Continuing education is an integral part of professional practice. There are many ways you can earn continuing education credit. Any of the following activities will qualify for continuing education clock hours to recertify your NCC, as long as the activity relates to an approved content area.
For any continuing education activity, you must have proper documentation, as described below, in order to claim credit. You can use the NBCC continuing education credit verification form for activities that do not provide a certificate of completion.
All courses must be graduate level. A transcript, grade report, or verification form is required for documentation. A course description or syllabus may be requested.
1 semester hour = 15 clock hours
1 quarter hour = 10 clock hours
NBCC ACEP approval is not required; however, the courses must meet NBCC guidelines for continuing education. A certificate, verification form, or letter verifying attendance is required for documentation. The documentation must include your name, date attended, hours completed, program title, and signature of presenter/provider.
Publication Authorship activities are limited to articles in refereed and non-refereed journals, a chapter in an edited book, or a published book. Required documentation includes a complete copy of each publication (article, book chapter, or book) and a record of actual publication and preparation time. For a chapter in an edited book, a copy of the table of contents is part of the required documentation.
Original Program Presentation Activities include acting as a speaker or presenter during an original education program directly related to an approved continuing education topic. Credit may be granted for actual presentation time only. Required documentation includes a copy of the complete presentation materials and a document from the organizational sponsor verifying the program presentation activity.
List the dates for which credit was granted by your college or university for work done toward the completion of your doctoral dissertation from an institutionally accredited college or university counseling program. Required documentation includes the title of your dissertation; the name of your college or university; and a transcript, grade report, or other documentation verifying the dissertation work completed.
Continuing education clock hours can only be granted for formal consultation/supervision with a clinical focus received on a regular basis. Credit cannot be granted for supervision you provide to others. List the start and end dates and the site where you received supervision, as well as the name and credentials of your supervisor. A signed letter from your supervisor is required for documentation. Supervision for academic credit should be listed under coursework. A maximum of 25 contact hours can be granted in a certification cycle for supervision taken for academic credit.
To qualify for continuing education credit, you must hold a leadership position and be within your current certification cycle. Leadership activities are limited to active volunteer service to professional counseling organizations, associations, or committees and must be unpaid. List the position, the start and end dates, and the name of the organization. A signed letter from the organization with the dates and type of service is required for documentation.
Volunteer hours may be earned by providing volunteer (uncompensated) mental health counseling or related services to client individuals or organizations as a community service. The mission of the organization must fit into an approved content area. A certificate, verification form, or letter verifying attendance and a written statement explaining how the activity assists in your direct service to clients is required for documentation. The documentation must include your name, date attended, hours completed, title of the activity, and signature of an appropriate representative. Activities are considered on a case-by-case basis.
A passing score on the NCE or NCMHCE may be used in lieu of the required continuing education hours in the recertification and reinstatement processes.
Remember to check the calendar of events for upcoming NBCC-approved continuing education events in your state.
NBCC does not endorse the content or fitness of the products or services of other organizations, businesses, and individuals, including the information provided in this advertisement.
The information provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) on the nbcc.org website (site) is for general information purposes only. NBCC makes significant efforts to maintain current and accurate information on this site. We are not responsible for any information concerning NBCC or our programs, services, or activities that is published or displayed on any third-party website(s). These websites are maintained by third parties over which we exercise no control, and for which we have no responsibility. Individuals should verify any information obtained from third-party sources by referring to our official site or contacting our customer service team directly.
Copyright ©2025 National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates | All rights reserved.
Manage Cookie Preferences