When Can I Retake the NCE If I Fail? (2025 Guide)

Failing the National Counselor Examination (NCE) can feel discouraging — but it’s important to know this: you’re far from alone. Many successful licensed counselors didn’t pass the NCE on their first attempt. What matters most is how you respond, review, and reapply.

If you don’t pass the exam the first time, you can absolutely take it again — and the process to retest is clear and manageable once you understand it. This guide covers how retakes work, how soon you can try again, and what to do differently next time.

👉 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.

What Happens If You Don’t Pass the NCE

Once you complete your exam, you’ll receive an immediate preliminary pass/fail result on the screen at your Pearson VUE testing center.
Your official results are then sent by email from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) within a few weeks.

If the report shows a “Fail” result, it will include a domain-by-domain performance breakdown showing how you performed in each of the eight core counseling areas (e.g., Human Growth, Ethics, Assessment).

This breakdown is your roadmap to success — it highlights exactly where you need to focus before your next attempt.

Retake Eligibility and Waiting Period

The NBCC allows candidates to retake the NCE after 90 days (three months) from their previous test date.

You can attempt the exam up to:

• Three times within a 12-month period, and
  
• As long as your eligibility approval window remains open.
  

If you need additional attempts after that, you may need to submit a new application through your state licensing board or university program, depending on how you first applied.

Retake Process Step-by-Step

Here’s how to reapply and schedule your retake once you’re ready:

1. Wait the Required 90 Days

Mark your calendar for at least 90 days after your initial test date. Use this time to study, rest, and rebuild confidence.

2. Contact NBCC or Your State Board

Check whether your authorization to test (ATT) is still valid.

• If it is still active, NBCC will guide you on rescheduling through Pearson VUE.
  
• If it has expired, you’ll reapply through your state board or NBCC account, depending on your application route.
  

3. Reapply and Pay the Exam Fee

The NCE retake fee is the same as the standard fee — usually $275 to $375, depending on your path.

4. Schedule Your Exam with Pearson VUE

Once approved, you’ll receive a new ATT email allowing you to schedule your next exam date at any Pearson VUE testing center.

5. Study Smarter, Not Harder

Use your previous score report to prioritize the weakest domains. Focus your study plan on understanding why you missed certain questions, not just re-memorizing facts.

How Many Times Can You Retake the NCE?

You can retake the NCE up to three times per year, with at least 90 days between attempts.

If you still haven’t passed after three tries, you’ll need to wait until the following year and reapply for a new testing cycle.

There is no lifetime limit on attempts — you can take the NCE as many times as needed to pass.

How to Use Your Score Report Effectively

Your score report is one of your most valuable tools for improvement. It shows your performance across the eight CACREP domains, such as:

• Counseling and Helping Relationships
  
• Human Growth and Development
  
• Social and Cultural Diversity
  
• Assessment and Testing
  
• Ethics and Professional Practice
  

Focus your next round of study on the sections where you scored below average. Many test-prep platforms allow you to target specific content areas for practice.

Why People Fail the First Time (and How to Fix It)

Failing isn’t usually about not knowing the material — it’s often about exam strategy and time management.

Here are some common reasons and solutions:

Mindset Matters

Failing the NCE doesn’t define your ability to be an excellent counselor. Many successful professionals failed on their first attempt and later passed comfortably after refining their approach.

Instead of viewing it as a setback, treat it as feedback — a chance to reinforce your understanding and build confidence in your next attempt.

Study Strategy for a Retake

1. Analyze your previous exam report. Identify weak domains.
   
2. Create a focused 8-week study plan. Prioritize low-score areas.
   
3. Mix study techniques. Alternate reading with mock exams and flashcards.
   
4. Take full-length timed practice tests. Build stamina and pacing.
   
5. Join study groups or tutoring sessions. Peer discussions help clarify tricky theories or ethics.
   

Study Tip

Don’t rush your retake — use the 90-day waiting period wisely. Focus on consistent, small study sessions rather than cramming. Review one domain per week and practice ethical decision-making through case scenarios.

👉 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:

Failing the NCE once doesn’t mean you’re not qualified — it means you’re still preparing to reach your professional potential. You can retake the exam after 90 days, up to three times per year, and each attempt brings you closer to success. With a clearer understanding of your weak spots and a targeted study plan, your next “Fail” screen can easily become a well-earned “Pass.”