NCE Exam Changes
1/1/2020
Dr. Linton Hutchinson
A new version of the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) is coming out on March 2020. Here's what you need to know about the exam changes:
What's Staying the Same?
All 8 CACREP content areas are still being assessed.
With both the “Through February 2020” exam and the “March 2020” exam, you’re being assessed on your foundational knowledge of counseling theories, human development, multicultural issues, conducting counseling (performing a client intake, formulating a diagnosis, developing a treatment plan, applying techniques, etc.), using various assessment tools, engaging in group work, conducting career counseling, having a basic understanding of statistical concepts and research, and adhering to ethical standards.
What's Changing?
The work behaviors have been modified slightly on the March 2020 exam.
With the March 2020 exam, we see more on specific client issues (ex. adoption, sleeping issues, discrimination, blended family issues, religious/spiritual concerns, remarriage, developmental issues, bullying, caregiving concerns, financial issues, grief/loss, gender issues, etc.).
There also appears to be a greater emphasis on an effective counselor’s skills, traits, behaviors, and personality (ex. awareness of self, empathic responding, etc.).
What Exactly Are CACREP Areas and Work Behavior Areas?
The CACREP areas represent the academic knowledge one must have in order to pass the exam. The work behaviors represent current professional practice (based on the NBCC’s job analysis). The study menu on nationalcounselingexam.com will continue to be organized by CACREP areas as it’s imperative that you have an understanding of counseling concepts so that you can decide how to put those into practice using your critical thinking abilities.
How Does Scoring Work?
On the NCE, each question is “tagged" as a CACREP area as well as a specific work behavior.
You’ll get one score at the end (only 160 of the 200 questions are scored) but your score will be broken down by both CACREP Areas and Work Behavior Areas.
Outline of Exam Through February 2020
Exam is Based on 8 CACREP Areas
1. Human Growth & Development
2. Social & Cultural Diversity
3. Counseling & Helping Relationships
4. Group Work
5. Career Development
6. Assessment & Testing
7. Research & Program Evaluation
8. Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice
and…
5 Work Behavior Areas:
1. Fundamental Counseling Issues – understanding theory & practice of counseling for various disorders
2. Counseling Process – determining best course of action for clients (diagnostic interviews, school/community outreach, distance counseling)
3. Diagnostic & Assessment Services – assessing educational preparation, potential for self harm or harm to others, biopsychosocial interviews, initial assessments, custody evaluations
4. Professional Practice – advocating for client needs and counseling profession, career counseling interventions, counseling models, multicultural counseling
5. Professional Development, Supervision, & Consultation – communicating with professional boards, consulting with legal system, peers, physicians, and credentialing boards
Outline of Exam Starting March 2020
Exam is Still Based on 8 CACREP Areas
1. Human Growth & Development
2. Social & Cultural Diversity
3. Counseling & Helping Relationships
4. Group Work
5. Career Development
6. Assessment & Testing
7. Research & Program Evaluation
8. Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice
and…
6 Work Behavior Areas:
1. Professional Practice & Ethics – maintaining proper admin & clinical protocols
2. Intake, Assessment, & Diagnosis – client intake, assessment, & diagnosis
3. Areas of Clinical Focus – client concerns
4. Treatment Planning – developing effective course of treatment
5. Counseling Skills & Interventions – conducting effective counseling
6. Core Counseling Attributes – behaviors, traits, & dispositions of effective counselors