Government Affairs Newsroom
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is committed to keeping counselors informed about public policy issues affecting the profession. Our regular posts will highlight legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to counselor employment, reimbursement, funding, and practice rights. Stay tuned to ensure that you are up to date on all the latest counseling initiatives.
Get Out the Vote: The 2026 Midterms Are Approaching
July 29, 2026Our Government Affairs Department has put together an invaluable online hub for Counselors, Counselor Educators, students, and other professionals to learn about important legislation, advocacy efforts, practice rights, and other mental health care concerns. |
Governmental Affairs Leadership: Shaping Mental Health Policy in 2026
July 29, 2026The first half of this year has been incredibly busy on the congressional and federal front. Learn about how changes have impacted the Counseling profession, and how NBCC advocates to support Counselors. |
Stay Up to Date With NBCC’s Government Affairs Resources
July 29, 2026Our Government Affairs Department has put together an invaluable online hub for Counselors, Counselor Educators, students, and other professionals to learn about important legislation, advocacy efforts, practice rights, and other mental health care concerns. |
NBCC Joins Congressional Briefing to Advocate for Future Counselors
June 17, 2026NBCC joined other organizations, experts, and affected students to warn members of Congress about the damaging consequences of the Department of Education’s new RISE rule to limit graduate student loans. |
Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association Demonstrates Advocacy in Action
May 27, 2026When a bill threatened to dissolve the state’s Counselor licensing board, TLPCA mobilized its members to contact their legislators. Dr. Robin Lee explains how advocacy was successful. |
The Department of Education RISE Final Rule: What It Means for Counseling
May 27, 2026The Department of Education (ED) has finalized its Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule, which will exclude Mental Health Counseling programs from professional degree status beginning July 1, 2026. |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services FY 2027 Budget Proposal
April 22, 2026Learn more about key funding changes to the Department of Health and Human Services fiscal year 2027 budget and what those changes could mean for Counselors. |
Building Expertise in Older Adults’ Mental Health
March 25, 2026NBCC is a proud member of the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition (MMHWC) and its work to provide resources for Counselors serving Medicare beneficiaries. |
NBCC Responds to the Department of Education’s Definition of 'Professional Degree'
March 19, 2026NBCC, in collaboration with three major coalitions, is calling on the Department of Education to reconsider a proposed rule that would declassify Counseling from professional degree status. The NBCC Government Affairs team explains why the proposed rule threatens the mental health workforce and how we are advocating for Counselors. |
Advocates Rally to Protect Mental Health Workforce in Capitol Hill Briefing
February 26, 2026Mental health advocates, Professional Counseling organizations, and bipartisan members of Congress gathered on Capitol Hill to sound the alarm about Department of Education proposed changes to professional degree recognition and federal financial aid for graduate students that threaten to decimate access to care and local economies due to catastrophic reductions in future Mental Health Counseling workforce capacity. |
