How Do I Register for the NCE Exam? (2025 Guide)

You’ve decided to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) — a huge step toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Now comes the practical part: how do you actually register for it?

The registration process may look complicated at first, but once you understand the steps, it’s straightforward. This guide will walk you through every part of the process, from eligibility to scheduling your test date.

👉 Check out our NCE Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with exam-style questions covering all CACREP domains, plus advanced counseling theories, ethics, and case applications.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Before you can register, you must first qualify to sit for the exam. The NCE is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and eligibility depends on your pathway — either through your graduate counseling program or your state licensing board.

There are two main routes:

Pathway

Who It’s For

How to Apply

Campus-Based (NBCC-Approved Program)

Students enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling program

Apply through your university’s NCE campus coordinator

State Licensure Pathway

Graduates applying for LPC licensure

Apply through your state licensing board, which forwards approval to NBCC

Your path determines who grants permission to sit for the exam, but the exam itself is the same.

Step 2: Apply Through NBCC

Once you’re deemed eligible, you’ll complete your official application via the NBCC portal.

Go to:

👉 www.nbcc.org/exams/nce

There, you’ll:

  1. Create an NBCC account or log in to your existing one.
  2. Fill out the NCE application form.
  3. Upload any required documentation (degree verification, transcripts, or board approval).
  4. Pay your exam fee (typically $275–$375, depending on the route).

Once approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE, the testing administrator.

Step 3: Schedule Your Exam

After receiving your ATT, it’s time to pick your testing date and location.

You can:

  • Schedule online through the Pearson VUE website, or
  • Call Pearson VUE directly to schedule by phone

Testing Details

Information

Testing Centers

Pearson VUE sites nationwide

Format

Computer-based

Availability

Year-round testing (subject to location capacity)

Test Length

3 hours and 45 minutes

Identification Required

Two valid forms of ID (one government-issued with photo and signature)

You’ll receive a confirmation email with your date, time, and testing site details.

Step 4: Prepare for Test Day

Here’s what you can expect once your date is confirmed:

  • Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.
  • Bring your two forms of ID (driver’s license, passport, or government-issued ID).
  • Lockers will be provided for personal items (no phones, watches, or study materials allowed).
  • Pearson VUE provides scratch paper and a pencil.

You’ll have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete all 200 questions, and your score will appear on the screen immediately after submitting.

Step 5: If You Need to Reschedule

Life happens — and Pearson VUE allows you to reschedule your NCE if needed, as long as:

  • You cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance, and
  • Your authorization window (usually 6 months) has not expired.

Failing to show up without rescheduling counts as a missed exam, requiring you to repay the full fee.

Step 6: Retaking the Exam

If you don’t pass the first time, don’t worry. You can retake the NCE after 90 days, up to three times within a 12-month period.
 You’ll reapply through the same process, pay the fee again, and receive a new ATT email once approved.

Important Deadlines & Tips

  • Apply early. It can take 2–4 weeks for NBCC or your state board to process your application.
  • Check email spam/junk folders for your ATT email.
  • Verify your testing site’s availability — slots can fill up fast during graduation or licensure seasons.

Special Accommodations

NBCC and Pearson VUE comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
 If you require special accommodations, submit documentation with your initial application. Approved candidates receive custom scheduling instructions.

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Applying before confirming eligibility with your state board.
  2. Entering your legal name incorrectly (must match your ID).
  3. Waiting too long to schedule after receiving your ATT.
  4. Forgetting to bring two valid IDs on test day.

Study Tip

Schedule your exam at least six weeks in advance — this gives you a concrete date to plan your study schedule around, which increases accountability and motivation.

👉 Check out our NCE Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with exam-style questions covering all CACREP domains, plus advanced counseling theories, ethics, and case applications.

Final Thought:

Registering for the NCE may seem daunting, but it’s a clear, step-by-step process once you know your pathway. Confirm your eligibility, apply through NBCC or your state board, schedule with Pearson VUE, and give yourself time to prepare. Before you know it, you’ll be walking into that testing center ready to take the next step toward your counseling career.

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