Graduate school is over and you have a lot on your mind! Where to start first and where to go next. Well, that is usually an individual decision because there are a lot of direction you can take and a lot of us will end up taking completely different routes. However, if you are interested in getting your licensure then, you have probably already started to think about the licensure exam. Most of us would like to tackle the exam as soon as possible and others may decide to wait and take it at a later point. Either way, when it’s time to sit down and register for the exam, you probably have forgotten where exactly you have to go and which exam you need to take. Here is a little refresher for those of us that need it.
Which exam do I need to take for Florida State Licensure?
• NCMHCE – The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination is required by the Florida board in order to apply for and receive LMHC licensure. It is administered by the NBCC – National Board of Certified Counselors
• The NCMHCE is also used for national certification as a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)
How do I register to sit for and take the NCMHCE?
• Registered Interns must request prior approval to take the NCMHCE. For information on how to request exam approval visit the Florida Board
How much does the exam cost?
• The exam is $195
Will the exam include the DSM 5?
• Yes, the NCMHCE started to include the DSM 5 in April 2014
What is included on the NCMHCE?
• The exam consists of 10 simulated clinical mental health counseling cases.
• The exam is not based on isolated facts but rather to test our clinical skills that include our problem-solving abilities, analyzing, diagnosing and treating of clinical issues.
• Each case will be divided into sections and classified as either information gathering or decision making.
• For more information on what is included on the NCMHCE click here and you will be redirected to the NBCC’s website regarding exam topics
Where do I find study guides?
• There are several places to find study guides as well as, reviews as to how they helped others in passing the exams. However, a good place to start would be the NBCC’s website. They supply a good list of study guides that others have found useful. Here is the link
The other exam, which most of us have heard about, is the NCE. The NCE is the National Counselor Exam. This exam may be of interest to you if you are seeking licensure in another state or seeking the National Counselor Certification (NCC). You can also find information about this exam on the NBCC’s website.
Jessica Richards is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern for the State of Florida. As a graduate of NOVA Southeastern University, she holds a master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. She currently contracts with local community agencies to obtain hours for full LMHC licensure, while working on establishing her private practice, Peace of Mind Counseling. Both located in Orlando, Florida.
