Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)

The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) is an exit exam that is designed to help test takers synthesize their learning about counseling and to ensure that test takers have a thorough understanding of professional attitudes, skills, and knowledge related to the eight (8) common–core areas defined by CACREP’S Standards for Preparation. The exit exam is also used to assess counseling curriculum strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Preparation Resources

While CCE does not offer an official study guide for the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), there is a list of textbook resources frequently used in CACREP-accredited counselor preparation programs. The list of resources can be found at CPCE Textbook Guide.

Test Format

The CPCE is a knowledge-based exam that consists of approximately 160 items with 20 items per CACREP area. Test takers will have four (4) hours to complete the test.

The exam will cover 8 core curriculum areas of the CPCE which includes the following:

Test Dates

*Students must have permission from the UCF Counselor Education Program in order to test on the medical test date or the retake test date.

Registration Procedures

1. Test takers who believe they qualify for additional time or the use of Zoom Text for testing accommodations must submit written documentation of a documented disability to the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to make accommodated testing arrangements at least two weeks prior to their scheduled test date. Visit the SAS website for more information at www.sas.sdes.ucf.edu.
2. Register with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE). Click here to go to the CPCE registration link and fill out the required information. Complete this registration 7 business days before testing to allow sufficient processing time.
   1. Once you complete the link above, you will receive an “Authorization to Test” email from Pearson within 7 business days. (*Be sure to check your spam and junk folders.) The email will contain your candidate ID number.
3. Register with Pearson VUE. AFTER you receive the “Authorization to Test” email from Pearson VUE, go to their website to create an account.
   1. **IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM PEARSON VUE, please contact CCE at
      cpce@cce‐global.org. DO NOT CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Pearson VUE until you have your Candidate ID number.
4. Register with the University Testing Center (UTC).
   1. Review University Testing Center’s policies.
   2. Submit payment and complete registration online.
   3. After completing the registration process, check your email for the test registration confirmation sent to you by RegisterBlast. The test registration confirmation is required and must be presented on test day to be admitted to take your exam.

Test Day

• Review the COVID-19 policies and information prior to arriving on test day.

• Report Location: Report to the UCF/University Testing Center at 4297 Andromeda Loop N., Orlando, FL 32816. The UTC office is located on the first floor in Howard Phillips Hall, room 106. This building is located next to the Library and the Reflecting Pond. Howard Phillips Hall is building #14 on the campus map. If you get lost finding our building, please call our front desk at 407-823-5109.

• Arrival Time: Test takers are asked to arrive 15-minutes (we strongly recommend 30-minutes) prior to their scheduled appointment time. Test takers arriving more than 15-minutes late may not be admitted and will forfeit any costs paid.

• Identification Policy: Test takers are required to present one (1) primary form of government-issued identification that includes their photograph and signature. For additional details on our acceptable ID policy, please navigate to the Acceptable IDs page.

Retake Policy

Test takers who do not pass the exam the first time will be able to re-take the exam during the current semester. The retake will involve the entire exam and the test taker is responsible for reapplying and repaying for the exam.

In the event a test takers does not pass the comprehensive examination the second time, he/she will work directly with a Counselor Education faculty for additional retake options.

Results

CPCE scores will be available on their Pearson VUE account approximately 1-hour after the exam is completed.

The minimum passing score for the CPCE is 90 plus or minus the standard error of the mean. This score may be adjusted from time to time in response to national needs.