Get Certified As a Counselor With Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) 2025
In order to get certified as a counselor, you need to take a Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) 2025. It is a national certification that is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors 2025. This certification is very important to you as it can lead to jobs in your field.
Free CPCE Practice Test Online
CPCE Exam
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) is a knowledge-based exam that tests a student’s knowledge of counseling and professional counseling skills. It is a requirement for graduate degree programs in the field of clinical mental health counseling. The results of CPCE have been used by hundreds of universities across the nation. Approximately 160 items are included on the test, which is divided into eight areas of focus.
This examination was developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Each year, students are given the chance to take the exam as part of their graduate coursework. A score report will be sent to the student as soon as they complete the exam.
CPCE is administered as a computer-based exam at a testing center. Students have four hours to complete the test. If they are not satisfied with their score, they can take the exam a second time, or they can reschedule their appointment within a 24-hour window.
The best way to prepare for the test is to get a clear understanding of the content areas of the test. You can do this by reading course materials and practicing test questions.
| What does CPCE stand for? | CPCE stands for Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam, a standardized assessment for graduate-level counseling students. |
| Who developed the CPCE? | The CPCE was developed by the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE), an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). |
| Is the CPCE nationally standardized? | Yes, the CPCE is a nationally standardized exam allowing counseling programs to benchmark student performance against national norms. |
| How does CPCE differ from NCE? | CPCE is an academic program exit exam for graduate students, while NCE (National Counselor Examination) is the licensure exam for practicing counselors. |
| How should students prepare for the CPCE? | Students should review all eight CACREP content areas, use practice exams, create study groups, and review class notes comprehensively. |
| Are there official CPCE practice exams? | Yes, CCE offers official practice exams that mirror the actual CPCE format and provide valuable preparation experience. |
| What study resources are best for CPCE? | Comprehensive study guides covering all eight CACREP areas, CPCE practice test books, and online flashcard systems are highly effective. |
| How many weeks of study are recommended for CPCE? | Most students prepare for 6-12 weeks with consistent study, reviewing approximately 20 questions per content area weekly. |
| How many questions are on the CPCE? | The CPCE contains 160 multiple-choice questions, with 20 questions dedicated to each of the eight CACREP core content areas. |
| What format are CPCE questions? | All CPCE questions are multiple-choice with four answer options, testing knowledge application rather than memorization. |
| Which CACREP areas are tested on CPCE? | The eight areas are: Human Growth & Development, Social/Cultural Diversity, Helping Relationships, Group Work, Career Development, Assessment, Research, and Professional Orientation. |
| Is the CPCE a timed exam? | Yes, students typically have 3-4 hours to complete all 160 questions, though specific time limits vary by institution. |
| What is a passing score on the CPCE? | Passing scores vary by institution; most programs require students to score at or above the 50th percentile nationally. |
| When do CPCE results become available? | CPCE results are typically available within 2-4 weeks and are sent directly to the counseling program coordinator. |
| How are CPCE scores reported? | Scores include raw scores for each content area, national percentile rankings, and an overall composite score with percentile. |
| Do CPCE scores affect NCE performance? | Strong CPCE performance often correlates with NCE success as both exams test similar counseling knowledge foundations. |
| What happens after passing the CPCE? | After passing CPCE, students complete graduation requirements, apply for state licensure, and prepare for the NCE or state-specific licensure exam. |
| Do all states require the CPCE for licensure? | No, CPCE is a program requirement, not a licensure requirement; states require NCE or state-specific exams for professional licensure. |
| What career paths exist for counseling graduates? | Graduates pursue careers as clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, career counselors, substance abuse counselors, and marriage/family therapists. |
| Is supervision required after graduation? | Yes, most states require 2,000-4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience post-graduation before full independent licensure. |
CPCE Army
If you are looking for a reputable way to test your mental acuity and you are an aspiring counselor, you may want to consider taking the National Counselor Exam or the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). The CPCE is a summative assessment of your knowledge and skills as a counselor. It is used to determine whether or not you have mastered the material and should be eligible for licensure.
In order to take the CPCE, you will need to complete registration and register to take the exam. You will also need to get a Candidate ID. Once you have obtained your Candidate ID, you will be able to register for the test through Pearson VUE. This is the most efficient and convenient method of obtaining your test score.
The CPCE is the brainchild of the Center for Credentialing and Education, which is an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors. For more information about the examination, visit the Center for Credentialing and Education. Also, check out the CPCE Textbook Guide for a list of book resources to help you prepare for the test.
CPCE Passing Score 2025
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) is a test for graduate counseling students that tests their understanding of counseling theories, methods, and techniques. It is required by hundreds of colleges and universities across the country, and may be required for licensure in certain states.
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam is a multiple-choice exam that is used to evaluate the knowledge of student’s skills in counseling. Students must achieve a passing score of at least 90 to pass the exam. If a student fails the exam, they must retake it, and they are allowed to take it two times.
The CPCE was developed by the Center for Credentialing and Education to assist counselors in credentialing. There are about 160 questions on the test. Each content area has 20 questions. For each area, there is a developmental/experimental question.
