CPCE Exam Review Test Bank 2 Latest 2026-2027 with 400
Questions and Correct Answers/ NBCC CPCE Test 2026-
2027/ CPCE – Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam
1. The NBCC Code of Ethics and the ACA Code of Ethics do not include a
statement reflecting the principle that:
A) Counselors have a right to protect clients from themselves if the clients
give evidence of being self-injurious.
B) Revelation of a counselor’s notes on a client should not be made to other
professionals unless the client has provided written permission or the
information has been subpoenaed.
C) Counselors should receive appropriate fees for services rendered
regardless of the situation or setting.
D) Improvement of the profession through professional involvement is a
responsibility of all counselors.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The codes emphasize appropriate fees but allow for pro bono work and
sliding scales; they do not require fees in all situations.
2. A state does not yet have counselor licensure. In a presentation to a civic
club about licensure benefits, you note that:
A) Licensure automatically entitles counselors to third-party payments.
B) Some professional groups (e.g., psychologists) have opposed counselor
licensure despite increased need for mental health services.
C) State licensure laws have existed for over 40 years, but only recently
have a majority of states passed them.
D) Licensure protects the public by restricting the term “counselor” to
graduates of counselor education programs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Psychologists and other groups have historically opposed counselor
licensure, while the need for services has grown.
1
, 3. A client has concluded counseling with another counselor and now comes to
you. According to NBCC ethical standards, you should:
A) Proceed as with any new client.
B) Contact the other counselor to ask if it is appropriate.
C) Contact the other counselor to avoid covering the same topics.
D) Advise the client to continue with the other counselor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Each new counseling relationship is independent; prior counseling does
not require contacting the previous counselor.
4. Your employer requires reporting all instances of child abuse. A client
alludes to possibly being a child abuser. You should:
A) Contact a lawyer; the policy violates fair trade laws.
B) Refer the client elsewhere; salary implies agreement with policies.
C) Inform the client of the policy and let the client decide how to proceed.
D) Contact a consultant and follow their advice.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Informed consent requires disclosing the reporting policy so the client
can make decisions.
5. A married couple seeks counseling for marital difficulties. One spouse
reports being a new active member of AA. You should:
A) Investigate AA’s activities and continue counseling if they do not include
counseling.
B) Terminate with that spouse but continue with the other.
C) Offer to co-counsel with AA staff.
D) Refer both spouses to AA.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AA is a support group, not counseling; you may continue as long as
there is no dual relationship conflict.
6. A clergy member calls asking for your evaluation of a former client’s
spiritual values for theological school admission. You should:
2
, A) Respond orally with no record and no attribution.
B) Inform the caller you cannot divulge whether a person is or was a client
without permission.
C) Call the former client for permission before giving opinions.
D) Seek supervisor guidance on what information is permissible.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality prohibits confirming or denying client status or sharing
information without written consent.
7. A potential employer calls asking for your opinion on a client’s job
suitability. Under which condition may you provide information without
violating ethics?
A) When the client will not get the job otherwise.
B) When your information would ensure the client gets the job.
C) When in your judgment the information would enhance the client’s
chances.
D) None of the above.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Client permission is required before releasing any information to an
employer.
8. As applied to professional licensure, “reciprocity” means:
A) One licensing agency accepts another’s standards as sufficient.
B) A licensed counselor may perform the functions of a psychologist.
C) Certification is synonymous with licensure.
D) Graduation from an accredited program automatically qualifies for
licensure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reciprocity means one state honors another state’s licensure
requirements.
9. The publication likely to have the largest number of current research articles
on the counseling process is:
3
, A) Journal of Counseling Psychology
B) Review of Educational Research
C) Journal of Consulting and Abnormal Psychology
D) Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Journal of Counseling Psychology focuses specifically on
counseling process research.
10.According to NBCC and ACA ethics, when should a counselor try to
persuade a client to report knowledge of a crime?
A) When there is imminent danger to others
B) When there is a crime in progress
C) After the crime
D) Never
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Imminent danger creates a duty to warn and protect potential victims.
11.Third-party reimbursement is a term pertinent to:
A) Transactional analysis
B) Behavioral therapy
C) Insurance practices
D) Veterans’ educational programs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Third-party reimbursement refers to insurance companies paying for
services.
