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 in the 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 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

*All students should plan to test on the first test date, usually on a Saturday. The medical test date is for test accommodations like extended time, zoom text, etc. You must have permission from the UCF Counselor Education Program in order to test on the medical test date. Students needing to attend the retake test date will be notified by the Counselor Education program staff and will register and pay for a second test.

Testing Costs

The cost for the CPCE exam is paid in two parts. The $75.00 exam cost is paid directly to PearsonVue during exam registration. The proctoring cost for the CPCE exam is $45.00 and is paid to UTC via RegisterBlast during the final appointment registration step. All proctoring costs paid to the University Testing Center are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Registration Procedures

1. Testing accommodations (if needed):
   • If you believe you qualify for testing accommodations like additional time or the use of Zoom Text, you must submit written documentation of a disability to the office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at least two weeks prior to your scheduled test date to make accommodated testing arrangements. You must submit the accommodations letter provided by SAS to cpce@cce-global.org. The supporting letter(s) must be on the school’s letterhead, list your name and specific, approved accommodations, and be signed and dated. Do not register with Pearson VUE or pay for your exam until you receive an authorization to test email confirming your accommodations from Pearson VUE.
   • More information about accessibility accommodations is available at www.sas.sdes.ucf.edu.
2. Registration with the Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE):
   • You will go to the CPCE registration link here and fill out the required information at least 2 weeks before testing to allow sufficient processing time.
   • Next, an “Authorization to Test” email will be sent from Pearson within 7 business days. (*Check spam and junk folders.) The email will contain the candidate ID number required for the next step.
3. Pearson VUE Registration:
   • AFTER receiving the “Authorization to Test” email from Pearson VUE, go to the Pearson VUE website to create an account using the Candidate ID you received in the email. **IF AN EMAIL IS NOT RECEIVED FROM PEARSON VUE, you should contact CCE at
     cpce@cce‐global.org. YOU SHOULD NOT CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Pearson VUE without a candidate ID number.
   • After creating your account, register for your CPCE exam following the steps on screen and pay the $75.00 exam cost.
4. Registration with the University Testing Center (UTC):
   • Review University Testing Center’s policies.
   • Complete registration online, including payment of the $45.00 proctoring cost.
   • After completion of the registration process, you will receive a test registration confirmation email sent by RegisterBlast. The test registration confirmation is required and must be presented on test day.

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. Call the UTC front desk at 407-823-5109 for directions if needed.

• Arrival Time: You should arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Test takers arriving more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted and will forfeit any costs paid.

• Identification Policy: You are required to present two forms of original (no copies or photos), valid (unexpired) IDs; one form as a primary ID (government issued with name, photo and signature) and one form as a secondary ID (with name and signature or name and recent photo). The first and last name that you used to register must match exactly the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day. Additional details on the acceptable ID policy are available on the Acceptable IDs page.

Retake Policy

*Effective June 2023: If you do not pass the exam the first time, you will be able to retake the exam per the posted retake schedule, but you may test no more than twice during a 6-month period. The retake will include the entire exam and you are responsible for re-applying and re-paying for the exam.

If you do not pass the comprehensive examination the second time, you will work directly with a Counselor Education faculty for additional retake options.

Results

CPCE scores will be available on your 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.