FAQs
What are the criteria necessary to become a certified school counselor?
In New Jersey, a Master degree or higher from a New Jersey accredited program (see School Counseling certification).
In other states - Because the program also meets national standards, graduates are qualified for certification in states across the country, including Pennsylvania and New York.
To be a school counselor, must I be a National Certified Counselor?
No.
Why is it important to become certified and/or licensed?
Credentialing promotes professional accountability and visibility for members of the profession. It identifies to the public and to others in related helping professions those counselors who have met specific professional standards and who adhere to a professional code of ethics.
What is a National Certified School Counselor?
One who is currently a National Certified Counselor has a minimum of 2 academic years of full-time school counseling experience, has the appropriate graduate coursework (appraisal, group counseling, cultural diversity, career development, counseling in schools, and a school field experience), and has passed the National Certified Counselors examination.
What is a National Certified Counselor?
A National Certifed Counselor (NCC) is a person who has met the national requirements of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), the independent non-profit corporation created by the ACA to monitor the national certification process. These requirements are:
- At least a Master degree in counseling
- A minimum of 48 graduate semester hours which includes 7 of the following areas: The Helping Relationship, Human Growth & Development, Lifestyle and Career Development, Group Dynamics, Processing, & Counseling, Appraisal of Individuals, Social & Cultural Foundations, Research & Evaluation, The Counseling Process.
- Two years of supervised full-time counseling experience beyond the Master degree
- Passing the National Certified Counselor Examination (NCE). Rider University is a center for this examination.
NBCC also grants specialty certification in several areas. These include National Certified Career Counselor (NCCC), Clinical Mental Heath Counselor (NCMHCE), Master Addictions Counselor (EMAC), and Clinical Counselor Practice (ECCP).
What is a Licensed Professional Counselor?
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is the title given to professional counselors who have met state licensure requirements. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) will have met the following requirements:
- 60 graduate semester hours which includes a Master or doctorate in counseling. The coursework must be distributed in 8 of the 9 areas listed under NCC requirements above.
- 3 years of supervised full-time counseling experience acceptable to the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee. Each year must consist of 1500 hours covering 50 weeks. One year may be eliminated by 30 graduate semester hours beyond the Master degree.
- Pass the National Certified Counselor Examination.
To be a school counselor must I be a Licensed Professional Counselor?
No. However, more school districts desire school counselors who are licensed.
What is the difference between certification and licensure for Community Counselors?
Certification is a national credential which identifies graduate-level, trained professional counselors who have met the standards and procedures developed by the American Counseling Assocation (ACA). Its purpose is to enhance the credibility of professional counselors as distinct from other helping professionals.
Licensure refers to state legal requirements, which allow professional counselors to practice their profession within that state. Although similar, each state varies in its requirements.
Both certification and licensure are mechanisms to ensure that a minimum quality standard of practice and ethics exists to protect the public interest.
Where can I obtain additional information on National Certification?
You can write or call NBCC:
National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc
3 Terrace Way
Suite D
Greensboro, NC 27403
Telephone: 336-547-0607
Fax: 336-547-0017