12.In the late 1970s, AACD (now ACA) focused heavily on credentialing,
leading to the formation of the:
A) CCMHC
B) NBCC
C) CACREP
D) APGA
4
Questions and Correct Answers/ NBCC CPCE Test 2026-
2027/ CPCE – Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam
1. The NBCC Code of Ethics and the ACA Code of Ethics do not include a
statement reflecting the principle that:
A) Counselors have a right to protect clients from themselves if the clients
give evidence of being self-injurious.
B) Revelation of a counselor’s notes on a client should not be made to other
professionals unless the client has provided written permission or the
information has been subpoenaed.
C) Counselors should receive appropriate fees for services rendered
regardless of the situation or setting.
D) Improvement of the profession through professional involvement is a
responsibility of all counselors.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The codes emphasize appropriate fees but allow for pro bono work and
sliding scales; they do not require fees in all situations.
2. A state does not yet have counselor licensure. In a presentation to a civic
club about licensure benefits, you note that:
A) Licensure automatically entitles counselors to third-party payments.
B) Some professional groups (e.g., psychologists) have opposed counselor
licensure despite increased need for mental health services.
C) State licensure laws have existed for over 40 years, but only recently
have a majority of states passed them.
D) Licensure protects the public by restricting the term “counselor” to
graduates of counselor education programs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Psychologists and other groups have historically opposed counselor
licensure, while the need for services has grown.
1
, 3. A client has concluded counseling with another counselor and now comes to
you. According to NBCC ethical standards, you should:
A) Proceed as with any new client.
B) Contact the other counselor to ask if it is appropriate.
C) Contact the other counselor to avoid covering the same topics.
D) Advise the client to continue with the other counselor.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Each new counseling relationship is independent; prior counseling does
not require contacting the previous counselor.
4. Your employer requires reporting all instances of child abuse. A client
alludes to possibly being a child abuser. You should:
A) Contact a lawyer; the policy violates fair trade laws.
B) Refer the client elsewhere; salary implies agreement with policies.
C) Inform the client of the policy and let the client decide how to proceed.
D) Contact a consultant and follow their advice.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Informed consent requires disclosing the reporting policy so the client
can make decisions.
5. A married couple seeks counseling for marital difficulties. One spouse
reports being a new active member of AA. You should:
A) Investigate AA’s activities and continue counseling if they do not include
counseling.
B) Terminate with that spouse but continue with the other.
C) Offer to co-counsel with AA staff.
D) Refer both spouses to AA.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AA is a support group, not counseling; you may continue as long as
there is no dual relationship conflict.
6. A clergy member calls asking for your evaluation of a former client’s
spiritual values for theological school admission. You should:
2
, A) Respond orally with no record and no attribution.
B) Inform the caller you cannot divulge whether a person is or was a client
without permission.
C) Call the former client for permission before giving opinions.
D) Seek supervisor guidance on what information is permissible.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality prohibits confirming or denying client status or sharing
information without written consent.
7. A potential employer calls asking for your opinion on a client’s job
suitability. Under which condition may you provide information without
violating ethics?
A) When the client will not get the job otherwise.
B) When your information would ensure the client gets the job.
C) When in your judgment the information would enhance the client’s
chances.
D) None of the above.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Client permission is required before releasing any information to an
employer.
8. As applied to professional licensure, “reciprocity” means:
A) One licensing agency accepts another’s standards as sufficient.
B) A licensed counselor may perform the functions of a psychologist.
C) Certification is synonymous with licensure.
D) Graduation from an accredited program automatically qualifies for
licensure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reciprocity means one state honors another state’s licensure
requirements.
9. The publication likely to have the largest number of current research articles
on the counseling process is:
3
, A) Journal of Counseling Psychology
B) Review of Educational Research
C) Journal of Consulting and Abnormal Psychology
D) Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Journal of Counseling Psychology focuses specifically on
counseling process research.
10.According to NBCC and ACA ethics, when should a counselor try to
persuade a client to report knowledge of a crime?
A) When there is imminent danger to others
B) When there is a crime in progress
C) After the crime
D) Never
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Imminent danger creates a duty to warn and protect potential victims.
11.Third-party reimbursement is a term pertinent to:
A) Transactional analysis
B) Behavioral therapy
C) Insurance practices
D) Veterans’ educational programs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Third-party reimbursement refers to insurance companies paying for
services.
12.In the late 1970s, AACD (now ACA) focused heavily on credentialing,
leading to the formation of the:
A) CCMHC
B) NBCC
C) CACREP
D) APGA
4
