The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) play a central role in promoting excellence in the counseling profession through rigorous credentialing processes and examination development. At the heart of these efforts are the examination programs, which are carefully developed and maintained to reflect the current realities of professional practice. Through subject matter expert (SME) collaboration, psychometric precision, and a commitment to fairness, NBCC and CCE ensure that each examination upholds the highest standards of validity and reliability.
Rigorous examination development ensures:
Credentialing examinations are more than assessments; they are essential tools to ensure public safety, professional readiness, and ethical practice. These examinations are designed to evaluate whether candidates possess the foundational knowledge, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills required for effective and responsible professional practice. By maintaining rigorous standards and continually updating content, NBCC and CCE help uphold the integrity of the counseling profession and all other professions that we serve.
NBCC and CCE are committed to ensuring that all qualified candidates have equitable access to credentialing examinations. From the earliest stages of development, accessibility and inclusion are prioritized. Examination content is reviewed not only for validity and fairness but also for potential barriers that may impact individuals with disabilities. The item writing and review process includes experts who consider language clarity, cognitive load, and diverse testing needs. NBCC and CCE work to design examinations that accommodate a wide range of abilities, without compromising the rigor or integrity of the assessment. This approach reflects a deep commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and equal opportunity for all examinees.
…a [work] analysis report may be the single most important piece of evidence supporting the validity of score interpretations on credentialing exams.
Raymond, 2016, p.145
When test content is a primary source of validity evidence in support of the use of a test for employment decisions or credentialing, a close link between test content and the job or professional/occupational requirements should be demonstrated.
AERA et al., 2014, p. 178
A comprehensive work analysis is the foundation of a valid and reliable credentialing examination. It identifies the critical tasks, knowledge, and skills required for competent counseling practice. Based on this analysis, a well-defined test blueprint is developed to guide the initial and ongoing development of counselor credentialing examinations. It serves multiple functions:
In phase 1, NBCC leadership and counseling leaders collaborate to establish a Work Analysis Task Force that guides the project.
In phase 2, in-person and virtual focus groups, along with a validation survey, are conducted to gather and confirm data on the minimum competencies required for professional success.
In phase 3, using the validated data, test specifications are created, followed by NBCC review and approval, public release, and formal documentation of the process.
Why Gamify a Work Analysis Survey? Counselors are dynamic, people-centered professionals, and we believe the tools we use to shape the future of the profession should reflect that same energy and relevance. That’s why we’re reimagining the traditional work analysis survey as a gamified, interactive experience.
Rather than scrolling through long lists of tasks in a standard format, counselors will engage with a modern, user-friendly platform that turns survey participation into a meaningful, intuitive experience throughout which they can build their virtual counseling office. Gamification techniques make the process more enjoyable, more accessible, and more reflective of real-world decision-making. It also improves focus and completion rates, helping ensure diverse perspectives are represented.
But this isn’t just about making things fun. By rethinking how we collect data, we can better capture the nuances of your daily work. This helps us create more accurate and relevant credentialing examinations that reflect the real responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of professional counseling today.
Your voice shapes the profession. Now, it’s easier than ever to share it.
As part of completing the work analysis survey, you will have the opportunity to read two engaging and dynamic articles that will help you to understand how reflecting on your work as a professional counselor is critical to professional development. In addition, you will learn the importance of following standard guidelines for credentialing processes and examination development as well as the steps to developing and completing a work analysis survey. After completing the CE program and work analysis survey, participants can take a short quiz in order to receive their CE certificate for 4.5 NBCC continuing education credit hours.
After completing this continuing education program and work analysis survey, participants will be able to:
Credentialing examinations in counseling must do more than assess knowledge. They must meet the highest standards of validity, reliability, fairness, and legal defensibility. That’s where the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) plays a critical role.
The TAC is a group of independent psychometricians, testing experts, and content specialists who provide objective, research-based guidance on every phase of examination development and maintenance. They help ensure that assessments like the NCE and NCMHCE are not only technically sound but aligned with evolving standards in educational measurement and credentialing examinations.
Through rigorous review of methodologies, scoring models, equating procedures, accommodations, and statistical analyses, the TAC ensures our examinations are fair and accurate for all candidates. The committee’s oversight strengthens the credibility of the credentialing process, supports legal defensibility, and reinforces public trust in the counseling profession.
By consulting with a TAC, NBCC and CCE demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and transparency, making certain that our assessments reflect both professional realities and psychometric excellence.
For any questions about the survey content or process, please contact NBCC Assessments at workanalysis@nbcc.org.
For technical issues with the survey platform, please contact workanalysis@nbcc.org.
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