Skip to main content

Department

Counseling and Guidance

Testing

National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification

The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) is a 200-item multiple-choice examination designed to assess knowledge, skills and abilities determined to be important for providing effective counseling services. The NCE is a requirement for counselor licensure in many states. It is also one of two examination options for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification. It may also be accepted by military health systems to become a recognized provider.

The NCE was first used in 1983 as part of the NCC application process, and continues to undergo regular review and development to ensure it represents the current reality of practice and research in the counseling profession.

Study guides are available to help you prepare for the NCE.

Content and Development

The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification measures knowledge from the eight content areas of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the work behaviors determined by NBCC’s job analysis. Content is, therefore, based in both academic knowledge and current professional practice.

More information about the content and development of the NCE can be found in the NCE Handbook on NBCC website: https://www.nbcc.org/exams/nce.

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)

Over 400 college and university counseling programs across the country use CCE’s Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

Counseling programs benefit from the CPCE in various ways.

The CPCE:

  • Provides a master’s program comprehensive exam that meets high psychometric standards.
  • Gives programs an objective view of the knowledge level of their students.
  • Allows programs to examine student functioning in various curricular areas.
  • Promotes longitudinal self-study.
  • Compares a program’s results to national data.
  • Stimulates student integration of knowledge learned in separate courses.
  • Gives students comparative strength and weakness feedback.

How Is the CPCE Scored?

The CPCE is a 160-item multiple-choice examination, but only 136 items are used to determine if you meet the minimum passing (criterion) score. The other 24 items are undergoing field testing, to determine suitability for future use. (You will not know which items are being field-tested when you take the CPCE.)

The maximum possible score on the CPCE is 136, and NBCC determines the minimum passing score, which varies between versions, using a modified Angoff procedure. The CPCE is not scored on a “curve,” so your passing score is not influenced by other examinees’ results, but you can compare your score to national results.

What does the CPCE cover?

The CPCE covers the following content areas:

  • Human growth and development (EDCG 5339)
  • Social and cultural diversity (EDCG 5347)
  • Helping relationships (EDCG 5311 & EDCG 5312)
  • Group work (EDCG 5323)
  • Career development (EDCG 5355)
  • Assessment (EDCG 5324)
  • Research and program evaluation (EDCG 5329)
  • Professional orientation and ethical practice (EDCG 5310 & EDCG 5315)

The CPCE also includes the following work behaviors:

  • Fundamental counseling issues;
  • Counseling process;
  • Diagnostic and assessment services
  • Professional practice; and
  • Professional development, supervision and consultation.

**Passing the CPCE is graduation requirement, and may initially be attempted during EDCG 5357 Practicum. Students will have three chances to pass the exam before remediation. 

CPCE Study Materials

While CCE does not offer an official study guide for the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), we do provide a list of textbook resources frequently used in CACREP-accredited counselor preparation programs.

The list of resources can be found at CPCE Textbook Guide.

Recommended Resources for Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination CPCE:

Gregoire, J., & Jungers, C. M. (2007).  The counselor’s companion: What every beginning counselor

needs to know. (1st ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0805856842 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805856846/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=3486451804&hvqmt=p&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_487xa9u87s_p

Rosenthal, H. G. (2008). Encyclopedia of counseling: Master review and tutorial for the national

counselor examination and state exams. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0415958622  https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Counseling-Examination-Preparation-Comprehensive/dp/0415958628/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463678319&sr=1-1&keywords=Encyclopedia+of+Counseling%3A+Master+Review+and+Tutorial+for+the+National

Helwig, A. A. (2015). Study guide for the NCE and CPCE. (7th ed.). Broomsfield, CO:

Author. ISBN: 978-0964837775  https://www.amazon.com/Study-Guide-National-Counselor-Examination/dp/0964837773/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463678461&sr=1-1&keywords=Study+Guide+for+the+National+Counselor%E2%80%99s+Exam

Online Testing

The CPCE is administered in computer-based testing (CBT) format at the TAMUK Testing Center.

CPCE Brochure

https://www.cce-global.org/assessmentsandexaminations/cpce

Texas Jurisprudence Exam

The Texas Jurisprudence Exam can be found on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Licensed Professional Counselors home page:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/counselor/

Take the Jurisprudence Exam

Click here to pay the exam fee or return to your exam for the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Jurisprudence exam (link temporarily unavailable) (In the eCommerce system, this payment is referred to as a "purchase".)

To Get Started and Returning Users:

  1. Click on the Catalog tab.
  2. At the Catalog page, select the desired Category.
  3. Select the desired Examination under the Available Courses/Materials heading.
  4. Add your exam to your Cart to check out.
  5. Once you add the exam to your Cart, click the Check Out tab to complete the registration process.
  6. At the Check Out page, you can:
    1. log in as a RETURNING USER if you have already created your online learning account and are adding another course or...
    2. click the Create New User Account button and fill out the requested information to complete your registration. Use a valid email address for your login to receive your purchase receipt, login confirmation and instructions.
  7. Follow the link provided at the finish of your successful registration/check out. If you have provided a valid email address, you will be sent a confirmation email.
  8. You can return to the site at any time and follow the link in the yellow box to your course.

