Licensure Exams
The LPC exam: NCE or NCMHCE?
Last updated September 29, 2026 · Published by Counseling Exam Assist
Short answer
There is no single "LPC exam." Your state board picks the national test: many accept the NCE or the NCMHCE, and some (like Texas) now require the NCMHCE. Most LPC states also require a state jurisprudence exam.
LPC exam by state
| State | National exam |
|---|---|
| Texas | NCMHCE + jurisprudence — details |
| Pennsylvania | NCE or NCMHCE — details |
| New Jersey | NCE or NCMHCE — details |
| Georgia | NCE or NCMHCE — details |
| Ohio | NCE for LPC; NCMHCE for LPCC — details |
How to choose
- Only one exam accepted? Take that one.
- Both accepted and you may relocate? The NCMHCE is accepted more widely for clinical licensure.
- Both accepted and staying put? Choose based on your board’s requirements and the exam’s content, not unsupported pass-rate comparisons.
Compare them side by side in NCMHCE vs NCE, or see the LMHC exam guide if your state uses that title.
Frequently asked questions
What exam is required for the LPC?
It depends on the state. Many LPC states accept either the NCE or the NCMHCE; some, such as Texas since 2023, require the NCMHCE. Most also require a state jurisprudence or laws and rules exam.
Is the LPC exam the NCE or the NCMHCE?
Either, depending on your state board. The NCE is 200 multiple-choice questions on counseling knowledge; the NCMHCE is 11 clinical case simulations. Check your board's current rules before registering.
Which is easier for the LPC, the NCE or the NCMHCE?
We did not locate verified national first-time or retake pass rates in the official NBCC/CCE materials reviewed. State and program statistics are not national rates.
Do I need a jurisprudence exam for the LPC?
Many states, including Texas, require a separate open-book jurisprudence exam on state counseling law in addition to the national exam.
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