Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) Clinical Examination

Important Information

The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) is one of two exams required to be passed for LPCC licensure in California.

  • Prior to registering for the NCMHCE, your Application for Licensure must be approved by the Board and you must pass the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam.
  • The exam is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).
  • Your name on file with the Board must match the name on your current government issued photo ID. A middle name is not required and will not be used for entrance to the exam site. If the first, last, or suffix do not match, you will need to complete a Name Change request.

Resources

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations will be provided to qualifying candidates who have a disability, a medical condition, or when English is their second language (ESL). Accommodations will NOT be provided unless prior approval is obtained, and you are notified from NBCC or their exam vendor. Please schedule the exam with the instruction provided on your accommodation approval letter. Do not schedule your exam until you receive the notification of an approved accommodation.

To request ESL accommodations, you must submit the application and required documentation as indicated in the application below. Allow 90 days for processing.

All testing sites are physically accessible to individuals with disabilities. All other accommodations for disabilities or medical conditions require pre-approval by the Board.

To request other testing accommodations, approved exam candidates must submit the application and required documentation as indicated in the application below. Allow 90 days for processing. Accommodations will NOT be provided unless prior approval is obtained, and you are notified by NBCC or their exam vendor. Be sure to schedule the exam using the instructions provided on your accommodation approval letter.  

Register for INITIAL NCMHCE Clinical Exam

Once your Application for Licensure has been approved and you have passed the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam, you will be notified that you may register for the NCMHCE Clinical Exam. To register, visit the NBCC website:

IMPORTANT—Exam Testing Deadline:

If you miss the testing deadlines below, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

  • If you passed the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam AFTER your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the NCMHCE Clinical Exam within one year from the date you passed the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam to maintain approval of your licensing file.
  • If you passed the LPCC California Law and Ethics Exam BEFORE your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the NCMHCE Clinical Exam within one year from the date your Application for Licensure was approved to maintain approval of your licensing file.

NCMHCE Clinical RE-EXAM

You may retake the exam after the required 30 day waiting period has elapsed from your last exam attempt. To register, visit the NBCC website:

IMPORTANT—Re-Exam Testing Deadline:

You MUST retake the exam within one year of a failed attempt to maintain your licensure application eligibility. If you miss the deadline, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

Questions

For questions regarding the NCMHCE Clinical Exam, please contact NBCC.
For other exam related questions or issues, click here to Message the Board and choose Exam Questions.