Because the examinations are given when the candidates are ready, NYMHCA has decided to offer examination preparation workshops in 3 different formats. Counselors can be trained individually, in small groups or in groups of up to 25 people.
Training for 1- 25 Counselors: $275 (NYMHCA Member) $350 (Non-Member)
We have 25 trained presenters around the state willing to provide the workshops in all of the formats listed above. With small groups, the presenter and the counselor(s) can determine the days and times of the training. Although large group training is given over one weekend, small groups can be trained at the convenience of the presenter and counselor(s).
At the time of registration for an examination preparation workshop you will need to purchase:
NCMHCE Study Guide from the NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) The
costs $44.95. Rush orders are possible.
You will need to bring the review book to the workshop along with a recent copy
of the:
DSM IV - TR
We also suggest that you download the Candidate Handbook for State
Credentialing which is published by the NBCC, and can be accessed here if you have an Acrobat Reader. If you do not have an Acrobat Reader, click on the link to the left to download one for free.
The handbook provides you with an overview of the exam process from registration to taking the exam, to sample questions.
NCMHCE Exam Format. The items on the National Clinical Mental Health
Counselor Examination are designed to sample a broad range of
competencies, rather than the recall of isolated facts. The items assess
clinical problem solving ability, including identifying, analyzing, diagnosis, and
treating clients through the use of effective treatment planning principles.
The exam consists of ten clinical cases. Each case is divided into 5-8 sections
classified as either information gathering or decision-making. Check the
review book for examples of the above. (We suggest that you do not take a
practice exam before taking the exam prep workshop. You will gain more by taking the practice exam during the workshop.)
Workshop Agenda. The workshop is designed to assist you to approach the
exam with confidence by understanding the structure and content of the
exam.
Study topics included are:
An overview of the test and test-taking strategies
Diagnosis
Intake interviewing and assessment
Treatment goal setting
Theory
Treatment outcomes
Case examples
Ethics review
The Day of the Workshop. Arrive at the workshop with: your exam review
book, a recent copy of the DSM, plenty of note-taking materials, and
highlighters. Depending on the number of people in the workshop and the
schedule you and the presenter have a greed upon, you might need to bring
lunch, snacks and drinks. Please discuss this with your presenter.
Once you have registered, you will be sent directions to where the workshop
will be held. If you have any special needs or require handicapped access,
please let the presenter and the NYMHCA office know immediately.
If You Fail the Exam........you may take it the exam prep workshop again for free! If you fail it a second time, you can take the exam prep workshop one
more time for free.
Our licensure regulations do not require a candidate to take the license examination at any specific time after completing their graduate education. Since the licensure exam tests your clinical knowledge, NYMHCA suggests that counselors take the exam after accruing 2.000 hours of the 3,000 hours of post-graduate experience. If the counselor fails the exam they still have plenty of time to take it again before their limited permit runs out, and with 2,000 hours of experience they should be ready to sit for the exam.
You will need to have your education verified and approved by the State Education Department before arranging to take the licensure exam. To do that you need to submit Form 2: Certification of Professional Education and be notifed of approval.
Before making an appointment to take the licensure exam, you must first send in an application to the NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors). You can download an application to take the licensure exam by going to:
www.NBCC.org and clicking on State Examination Information
Go to the link for: State Credentialing Boards
Click on New York on the map
Click on State Registration Form, and print of off
It costs $200 to take the exam
The NBCC will process your application and send it the NYS Education Department for approval. Once the approval is received by the NBCC, they will notify you with instructions on how to schedule an appointment to take the exam. Once you have taken it, the NBCC will forward your score to you and the NYS Education Department.
