Wisconsin Counselor License Exam

To get licensed in Wisconsin, Professional Counselors are required to take an exam covering such subjects as assessment and diagnosis, counseling and psychotherapy and professional ethics. Whether you live in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay 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 Wisconsin. Licenses are granted by the Examining Board of Marriage and Family Therapists, Professional Counselors and Social Workers.

To qualify to become a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin, the following must be met:

Obtain a graduate degree in counseling from an accredited school meeting credit limits.
Meet supervised clinical experience requirements of 3,000 hours of post-graduate professional counseling, including at least 1000 hours of face to face client contact, supervision in not less than two years, or for doctoral holders, 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice. .
An applicant must earn a passing score on the NCE (National Counselor Exam)
or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam (CRCE).

How to Apply for Licensure

An application for licensure and other documentation can be obtained online. All documents must be sent to:

Examining Board of Professional Counselors

P.O. Box 8935
Madison, WI 53708

1-608-266-2112
1-608-261-7083 (fax)

Test Content of the NCE

The NCE measures the applicants’ knowledge of the following eight content areas:

The psychology of human growth and development
Socio-cultural diversity
Establishing helping relationships
Group dynamics and group therapy
Career goals and development
Assessment of psychopathology and treatment needs
Research methods and program evaluation
Professional orientation and ethical practice.

The applicant’s knowledge of the following five work areas are also measured by the NCE:

Fundamental issues in counseling
The process of counseling
Diagnostic and assessment services
Professional practice issues
Ongoing professional development and the need for clinical supervision and consultation.

The exam consists of 200 questions, 40 of which are not scored, but are included for purpose of research. The actual score is based on 160 questions. The number of questions the applicant must get correct to pass varies between test versions. Four hours are given to complete the exam.

For more information, see the NCE Candidate Handbook.

How to Apply to Take the Exam

Apply online to take the NCE.

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

Counseling and Psychotherapy

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

Administration, Consultation and Supervision

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

Each of the ten cases in the NCMHCE is scored a +/- 3 which is based upon appropriate client/patient care. A passing score is above the minimum required for both the information gathering and decision making sections.

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.

The state of Wisconsin will also accept a passing score on the CRC exam.

Test content of the CRC

The test content of the CRC exam is composed of questions measuring 10 knowledge domains of rehabilitation counseling, each of which is subdivided into subdomains.

Assessment, Appraisal, and Vocational Evaluation
Job Development, Job Placement, and Career/Lifestyle Development
Vocational Consultation and Services for Employers
Case Management, Professional Roles and Practices, and Utilizing Community Resources
Fundamental Counseling principles, Professional Orientation and ethics, counseling theories, Social and Cultural Issues, and Human Growth and Development
Principles of Group and Family Counseling
Principles of Mental Health Counseling
Medical/ Functional/Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
Management of Disability
Research, Program Evaluation, and Evidence-Based Practice

CRC Exam Structure

The CRC Exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. The applicant is allowed three hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam, within an eight day testing window. It is recommended that applicants reserve four hours for time to check in, review test instructions, and a tutorial to become familiar with using the computer test system.

CRC Exam Scoring

The CRC Exam is scored based on two components: the applicant’s knowledge of counseling, and rehabilitation and disability. Both parts must earn a passing score.

How to Apply to Take the Exam

You can find the registration information and the CRC application and other documents online, or write:

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification
1699 E. Woodfield Road
Suite 300
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Phone: 847-944-1325
Fax: 847-944-1346

License Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

To renew a license, regulations require 30 clock hours of continuing education in acceptable courses and programs, every two year renewal period. This must include four hours in professional ethics and boundaries.

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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.

Quality starts with who wrote the material.

Our practice exam writer

Diane Dean, LPC, RN-BC, MA,

is a licensed professional counselor and educator with over 20 years experience in healthcare. She has taught at many colleges and universities, including the University of Pittsburgh.

Stacy Fruhling, LCPC, LCADC, NCC, MAC,

is an adjunct professor in psychology and counseling at the Ann Arundel Community College and the Community College of Baltimore.

Lisa Slade, MS, LPC, NCC,

is an adjunct professor in psychology, counseling, sociology and human services at Caldwell University in the Graduate School of Psychology, at the University of Bridgeport and at the Housatonic Community College.

OUR PRACTICE EXAM COVERS THE ACTUAL NCE DOMAINS:

The NCE contains 200 multiple-choice, non-sectioned questions. There are different versions of the test. Test questions come from a pool of questions that have been extensively reviewed and researched for content accuracy and clarity.

Below are the eight domains tested by the NBCC on the NCE:

• Human Growth and Development

• Social and Cultural Diversity

• Helping Relationships

• Group Counseling

• Career Counseling

• Assessment and Testing

• Research and Program Evaluation

• Professional Orientation and Ethics

Five work behaviors are also tested:

• Fundamentals of Counseling

• Counseling Process