The short answer
- Cost: $275 to NBCC in most states, plus any state fee; Florida pays CCE $350 for a first attempt.
- Steps: check whether your board must approve you first (most do; Texas and Florida do not), pay NBCC (CCE in Florida), get your Authorization to Test, book Pearson VUE.
- Start early. Some boards take months to approve.
Before test day, get used to the case format: one free case, every answer explained, about 20 minutes, no sign-up.
Try a free caseWhat it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $275 | From NBCC's current state supplements; Florida is $350 for a first attempt, paid to CCE. Not necessarily your total: some states add their own or a contractor's fee. |
| Rescheduling | $50 | Must be done at least 24 hours before the appointment, and the new date must stay inside your authorization window. |
| Retake | $275 | A new registration with the full exam fee, not a discounted retake fee. |
| Late cancel or no-show | Full fee lost | So is arriving more than 15 minutes late or testing outside your window. |
| State license application | Varies | Separate from the exam. See your state on the state requirements page. |
Being late is expensive. Arriving more than 15 minutes late, a late cancellation or a no-show forfeits your exam fee, the same as testing outside your window.
How to register
| Step | What happens | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Your state | Find your state in NBCC’s state directory. Most boards must approve you before you register; a few, such as Texas and Florida, let you register directly (Florida through CCE, $350 for a first attempt) | Own fees and deadlines; approval can take months |
| 2. Pay NBCC (CCE in Florida) | Register and pay $275, or $350 in Florida | Pay before you can book anything |
| 3. Authorization | NBCC sends your Authorization to Test with your dates | Up to 6 months; miss it and you lose the fee |
| 4. Book | Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online | Seats can be booked a day ahead, but fill up |
| 5. ID | Government photo ID | Name must match your registration exactly |
What you need at a test center or online
| Pearson VUE test center | OnVUE online | |
|---|---|---|
| ID | Two original, unexpired IDs. The primary must be government-issued with name, photo and signature; the secondary needs name and signature, or name and a recent photo. | One valid, original government-issued photo ID, shown to the proctor. An ID that law prohibits from being digitized cannot be used. |
| What you can have | Writing materials are supplied at check-in and must be returned. Keys, wallet and phone can be stored in the provided locker; leave valuables at home. | A clear container of water. Other food or drink needs an approved accommodation. |
| Not allowed | Phones, smart watches, notes, calculators or other aids; talking to anyone; reading questions aloud; copying or reconstructing exam material; unauthorized breaks. | |
| Your result | Unofficial score report after you finish and return the writing materials. | View and print the score report from your Pearson dashboard. |
Test-center IDs ordinarily must be issued by the country where you test. If yours aren't, you need your citizenship-country passport plus a secondary ID.
Online or at a test center?
| At home (OnVUE) | Test center | |
|---|---|---|
| Liked | Calmer; time left shown clearly | Fewer tech surprises; a notebook to write on |
| Risks | Tech failures; leaving the camera view before the break can end the exam | Strict security; center computers can freeze |
| Restroom | Only at the scheduled break after case 5 | Allowed, but the clock keeps running |
| Best if | Centers make you anxious and your internet is solid | You may need a break or your internet is shaky |
Testing at home: run Pearson VUE’s system test early, plug the laptop in, clear the desk and don’t use a touchscreen.
Delays and mistakes to avoid
- Slow boards. Illinois candidates reported 8–12 weeks, then more for exam approval. Apply early.
- Few open dates. Book soon after your authorization arrives.
- Wrong exam. A few people were registered for the NCE by mistake. Check your authorization.
- Missing results. Online testers found them first on their Pearson VUE score page.
- Lost emails. Check spam for board messages.
Testing accommodations
- Your state board usually approves them, subject to NBCC. Start in NBCC’s state directory.
- A new request for every registration. Written approval comes before scheduling; some took weeks to months.
- Then book by phone: Pearson VUE, 800-466-0450, option 3. OnVUE offers only limited accommodations.
If you need to retake
Wait at least 30 days, or your state’s longer rule, and register again at $275. Official scores reach your board within 30 days after the month ends. The retake page has a plan.
NCMHCE registration FAQ
How much does the NCMHCE cost?
The examination fee is $275 in NBCC's current state-licensure supplements; Florida is the exception at $350 for a first attempt and $275 for a retake, paid to CCE, with no board approval needed first. Some states add their own fees, a reschedule costs $50, and a retake is a new registration with the full fee.
Can I take the NCMHCE online?
Yes. The NCMHCE is offered at Pearson VUE test centers and by OnVUE online proctoring. Only limited accommodations are available through OnVUE.
How soon can I retake the NCMHCE?
At least 30 days after an unsuccessful attempt, unless your state licensing agency requires a longer wait. Some state supplements still specify three months; the longer rule applies.
Is it better to take the NCMHCE online or at a test center?
It is the same exam either way. People who tested at home liked the calmer setting but reported tech failures and no restroom access until the scheduled break after case five. Test centers have fewer equipment surprises and give you a notebook to write on, with strict security. If you might need a break or your internet is unreliable, a test center is the safer choice.
Sources
- NBCC, NCMHCE handbook: registration, authorization window, ID for OnVUE, accommodations, scores, retake interval, conduct rules. Accessed August 10, 2026.
- NBCC state supplements: Arizona and Illinois: $275 fee, retake registration, six-month eligibility period. Accessed August 10, 2026.
- Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, Exam application process: no board approval before the NCMHCE, $350 first attempt and $275 re-exam paid to CCE. Accessed October 24, 2026.
- Pearson VUE, NBCC testing: test-center IDs, scheduling lead time, $50 reschedule, forfeiture rules. Accessed August 10, 2026.
- NBCC, NCMHCE exam page. Accessed August 10, 2026.
The free practice case is one full NCMHCE-style case: 14 questions, about 20 minutes, no account needed.
Try the free case