All applicants for licensure as a professional counselor must pass an examination consisting of two separate sections: a competency section and an Oregon law and rules section.

To qualify for licensure as a professional counselor, an applicant must pass one of the following competency examinations within 10 years from the date of application for licensure:

 

The Board uses the National Counselor Examination (NCE) as the state examination.  To qualify  for the competency examination, a LPC applicant must submit an application and meet the graduate program and coursework requirements.

 

Applicants pay exam and exam administration fees to the examination providers.  Passing scores are established by the National Board of Certified Counselors for applicants who plan to take the exam after making application for Oregon licensure.  The Board will notify examinees in writing of the results of their examination.

If an applicant has taken the exam before applying for licensure, the Board will ask for verification of score. 

 

Applicants by direct method, who have not passed an approved examination within 10 years of application, shall be required to take the NCE.

 

Applicants must also pass an Oregon state law and rules examination.  The passing score will be determined by the Board.