Subject Matter Expert (SME)

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This is your opportunity to engage with NBCC’s examination development!

NBCC examinations are developed by counselors for counselors. As an experienced counselor, you can be a part of that process by applying to be a subject matter expert, or SME. Our SMEs serve on examination committees for all NBCC and CCE examinations.

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Engagement Opportunities

Our SME roles are voluntary but can lead to paid opportunities such as item writing and translation projects.

Committee Meetings

Our SME Committee meetings are voluntary and are usually held virtually. Some meetings are held in-person, and NBCC/CCE will cover associated travel and accommodation expenses. Meetings are typically 1–3 days, depending on the examination and the type of meeting. There are also meetings that only require a few hours.

  • Work Analysis: The work analysis process uses mixed methods to gather both qualitative and quantitative data about the behaviors, knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgements of practicing counselors. Counselors from all over the country provide input about their experiences and the minimum requirements to be successful in the profession. NBCC gathers data through interviews, focus groups, and a validation survey.  
  • Content Outline: Once the baseline work behaviors and required knowledge for safe and competent practice are established, SMEs work together to determine how the relevant content should be distributed in the examination blueprint. They also recommend what proportion of the examination will assess each content area, how many questions should be on the examination, the format of the examination, and how long candidates have to complete the examination. 
  • Examination Form Review: Before every examination form is published, a qualified panel of SMEs is gathered to review the form in its entirety. Examination items are reviewed to ensure there is no outdated content; redundant content; or enemy items, meaning items that can provide clues to correct answers. Each form is evaluated to ensure that it matches the test blueprint and has the desired level of difficulty.  
  • Standard-Setting: The standard-setting process establishes a passing point or cut score on an examination form. NBCC utilizes multiple methods, including the industry standard modified Angoff process, to review the content wholistically and at the item level. SMEs make judgements on each item, and statistical processes are utilized to determine a defensible passing point. 

Item & Narrative Writing

Some of our SMEs become item and narrative writers. When the need for writers arises, our Content Development Coordinator reaches out to our trained and qualified SMEs. They utilize knowledge on best practices in item writing to create items as needed for various examinations. Item writers may be contracted for item writing based on their interest, availability, and training completion. Writers will have a deadline for item and narrative completion, and writing is compensated based on the number of accepted written items and narratives.

Item & Narrative Review

Once drafts of items and narratives are generated, a panel of SMEs reviews the generated drafts of items to ensure the content is appropriate for a minimally qualified candidate, is relevant to the profession, adheres to psychometric best practices, and is not influenced by construct-irrelevant factors. These reviews assist the SMEs in becoming skilled writers and reviewers, as well as more qualified overall SMEs.

Translation

Our multilingual SMEs assist with translation meetings and projects to help maintain the credibility and original context of the examinations. SMEs are recruited to ensure that the examinations are translated accurately, conveying professionalism and precision.

Examination Sensitivity & Bias Review Committee

By sharing their time and talents, members of the Examination Sensitivity and Bias Review (ESBR) Committee advocate for fairness and representation in our credentialing examination materials and help to transform the counseling profession.

  • Responsibilities: Review examination content (i.e., items and narratives) to evaluate the potential for issues of bias and sensitivity and provide guidance for how to reconcile any concerns. Evaluate items that show differential item functioning to determine if revisions are needed.
  • Attendance: Attendance is expected at committee meetings of varying length. These meetings typically occur virtually but may, on occasion, occur at the NBCC Headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. NBCC will cover associated travel and accommodation expenses.
  • Nature of Work: The committee is expected to set guidelines for item writers and examination reviewers to address bias at item and test development stages. The committee reviews test items on an ongoing basis and makes recommendations, as appropriate, regarding examination processes to reduce potential method bias.

To apply specifically for this committee, please complete the ESBR Committee Application.

Examinations & Requirements

SMEs are currently being accepted to participate in the development of the following examinations:

National Counselor Examination (NCE)

Minumum Requirements

  • Must have passed the NCE, as well as be an active NCC.
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of NCE or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE)

Minumum Requirements

  • Must have passed the NCMHCE, as well as be an active NCC.
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of NCE or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP).

