Ethics: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to make disclosures?
Whether you are already a National Certified Counselor or if you are applying for national certification, you are required to make certain disclosures.
What are the required disclosure matters?
Prior criminal felony, misdemeanor, and other criminal convictions.
Current and pending criminal felony, misdemeanor, and other charges, including complaints and indictments.
State Court matters where the candidate or certificant was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or controlled substances within ten (10) years prior to the date of their initial certification application or certification maintenance application.
Government agency and professional organization conduct or other complaint matters relating to the candidate/certificant, including disciplinary and complaint matters, within ten (10) years prior to the date of their initial certification application or certification maintenance application.
Legal matters related to the candidate’s/certificant’s business or professional activities, including civil complaints and lawsuits.
When are disclosures required?
For applicants:
Disclosures must be made at the time of application
Following submission of the application, you are required to notify NBCC in writing of any additional matters by submitting the appropriate disclosure cover sheet and required documents
For National Certified Counselors:
Disclosures must be submitted in writing within 60 days of your knowledge of the charge or complaint even if the matter is ongoing
I need to make a disclosure. What steps should I take?
Carefully review the Ethics Disclosure Packet instructions and complete the appropriate packet. Be sure to include all required documentation in your submission. Completed packets can be submitted via one of the following methods:
Email: ethics@nbcc.org
Postal Mail: NBCC Ethics Department, 3 Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403
Fax: (336) 217-4287
You are encouraged to retain a copy of your packet for your records. During the review of your disclosure packet, the Ethics Department may contact you for additional information. You will be notified via the email and/or the postal mailing address listed in your Credentialing Gateway account once the review is complete.
Can you verify receipt of submissions?
Yes. Upon receipt of your submission, you will receive an email from us. Once your review is complete, you will be notified via email and/or postal mail. All communications will be sent to the contact information listed in your Credentialing Gateway account.
Can I expedite the processing of my application disclosure?
Submissions are reviewed in the order they were received. Submitting a complete and accurate packet and responding to additional information inquiries from us will help expedite the review process. Failure to provide all required documents may cause delays.
How long will it take before I receive a response?
Response times depend on the volume of submissions at the time of receipt. You are highly encouraged to respond as quickly as possible with all requested documentation. Average response time is 6–8 weeks from submission of all required documents.
I am a student. How does the ethics review process affect my examination date?
By submitting your application and payment, you are automatically considered for the first available examination administration. However, in order to sit for the examination, your ethics review must be complete. Submitting a complete and accurate packet will help expedite the review process, as failure to provide all required documents will cause delays.
If the review process is not complete by the time test sites are arranged, you will automatically be registered for the next examination administration date, assuming you are eligible.
I applied for the examination. Why do I have to disclose?
Although individuals can choose to register for an examination as part of the certification application process, there is no application specific to the examination itself. The examination is one of the requirements of the national certification application.
Do I have to disclose something if it was over 25 years ago?
It depends. Please refer to the Certification Eligibility Policy for additional information regarding your specific circumstance.
If a matter was dismissed or set aside, do I have to disclose it?
Please refer to the Certification Eligibility Policy for additional information regarding your specific circumstance.
*Please note: You must disclose pending matters.
Where can I see sample court documents referenced in the email I received?
You can find sample documents at nbcc.org/resources/ethics.
Can you tell me the outcome of the review over the telephone?
No. Once your submission has been reviewed, you will be notified via the email and/or postal mailing address listed in your Credentialing Gateway account.
Can I get professional advice regarding an ethical dilemma from NBCC?
No. The NBCC Ethics Department serves as a reviewing entity for complaints and disclosures. We do not provide guidance for ethical dilemmas. We encourage you to review the NBCC Code of Ethics and the ethical guidelines of your state licensure board.
How can I report a concern about a counselor who is nationally certified?
If you have concerns about a certificant or applicant, contact the Ethics Department at ethics@nbcc.org. Try to provide as much identifying information as possible, including the counselor’s name, location (city and state), and NBCC identification number.
What if I have another question for the Ethics Department?
Please submit any questions not addressed either in the communications provided by the Ethics Department or this FAQ in a single email to ethics@nbcc.org.
Here are some important reminders when creating an email:
Be as specific as possible.
If you are referring to a disclosure, use the assigned ethics case file number, if you have it. This number is located on any correspondence that you receive from the Ethics Department.
Include your complete name and NBCC identification number (if applicable).
Communications regarding the status of your review cannot be provided.
Who can I file a complaint against?
A complaint can be filed against any person certified by NBCC and Affiliates and/or applying for certification(s).
What documents, other than the Ethics Complaint Statement, can I submit to support my complaint?
Documents such as government agency complaints or decisions, court complaints or decisions, and other public documents or materials may be submitted in support of an Ethics Complaint Statement or may serve as the basis of an ethics inquiry initiated by NBCC.
How long will my complaint review take?
The complaint review time will vary and depends on the nature of the complaint and supporting documentation. All complaints must follow due process and are not resolved immediately.
What if I disagree with the decision to accept my complaint for formal review?
Within 30 days of the mailing date of a complaint rejection letter, the complainant may appeal the rejection of the Ethics Complaint Statement to the NBCC President and CEO. In order to have the NBCC President and CEO consider this appeal, a complainant must state in writing the following: (a) the procedural errors possibly made by the NBCC Director of Ethics with respect to the complaint rejection, if any; (b) the specific provisions of the Code of Ethics believed violated; and (c) the specific information to support the acceptance of the complaint(s). The NBCC President and CEO will consider any complaint rejection and issue a final decision, which cannot be appealed.
