The National Counselor Examination is a requirement for counselor licensure in many states and for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification. The NCE is also used by the military health systems. Wheaton provides the unique opportunity for students to take this exam prior to graduation.
About the National Counselor Exam
Pursuing a career in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) often requires a state counseling license. To obtain this license, most states require individuals to meet certain qualifications such as holding a master’s degree, completing a specified number of supervised clinical training hours, and passing an examination for licensure. Many states (including Illinois) utilize the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) for their licensing exam.
NCE for Current Students
Wheaton College administers the NCE and is available to students as part of the CMHC curriculum. The NCE will assess students on their knowledge, skills, and abilities as they pertain to the counseling profession. The NCE® is used by the state of Illinois and many states as the state licensure exam. Satisfactory scores on the National Counselor Examination is required if students wish to become a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Students who are planning for the NCE should have at least 6 courses in the 8 NBCC (National Board of Certified Counselors) required content areas completed prior to taking the exam and be enrolled in the last two during their final semester of the program. Students planning to graduate during the spring or summer terms may take the exam during the last spring term of the program.
NCE Passing Rate for Wheaton College
| Year | Wheaton College Pass Rate for CMHC Students | Mean NCE Score for Wheaton College CMHC Students | Nationwide Mean NCE Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 100% | 129 | 106 |
| 2017 | 88% | 119 | 111 |
| 2018 | 100% | 125 | 113 |
| 2019 | 100% | 118 | 105 |
| 2020 | 100% | not available | not available |
| 2021 | 100% | 118 | 110 |
| 2022 | 96% | 118 | 108 |
| 2023 | 84% | 122.5 | 115.7 |
NCE Exam Details
Eligible students will receive an email from the NBCC indicating their eligibility. Students who are interested in taking the NCE in April must register by the preceding January. Please register following the link that was provided to you by the NBCC. Exam fees are $335.
You must use your Wheaton College email address. NBCC will contact you via email with further instructions and a website link to their online application.
