To get licensed in Massachusetts, Professional Counselors are required to take an exam covering such subjects as assessment and diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy, and administration, supervision and consultation. Whether you live in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, or another city or county, the resources below will help you get started on the path to receive your Professional Counselor’s license.Need of a License: A license is needed to work as a counselor in Massachusetts. Licenses are granted by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions.
To qualify to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts, the following must be met:
- Obtain a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school meeting credit limits.
- Meet supervised clinical experience requirements of 3,360 hours of postgraduate professional counseling, including at least 130 hours of supervision, in not less than one year. There must be one hour of supervision for every 16 hours of practice. 75 hours must be individual supervision; the remaining 55 hours can be in group supervision.
- An applicant must earn a passing score on the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE)
An application for licensure and other documentation can be obtained online. All documents must be sent to:
Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals
Division of Professional Licensure
1000 Washington Street, Suite 710Boston, MA 02118
1-617-727-3080
1-617-727-2197 (fax)
Test content of the NCMHCE
The NCMHCE consists of ten hypothetical clinical mental health counseling cases. The cases are clinical simulations that use a multiple select/correct format where there are multiple options as possible correct answers. The questions are centered on the ten cases and explore the nuances of the particular case. The NCMHCE assesses an applicant’s ability to engage in clinical problem solving, including the identification, analysis, diagnosis and treatment of clinical issues.
Each of the ten cases is divided into five to eight sections and classified either as information gathering or decision making activities. The sections on Information gathering evaluate a candidate’s ability to gather clinical data that is needed in the decision making process. The sections on decision making evaluate a candidate’s ability to solve clinical problems using data.
The ten cases cover three content areas:
Assessment and Diagnosis
- Integration of client assessment and observational date
- Identification of precipitating problems/symptoms
- Identification of level of individual or relationship functioning
- Identification of pertinent familial issues
- Imparting information to the client about ethical standards and practice
- Clarification of roles of the counselor and client
- Apply individual counseling in accordance with the treatment plan
- Evaluation of referral information
- Maintenance of client records
- Determine if counseling services being delivered are meeting client needs
- Communicate orally with others to maintain professional communication
- Assistance clients to connect with needed social services
How to Apply to Take the Exam
You can find the registration information and the NCMHCE application online, or write:
The National Board of Certified Counselors
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, North Carolina 27403-3660
(336) 547-0607
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
To renew a license, regulations require 30 clock hours of continuing education in acceptable courses and programs offered by approved Continuing Education providers. The hours must be completed every two year licensure renewal period.
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For more information on licensing and exam prep, go to Tests.com's NCE Guide.And take Tests.com's free NCE Practice Test.
For counseling exam preparation products and services, such as study guides, practice tests, flashcards and courses, go to Tests.com's NCE listings.