The exam is offered in the fall and spring semesters. Approximately four hours are allotted for the test. Upon completion, a CPCE score is available on the Pearson VUE account. Applicants must pay a $75 fee when registering for the exam.
CPCE Study Guide
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) is an exit examination for graduate counseling students. It is administered by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).
The CPCE is a standardized, objective assessment of student competency in the knowledge and skills needed to practice as a certified counselor. The test is used as the uniform standard of qualification for professional counselors. Most universities and colleges require students to take the CPCE before completing a graduate program.
There are two versions of the CPCE: a paper-and-pencil version and an online version. Each provides a simulated exam with test questions, flashcards and games. While the printed version offers more information than the digital edition, the online version can be accessed immediately.
There are eight core areas in the CPCE, including Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Common Core Areas. These areas align with chapter content and the NBCC work behavior domains.
The content in the CPCE and NCE Study Guide is similar to that found on many state school counselor certification exams. However, the number of questions in 2020 is different from prior years.
CPCE Certification
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) is a test that is required by hundreds of graduate programs throughout the United States. This exam is designed to ensure that students have a firm understanding of counseling. It is administered by the Center for Credentialing and Education.
Students must pass the exam in order to earn their degree. However, if you are a student who is dual-majoring, you may want to wait to take the CPCE until you know exactly when you plan to graduate.
The CPCE is a 160-question multiple-choice exam that assesses a student’s knowledge of counseling. The test is based on the eight content areas of the CACREP curriculum. Each area has 20 questions.
CPCE is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. If you are unable to visit the test center, you can take the exam at home. To do this, you will need to register. A CPCE score will be reported to your Pearson VUE account within one hour. You will also be emailed a score report.
For the best results, you should begin preparing for the examination early. That means contacting your advisor to get advice. Also, make sure you review course material thoroughly.
CPCE Exam Prep
The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) 2025 is a standardized test that assesses a student’s knowledge and competency in counseling. It’s used by hundreds of colleges and universities across the country to determine whether a student is ready for a national license. In order to take the exam, a student needs to be well-prepared.
A CPCE study guide can help you prepare for the test. This guide will provide you with proven tactics for managing test anxiety, as well as sample questions and explanations.
One of the key benefits of a CPCE study guide is that it is designed to bolster your chances of success on the first attempt. The guide features two full-length exams, end-of-chapter quizzes, and other tools to make sure you understand the basics of the material.
Another benefit of a CPCE study guide is the ability to schedule an exam at a testing site near you. Students can choose from three locations for the CPCE, including North Carolina Central University (NCCU), the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCCE), or a Pearson VUE testing center.
CPCE National Average Score 2025
The National Counselor Exam (NCE) is a 200 question multiple choice test. It is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, a not-for-profit organization.
There are several versions of the National Counselor Exam. The minimum passing score depends on the version. For example, the ACT averages a score of 26. A higher score on the NCE is likely to be around 75.
The best way to find out the national average score for the CPCE is to look at the scores from the various institutions. Nicholls State University’s overall score and the national average are shown in Table 2.
If you are looking to pass the CPCE, the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) provides three locations to take the test. You can also purchase an official study guide.
The test takes three hours and forty-five minutes, but there is a window of time to take it. In fact, you can schedule your CPCE on a Saturday, which means you can spend a little more time preparing.
Unlike the SAT, there is no specific passing score on the CPCE. Instead, the passing score is a combination of a number of different factors.
How Much Does The CPCE Cost
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) is a computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE. It is an objective, knowledge-based exam that asks 160 questions. The CPCE covers eight common core areas, such as helping relationships, group work, professional counseling orientation, career and lifestyle development, social and cultural foundations, program evaluation, and appraisal.
Taking the CPCE will prepare you for the National Counseling Examination. This is an assessment tool used by more than 400 colleges and universities to measure student mastery of the knowledge, skills, and principles of counseling.
After you have completed 30 to 39 credit hours of study, you will need to take the CPCE. You can choose to take the CPCE at one of the three sites that are approved by the Center for Credentialing and Education.
When you are ready to schedule your CPCE exam, you will need to register and create a candidate ID number. Once you have this number, you will need to select your test date and location. If you need assistance, you can contact the CPCE Program Coordinator.
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) Questions and Answers
The CPCE (Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam) is a national exam assessing master's-level counseling students' knowledge across eight CACREP core content areas.
Students typically take the CPCE during their final semester or year of their counseling master's program as a graduation requirement.
The CPCE takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete and consists of 160 multiple-choice questions covering all CACREP core areas.
The CPCE covers eight CACREP areas: human growth, social/cultural diversity, helping relationships, group work, career development, assessment, research, and professional orientation.
CPCE fees typically range from $75-150 depending on the institution, with some programs including the cost in tuition.
Graduate counseling students in CACREP-accredited programs are typically required to take the CPCE, though specific requirements vary by institution.
The CPCE provides raw scores and percentile rankings for each of the eight content areas and an overall composite score.
Yes, study guides, practice exams, flashcards, and online prep courses are available from various publishers and counselor education resources.
Yes, students can retake the CPCE according to their program's policies, typically after additional study and with payment of the exam fee.
Licensed professional counselors earn an average salary of $48,000-65,000 annually, with clinical mental health counselors earning $50,000-70,000+.