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)

Minumum Requirements

  • Must have passed the NCE or NCMHCE, as well as be an active NCC
  • Must be a faculty member at a college or university in counselor education or similar professional field of study
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of CPCE, NCE, or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

Board Certified Coach Examination (BCCE)

Minumum Requirements

  • Must have passed the BCCE, as well as be an active BCC credential holder
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of BCCE, NCE, or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

TeleMental Health Examination (TMHE)

Minumum Requirements:

  • Must have passed the TMHE, as well as be an active BC-TMH credential holder
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of TMHE, NCE, or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner Examination (HS-BCPE)

Minumum Requirements:

  • Must have passed the HS-BCPE, as well as be an active HS-BCP credential holder
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of HS-BCPE, NCE, or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

Human Services Comprehensive Examination (HSCE)

Minumum Requirements

  • Must have passed the HSCE and/or the HS-BCPE, as well as be an active HSP and/or HS-BCP credential holder
  • Must not be involved or engaged in any kind of HSCE, NCE, or NCMHCE test preparation, preparation for any CCE examinations, or be a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Being an SME is a professional service opportunity. SME participation provides a unique experience where you get to work with a diverse group of passionate professionals and contribute to continued excellence in the counseling profession. SMEs serving on committees are typically asked to participate in examination development meetings throughout the year. Engaging in the development of counseling assessments allows you to have an immediate impact on the standards required to be a professional counselor. Because NBCC examinations are made for counselors, by counselors, we need counselors like you to provide expertise. 

There are continuing education opportunities available for SMEs who complete certain trainings. In addition, serving on these committees may qualify as leadership hours that can be used toward the continuing education requirement for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.
SMEs are enlisted by NBCC to provide their expertise in examination content development. SMEs can serve on several different committees pertaining to different parts of the examination development process: work analysis, standard setting, examination form and item review, and appeals. SMEs serving on committees are typically asked to participate in examination development meetings two to four times a year. These are typically 2- to 3-day meetings that can be virtual or in person. If meetings are held in person, NBCC will cover associated travel and accommodation expenses.

After participating in examination form and/or item review meetings, those interested in serving as item or narrative writers can apply for this position, complete the necessary trainings, and become eligible for item writing contracts as needs arise.
Most SME responsibilities are specific to their assigned examination role. Overall, SMEs are responsible for attending committee meetings, actively participating during the meetings to provide their expertise, and ensuring test security protocols are followed at all times, including, but not limited to, maintaining confidentiality and not participating in the development of test preparation content.
The general requirements of being an SME include having earned the credential related to the examination you are interested in working on. In addition, your credential must be in good standing with NBCC. Before becoming an SME, you are required to go through the SME onboarding process.
We ask applicants to complete an application to provide us with specific information about their credentials, qualifications, experience, and expertise. Once your application materials have been reviewed, you will be notified whether you met the requirements. If accepted, you will be contacted by the Assessments Outreach Coordinator about completing the SME onboarding process. Depending on the current examination development needs, you will be contacted when SMEs are needed for our different examinations. Examination development is an ongoing process, and participation times vary throughout the year. We ask that you be patient as we work with our SMEs in accordance with our regular assessment calendar.
No prior experience is needed. We will provide any training you will need.
After we have reviewed your application materials, we will notify you that you have met the qualifications.
All new SMEs will sign a non-disclosure agreement, view the SME orientation video, and complete SME onboarding training. This training will introduce them to NBCC, the examination development process, and various opportunities for SME involvement. Training is provided for specific tasks on an ongoing basis, and some trainings may be eligible for NBCC continuing education credit.
We understand that SMEs won’t be available to attend all meetings; however, we would like our SMEs to attempt to make themselves available for some meetings. When meetings arise, SMEs will be contacted in advance with dates and pertinent meeting information. There could be two to four meetings per year for a given examination. Meetings can range from 2–3 days, requiring attendance for all days; however, we do have some meetings that are 2–3 hours.
Yes! Although many of our committee meetings are full-day meetings, we have some opportunities that are as short as 2 to 3 hours. Just let us know about your availability when we reach out to you about upcoming opportunities.
The commitment time varies for each examination committee. SMEs will be asked to serve for up to 2 years, with the option to renew, if needed.
No! We have several opportunities that are virtual, requiring no travel, and other opportunities that require travel to our headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. If you prefer not to travel, just let us know about your preference not to travel when we reach out to you about upcoming opportunities. There also may be opportunities to gather at national conferences or other scheduled professional development events should the need arise.
Most SME participation is voluntary. Being an SME is a professional service opportunity. SME participation provides a unique experience where you get to work with a diverse group of passionate professionals and contribute to continued excellence in the counseling profession. You will have an opportunity to network on a national level with other experts in counseling and build new professional skills. Engaging in the development of counseling assessments allows you to have an immediate impact on the standards required to be a professional counselor. Because NBCC examinations are made for counselors, by counselors, we need counselors like you to provide expertise. We value our SMEs for their dedication to the profession and willingness to serve in these professional service committees.

For in-person meetings, NBCC covers necessary costs associated with travel, hotel, and food.

There are a limited number of paid item writer opportunities available exclusively to our SMEs. To be selected as an item writer, you must complete all required SME and item writer trainings, be evaluated by our content development team, and attend some of our SME meetings. These meetings are an opportunity to get oriented with our examinations and understand more about the item writing and review process before beginning item writing tasks.

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