Please Note:

New Applicants: If you are a new applicant for licensure, print your certificate and submit it to the board office with your application. Retain a copy for your records.

For license renewal, print your certificate and maintain it in case you are selected for audit. If selected for audit, submit the certificate to the board office with your additional continuing education documents.

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Apply for a New License - Requirements

Refer to Subchapters E, F, and G of the board's rules for detailed information on licensure requirements.

Apply for a New License - Requirements

  • A master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited college or university.
  • A planned graduate program in counseling or a counseling-related field of at least 48 graduate semester hours.
  • A graduate degree and graduate coursework that was awarded or earned more than 10 years prior to the application date may not be used to fulfill the requirements for licensure unless the applicant has held a license issued by another state or has been counseling in Texas in an exempt setting for at least five years prior to the application date.
  • NOTE: Board rules specifically define "counseling -related field": §681.2. Definitions (9) Counseling-related field - A mental health discipline utilizing human development, psychotherapeutic, and mental health principles including, but not limited to, psychology, psychiatry, social work, marriage and family therapy, and guidance and counseling. Non-counseling fields include, but are not limited to dance therapy, sociology, education, administration, and theology.
  • Applicants must obtain academic course work in each of the following areas: normal human growth and development; abnormal human behavior; appraisal or assessment techniques; counseling theories; counseling methods or techniques (individual and group); research; lifestyle and career development; social, cultural and family issues; and professional orientation
  • As part of the graduate program, a supervised practicum experience that is primarily counseling in nature. The practicum should be at least 300 clock-hours with at least 100 clock-hours of direct client contact. Academic credit for the practicum must appear on the applicant's transcript.
  • After completion of the graduate degree and before application, an applicant must take and pass the National Counselor Exam and the Texas Jurisprudence Exam. After receiving a temporary LPC license from the board, the applicant may begin the supervised post-graduate counseling experience (internship). 3000 clock-hours with at least 1,500 being direct client contact of internship under the supervision of a board-approved supervisor is required. The 3000 clock-hours may not be completed in a time period of less than 18 month.
  • If reapplying for a temporary license, the applicant must submit any supervised experience gained during their previous temporary license and retake the NCE before applying.

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors - Applications and Forms

Obtain a copy of the following publications now - click on your selection.

When submitting in documentation to the board for application or upgrade you must submit the most current forms which can be found on our website at the “Applications and Forms “ tab.

Military Service Member, Veteran, or Military Spouse Supplemental Form

Course Evaluation/Licensure Information Sheet

LPC Supervision Master Checklist (Example)

Name Change and/or Duplicate License Form 

LPC Consumer Complaints Sign

Continuing Education Provider Application

Continuing Education Provider Renewal Form

Texas Registration Forms for the NCE Examination for Licensure and Certification

Supervision Log (Example)

#F75-13346 LPC Application Packet

Forms below are also found in the LPC Application Packet (available to download separately)

#F75-10757 Application for Licensure

#F75-10759 Renewal Form

#F75-10962 Practicum Form

#F75-10967 Supervisor Agreement Form

#F75-10963 Supervised Experience Documentation Form

#F75-10966 Supervisor Application  Form

Intern Supervisor/Site Change Request Form

#F75-13407 Verification of Licensure in Other Jurisdiction Form

LPC Act, Occupations Code Ch. 503

Select the link below to view or print the Licensed Mental Health Professionals in Texas-A Fact Sheet for Consumers brochure.

To access documents in Adobe Acrobat format, you must download the Acrobat Reader software. Please see the DSHS file viewing page for more information and a link to the Adobe website.

TExES

About the Tests

The TExES tests are criterion-referenced examinations designed to measure a candidate's knowledge in relation to an established criterion rather than to the performance of other candidates. All of the tests in the TExES program contain multiple-choice/selected-response questions. Some tests also have additional types of constructed-response questions (e.g., open-ended written or oral responses). For more information about individual tests and test composition, see the preparation manual for each test.

TExES School Counselor (152) Preparation Manual can be found here:

https://www.angelo.edu/content/files/17547-counselorpdf

At this time, the TExES School Counselor (152) refers to the DSM-IV-TR, not the DSM-5.

https://www.tdcaa.com/journal/significant-changes-from-the-dsm-iv-to-the-dsm-5/

All TExES tests, with the exception of the Braille paper-based (PBT) test, are administered via computer (CAT) at specially equipped test centers. Some CAT tests are offered on a continuous basis while others are offered only during limited-administration windows.

