National Certified School Counselor (NCSC)
The National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) is a specialty credential which recognizes counselors who possess a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling with coursework in school counseling and who have passed a challenging national application and examination process. NCSCs have a strong commitment to the school counseling profession and to providing high quality services to students, parents, teachers and communities. Currently there are nearly 2500 NCCs who hold the NCSC credential.
The NCSC credential is a result of the joint efforts of the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the National Board for Certified Counselors. The NCSC credential was first offered to qualified counselors in 1991.
For those who wish to earn the NCSC, but have not earned the NCC, there is a combined application available.
The National Certified School Counselor Examination (NCSCE) is required for this certification.
What are some of the advantages of becoming an NCSC?
- Identification as master’s level counseling practitioners who work in school settings
- Recognition by other mental health professionals as experts on the mental health needs of today’s school children and adolescents
- Demonstration of an ongoing commitment to high quality school counseling services through continuing education
- Salary increases in an increasing number of states and school systems across the country
To honor our commitment to the advancement of the school counseling profession, NBCC regularly reviews all aspects of the NCSC application and examination processes. The current requirements went into effect January 1, 2004.