunities and providing a competitive advantage. NCCs gain access to specific professional resources, such as liability insurance programs and specialty certifications, that support their ongoing development.
National Certification Versus State Licensure
The primary distinction in the counseling field is the difference between national certification and state licensure. State licensure, such as becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), is a legal requirement granting the authority to practice independently within a specific state. State licensing boards exist primarily to protect the public by ensuring that only qualified individuals provide counseling services.
National certification, represented by the NCC, is a voluntary professional credential validating a counselor’s competence against national standards. It is awarded by the NBCC and is not a substitute for the state-issued license. A counselor must hold the appropriate state license to legally offer independent counseling services and engage in private practice, regardless of their NCC status.
State boards determine the specific requirements for practice, which vary significantly regarding supervised hours, coursework, and accepted examinations. Many state boards utilize the NBCC examinations (NCE or NCMHCE) as the primary test for their state licensure process. This overlap can streamline the path to licensure for an NCC holder, as they have already met the national examination standard.
The NBCC regulates the certification, focusing on professional accountability and competence maintenance. State boards regulate the license, which grants the legal permission to practice. A counselor must first comply with all state regulations to practice legally, and then they may choose to pursue the NCC as a national mark of professional distinction.
How to Maintain the NCC Credential
Once the NCC credential is earned, counselors must adhere to a process of recertification to maintain their designation. The maintenance cycle is set at five years, ensuring that certificants remain current with changes and advancements within the counseling profession.
To successfully recertify, an NCC must document the completion of 100 continuing education (CE) clock hours during each five-year cycle. These CE hours must be derived from qualified professional activities that enhance a counselor’s knowledge and skills. NCCs must also continue to abide by the NBCC’s Code of Ethics throughout the maintenance period to keep their credential active.