Educator Certification Test Retake Policy Change
Candidates are limited to five attempts to take a certification test. The five attempts include the first attempt to pass the examination and four retakes. Each testing session counts as another attempt for the 291 or 211 Core Subjects test, whether the overall test or an individual subject area test is attempted. The five attempts include any of the test approval methods (PACT, EPP, out of state, charter, and CBE). All attempts taken before September 1, 2015 count as one attempt. If a candidate chooses to register again for the same test after completion of the fifth testing attempt, scores will not be counted towards certification and candidates will assume responsibility for test fees paid. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) implemented this change to Texas Education Code §21.048 in response to HB 2205, 84th Texas Legislature, 2015.

Payment Processing
Test fee payment processing is now provided by Texas.gov, the official website of Texas.  The price of this service, which is not refundable, includes funds that support the ongoing operations and enhancements of Texas.gov, which is provided by a third party in partnership with the State. Candidates may now be required to process two individual payments to complete an order transaction. This will be determined by the services being requested in the final order. Failure to complete both payments will result in cancellation of the order.

Test and Service Refunds
All past and future processed test and service orders are now refundable up to 180 days from completion of initial order payment. The 180-day refund policy begins with the date the initial payment transaction was processed. If a test or service order is changed (e.g., change of test date), the 180-day refund policy applies to the date the registration was initially processed. Test takers canceling an order prior to 180 days from the initial transaction will be refunded according to the “Canceling a Test Registration” policy.

Tests Moving to Continuous Testing
Three TExES tests are now offered as continuous CAT tests: American Sign Language (ASL) (184), Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities for Trade and Industrial Education 6–12 (270) and Visually Impaired (182).

Test Fees
$131* Test fee (per test)
$131* Test fee (per test) for Core Subjects EC–6 (291) and Core Subjects 4–8 (211)
$65*   Test fee (per subject test) for test codes 801–809 (NOTE: You must take the overall Core Subjects test first; if you do not pass a subject test you can then take just that test; however, taking an individual subtest counts in the 5-attempt limit. Passing one of the subject tests within the overall Core Subjects tests does not qualify you to be certified.)
$55 International site fee

* Test fee payment processing is provided by Texas.gov, the official website of Texas. The price of this service, which is not refundable, includes funds that support the ongoing operations and enhancements of Texas.gov, which is provided by a third party in partnership with the State. You may be required to process two individual payments to complete an order transaction. This is determined by the services being requested in the final order. Failure to complete both payments will result in cancellation of your order.

Candidates are limited to five attempts to take a certification test. The five attempts include the first attempt to pass the examination and four retakes, and any of the test approval methods (PACT, EPP, out of state, charter, and CBE). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) implemented this change to Texas Education Code §21.048 in response to HB 2205, 84th Texas Legislature, 2015.

There are several steps you need to consider before you register, while you prepare, and on the day you take a TExES test. Use the information in the chart below to help organize your testing strategy and gather all the information you need to register, prepare and take a TExES test.

NOTE: The information below is for planning purposes only. It is important that you read and understand the Registration Bulletin, including the Rules of Test Participation, for more detailed information about what you need to do before you take a TExES test.

Task Refer to

Identify the certification you wish to earn.

Consult with your preparation program, district human resources department, principal, prospective employer, or the Teacher Assignment Chart available here.

Identify which test(s) you need to take for certification.

Approval to Test
TExES Tests Offered (PDF)

Determine if you are eligible to take a TExES test and gain approval to test.

Approval to Test

Review the Registration Bulletin.

Registration

Choose a test center and date to take your test.

Test Centers and Dates

Ensure you have read the important ID requirements and have valid forms of ID before creating your TEA account.

Identification (ID) Requirements

Create your TEA account on the TEA website using your legal name, which must match the documents you will present at the test center.

Creating Your TEA Account
Correcting or Updating Your TEA  Educator Profile

Create your TExES testing account.

Creating Your Testing Account

Register for the test(s) you plan to take.

How to Register

Review test preparation materials.

Free Test Preparation Material

Review the guidelines of what to bring with you on test day.

What to Bring to the Test Center


It is important to also review information on Change Requests, Canceling a Test Registration, as well as the Test Retake Policy.

Test Centers

Test centers are listed according to the general area in which they are located and may not be within the actual city limits. The paper-based (PBT) test center list includes the test center code, address, website and driving directions. If you are taking a test that is administered by computer, see the test center list for computer-administered (CAT) tests.

Due to factors beyond the control of TEA and ETS, the test center locations cannot be guaranteed. Test centers are selected based on availability and appropriateness of the facilities for the specific test administration. Test center locations are subject to change in the event of scheduling conflicts. If it becomes necessary to change a test center location, every attempt will be made to seek a new test center located in the same general area as the one you initially selected.