Exam Comparison
MFT vs NCE
Comparing the Marriage and Family Therapist Exam (MFT) and the National Counselor Examination. Both fall under Behavioral Health. Both are covered by the Behavioral Health Exam Prep app.
The Bottom Line
This choice is really about which profession you trained for: the MFT National Exam licenses marriage and family therapists, the NCE licenses professional counselors. Your graduate degree (MFT program vs counseling program) almost always determines which exam you sit.
MFT vs NCE: At a Glance
| Detail | MFT | NCE |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Marriage and Family Therapist Exam (MFT) | National Counselor Examination |
| Governing Body | AMFTRB | NBCC |
| Number of Questions | 200 | 200 |
| Time Limit | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | Varies by state | Scaled (varies by state, typically 97-102) |
| Exam Fee | $275 USD | $295 USD |
| Category | Behavioral Health | Behavioral Health |
| C3RT App | Behavioral Health Exam Prep | Behavioral Health Exam Prep |
Content Areas Compared
MFT Domains
- The Practice of Systemic Therapy
- Assessing, Hypothesizing, and Diagnosing
- Designing and Conducting Treatment
- Evaluating Ongoing Process and Terminating Treatment
- Managing Crisis Situations
NCE Domains
- Professional Practice and Ethics
- Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
- Areas of Clinical Focus
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling Skills and Interventions
- Core Counseling Attributes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MFT and NCE?
The AMFTRB MFT National Exam is the licensure exam for marriage and family therapists and is built around systemic, relational clinical thinking, treating couples, families, and relational units. The NCE is the NBCC’s licensure exam for professional counselors, testing the broader counseling curriculum with a more individual-client orientation. Different boards, different license titles (LMFT vs LPC), different scope emphases, though day-to-day practice overlaps more than the exams suggest.
Can I take both the MFT and the NCE?
Possible where a candidate’s coursework satisfies both boards, and a small number of clinicians hold LMFT and LPC licenses to widen insurance panels and job options. It is genuinely useful in private practice but it means two applications, two exams, two sets of CEs, and two renewal fees, most people pick one lane.
Which should I take first, MFT or NCE?
Take the exam attached to your degree and intended license. A COAMFTE-accredited MFT degree points to the MFT National Exam; a CACREP counseling degree points to the NCE. If your degree qualifies you for both licenses in your state, choose by career identity: systemic couples-and-family work (LMFT) versus broader individual counseling settings (LPC).
Does C3RT cover both the MFT and the NCE?
Yes. Both the MFT and NCE are covered in the Behavioral Health Exam Prep app for iOS and Mac.
The Marriage and Family Therapist Exam (MFT) (MFT) is administered by AMFTRB. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is administered by NBCC. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.