University of Redlands > Academics > School of Education > Academics > Graduate Department of Leadership

and Counseling > Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling > Counselor Preparation Comprehensive

Examination (CPCE)

Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)

WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW

The comprehensive exam is an exit examination required of all Mental Health Master’s

degree students at the University of Redlands. The purpose of the exam is to assess the

student’s knowledge of counseling to ensure minimum competence in the field. The CPCE

will also provide collective feedback that can be used by the program in

Promotes longitudinal self-study.

Compares a program’s results to national data.

Stimulates student integration of knowledge learned in separate courses.

Gives students comparative strength / weakness feedback.

Please note CPCE is NOT a licensure exam.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CPCE

The CPCE is researched, developed, and distributed by both the Research and Assessment

Corporation for Counseling (RACC) and the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE),

two affiliate corporations of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The item

writing committee was selected from master’s and doctoral level professionals. The

1. Human growth and development – studies that provide an understanding of the

nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels.

2. Social and cultural foundations – studies that provide an understanding of issues and

trends in a multicultural and diverse society.

3. Helping relationships – studies that provide an understanding of counseling and

consultation processes.

4. Group work – studies that provide an understanding of group development, dynamics,

counseling theories, group counseling methods and skills, and other group work

approaches.

5. Career and lifestyle development – studies that provide an understanding of career

aspects of professional functioning including history, roles, organizational structures,

ethics, standards, and credentialing.

These eight core areas serve as the primary theoretical basis for the examination. It is

through these areas that the CPCE is associated with accepted professional standards.

FORMAT OF THE CPCE

The CPCE consists of 160 items with 20 items per CACREP area. Of the 20 items per

section, 17 will be scored; the remaining three will be pretest items that are not identified

to the student. The purpose of imbedded pre-testing is to generate actual score

performance data on items. This allows CCE to select items for future test construction that

have the most desirable psychometric attributes. Scores for each section and a total score

FAILURE OF THE EXAM

It is recommended that students take the exam within two (2) weeks of completion of their

course work Students who fail the exam must take it again following semester in order to

graduate. A subsequent failure will postpone graduation. Students who fail the exam three

(3) times should consult with their advisor to discuss a remedial plan in order to graduate.

The CPCE national norms are used to determine the minimum passing score. The minimum

passing score varies each year and is based on one standard deviation below the national

mean.

ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION FOR THE CPCE

In order to be eligible for the comprehensive examination, students must have completed

STUDY GUIDES

Listed below are two resources representative of the study materials available that offer

preparation materials. The Department does not endorse any one set of preparation

materials.

1. Academic Review provides preparation materials for the NCE. The CPCE is drawn from

the same type of questions. www.academicreview.com

2. Mastering the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the counselor preparation

comprehensive examination (CPCE) by Bradley T. Erford.

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Counselor-Preparation-Comprehensive-

Counseling/dp/0137017502

The Study Guide for the National Counselor Examination and CPCE by Dr. Andrew

Helwig. Available at http://www.counselor-exam-prep.com/cpce-counselor-