Exam Comparison
NCE vs NCMHCE
Comparing the National Counselor Examination and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination. Both fall under Behavioral Health. Both are covered by the Behavioral Health Exam Prep app.
The Bottom Line
Which exam you take is usually decided by your state licensing board, not by you. The NCE tests breadth of counseling knowledge in multiple-choice format; the NCMHCE tests clinical judgment through case simulations. Check your board first, some states require one, some the other, a few accept either.
NCE vs NCMHCE: At a Glance
| Detail | NCE | NCMHCE |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | National Counselor Examination | National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination |
| Governing Body | NBCC | NBCC |
| Number of Questions | 200 | 80 |
| Time Limit | 4 hours | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Passing Score | Scaled (varies by state, typically 97-102) | Scaled (set by NBCC exam committee) |
| Exam Fee | $295 USD | $295 USD |
| Category | Behavioral Health | Behavioral Health |
| C3RT App | Behavioral Health Exam Prep | Behavioral Health Exam Prep |
Content Areas Compared
NCE Domains
- Professional Practice and Ethics
- Intake, Assessment, and Diagnosis
- Areas of Clinical Focus
- Treatment Planning
- Counseling Skills and Interventions
- Core Counseling Attributes
NCMHCE Domains
- Assessment and Diagnosis
- Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Administration, Consultation and Supervision
- Core Counseling Attributes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NCE and NCMHCE?
Both are NBCC exams, but they measure different things. The NCE (National Counselor Examination) is a knowledge exam, multiple-choice questions across the counseling curriculum: theories, ethics, assessment, group work, career development. The NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination) is built around clinical case simulations that unfold in stages, testing diagnosis, treatment planning, and decision-making. The NCE also earns the NCC certification; the NCMHCE is tied to clinical licensure tracks and the CCMHC specialty credential.
Can I take both the NCE and the NCMHCE?
Yes, and in two-tier states it is common: NCE for the initial license, NCMHCE for the independent clinical tier. Holding both also matters if you may relocate, portability is smoother when you have already passed whichever exam the new state requires.
Which should I take first, NCE or NCMHCE?
Your state board decides. Many states require the NCE for initial LPC/LAC licensure; several (and the clinical tier in two-tier states) require the NCMHCE. If your state genuinely accepts either, most candidates find the NCE more predictable to prepare for, simulations punish weak clinical reasoning in ways multiple choice does not. Some counselors take the NCE during or right after their master’s and the NCMHCE later for a clinical-tier license.
Does C3RT cover both the NCE and the NCMHCE?
Yes. Both the NCE and NCMHCE are covered in the Behavioral Health Exam Prep app for iOS and Mac.
The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is administered by NBCC. The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is administered by NBCC. C3RT is not affiliated with either organisation. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.