Certification Types

• The NBCC's best-known certification is the National Certified Counselor. Counselors eligible for this certification must have a master's degree or higher in counseling. In addition, they must have 48 graduate-level credits with at least two credits in eight content areas, including human growth and development, career and lifestyle development and appraisal. Once counselors earn this designation, they can also earn three types of specialized certification offered by the NBCC: Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, National Certified School Counselor and Master Addictions Counselor.
  
  

National Counselor Examination

• Counselors who meet the eligibility requirements to become a National Certified Counselor then take the National Counselor Examination to earn certification. This exam assesses the individual's counseling skills. It consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete. The NBCC offers the exam twice annually in locations across the country. In 2010, the test was available in April and October in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
  
  

State Licensure

• The NBCC's National Counselor Examination can also help counselors earn their license to practice in their state. While national certification demonstrates that the counselor has met national standards, the state license actually gives the counselor permission to practice. The titles that counselors earn by completing the NBCC exam vary by state, though the Licensed Professional Counselor designation is common. Thus, completing the National Counselor Examination can serve a dual purpose for some counselors, as they can earn national certification as well as their state license.
  
  

Certification Renewal

• National Certified Counselors have to renew their certification every five years. They have two ways of doing this. The most common path is through continuing education. NCCs have to complete 100 continuing-education hours during the five-year period of their certification. Counselor who hold a specialized certification must complete 100 continuing-education hours in the specialty area as well. Alternatively, counselors can renew their certification by retaking the exam.