How much does the NCE cost?

What you pay NBCC

The $275 figures come from NBCC’s state examination forms, which say fees can change. The Credentialing Gateway shows the amount you’ll actually pay. NBCC’s handbooks don’t print the fee.

How to pay

If you register online in the Credentialing Gateway, you pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. If you use a paper registration form, you send a money order or cashier’s check made out to NBCC. Paper registration can take about four weeks longer.

When you lose the fee

Exam fees aren’t refundable or transferable. You lose the whole fee if you:

• don’t test within your authorized window
• miss your appointment without rescheduling at least 24 hours ahead
• arrive more than 15 minutes late
• don’t bring the right ID
• break the test rules

State board and NCC fees are separate

Your state licensing board charges its own application and license fees. They vary by state, so check with your board.

If you take the exam as part of an application for NBCC’s National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential instead, the fees are set out in that application. NBCC’s NCC handbook says that if you defer less than 30 days before your exam cycle or don’t test on your date, you pay a $150 reregistration fee.