Which credential might counselors hold to meet NBCC standards?

• A. LPC
• B. LMSW
• C. NCC
• D. MFT

Answer: (C)

The central idea is national certification through NBCC. The credential that shows you’ve met NBCC standards is the National Certified Counselor (NCC). NBCC administers this certification, and earning it typically means you’ve completed a qualifying graduate program in counseling, gained supervised clinical experience, passed the NCC examination, and agreed to uphold NBCC’s ethics and ongoing continuing education. This credential signals alignment with NBCC’s nationwide benchmarks for professional counselors.

LPC, LMSW, and MFT are licensure or licensure-adjacent credentials issued by state boards or specialty bodies. They indicate you’re authorized to practice in a specific profession within a state, but they aren’t NBCC’s national certification. A counselor might hold one of those licenses and also pursue the NCC to demonstrate NBCC-specific standards nationwide.