NCMHCE exam prep

Pass the NCMHCE with realistic clinical case practice

97 full case simulations, 241 domain drills, and 2,400+ exam-style questions with clinician-reviewed rationales, organized around the NBCC content outline. Start free — no credit card.

97
full cases
241
domain drills
2,466
practice questions

What is the NCMHCE?

The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination is the case-based licensure exam from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). You work through 11 clinical case studies (10 scored) with 9–15 questions each — 130–150 items in 225 minutes — making decisions about assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and intervention the way a practicing counselor would. Most states require or accept it for LPC, LCPC, LMHC, or LPCC licensure. Read the complete guide →

1AProfessional Development15% (Domain 1 total)
1BCounselor Self-Awareness15% (Domain 1 total)
2AIntake18% (Domain 2 total)
2BAssessment18% (Domain 2 total)
3ATreatment Planning15% (Domain 3 total)
3BContinuity of Care15% (Domain 3 total)
4Provision of Counseling Interventions20%

Largest share (with Domain 6)

5Indirect Client Care12%
6Legal and Ethical Compliance20%

Largest share (with Domain 4)

Practice the way the exam tests

The NCMHCE doesn’t test recall. It tests clinical judgment across an unfolding case. CaseSavvy is built around that.

97 full case simulations

Each case unfolds the way the real exam does — intake summary, first session, follow-up — with 13 multiple-choice questions written to DSM-5-TR criteria.

241 domain drills

Five-question vignettes targeted at a single domain, so you can hammer Assessment or Interventions without sitting through a full case.

Timed practice exams

10 scored cases, forward-only navigation, and the real clock — so test day feels like something you have already done.

A rationale on every answer

Every option explains why it is right or wrong, in clinical terms. You learn the reasoning the exam rewards, not just the answer key.

Domain performance tracking

See your accuracy across all 9 domains, weighted by how much each one counts on the exam, and drill your weakest areas first.

Built for the 2027 outline

Content is organized on the new 9-domain NBCC outline (effective July 1, 2027) with a toggle for the current 2025–2026 labels.

Try a real question — free

Pulled from the free tier, exactly as members see it. Pick an answer to reveal the rationale.

Domain 2B: Assessment

Your client is a 42-year-old man referred by his physician after a full medical workup found no organic cause for chronic muscle tension, headaches, and insomnia. He states, "I keep thinking something is really wrong with me — the doctors just haven't found it yet." He reports constant worry about health, finances, and job performance. You observe psychomotor restlessness and anxious affect. He denies suicidal ideation and substance use.

Which screening instrument is most appropriate to quantify the severity of this client's symptoms?

Domain 4: Provision of Counseling Interventions

You are facilitating an interpersonal skills group. One member consistently talks over others, and you notice another member sigh and cross her arms. The dominant member is in the middle of a lengthy story.

Which group facilitation skill is most appropriate in this moment?

Want more? Four more free practice questions or start the 5 free full cases.

This is what your study dashboard looks like

Sample data. Yours fills in from your first case.

Questions answered

142 / 2,466

Unique questions (no retakes)

Overall accuracy

74%

Last 100 questions

Cases completed

18

Full case attempts

Performance by domain

Exam version:

1A: Professional Development

~15% (D1) of exam · 17/20 correct

85%

1B: Counselor Self-Awareness

~15% (D1) of exam · 16/20 correct

80%

2A: Intake

~18% (D2) of exam · 14/17 correct

82%

2B: Assessment

~18% (D2) of exam · 12/17 correct

71%

3A: Treatment Planning

~15% (D3) of exam · 14/18 correct

78%

3B: Continuity of Care

~15% (D3) of exam · 14/19 correct

74%

4: Provision of Counseling Interventions

~20% of exam · 12/19 correct · Largest share (with 6)

62%

5: Indirect Client Care

~12% of exam · 13/17 correct

76%

6: Legal and Ethical Compliance

~20% of exam · 13/19 correct · Largest share (with 4)

68%

Simple pricing

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  • 5 full case simulations
  • 18 domain drills
  • 155 questions with rationales
  • ✓ Domain performance tracking
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$29/mo

  • ✓ All 97 full cases
  • ✓ All 241 domain drills
  • ✓ Timed practice exams
  • ✓ Cancel anytime
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$139/yr

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Frequently asked questions

The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination is a case-based clinical exam administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). It consists of 11 case studies (10 scored, 1 unscored) with 9–15 multiple-choice items each, totaling 130–150 items in 225 minutes. Most states require or accept it for LPC, LCPC, LMHC, or LPCC licensure.

5 full cases and 18 domain drills — free.

No credit card required. See exactly where you stand across all 9 domains.

Start Free Practice →