Center for Credentialing & Education

What Center for Credentialing & Education does

The Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) is a not-for-profit credentialing and assessment organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina. It issues six voluntary professional credentials (ACS, BCC, BC-TMH, GCDF, HSP/HS-BCP) and administers a portfolio of standardized examinations (NCE, NCMHCE, CPCE, HSCE, TMHE, BCCE, HS-BCPE), with the NCE and NCMHCE delivered on behalf of its affiliate NBCC and used for counselor licensure in all 50 states plus DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Its technology stack is built around psychometric methodologies (Item Response Theory, Classical Test Theory, DIF analyses, standard setting) and operates through a centralized Credentialing Gateway portal (my.cce-global.org) for applications and credential management, with exam delivery handled by Pearson VUE across 3,500+ test centers and via OnVUE online proctoring. CCE also offers business support services (including full board management for licensing bodies such as the NCBLCMHC) and licensure education reviews for several states.

CCE monetizes through four principal streams: recurring annual maintenance fees on 25,000+ active credential holders (subscription-like), per-sitting examination administration fees for state licensure candidates and graduate programs (one-time), contracted business support services to state licensing boards and associations (professional services), and licensure education review fees paid by state boards and candidates. Pricing is partially disclosed, with CPCE administration priced at $75 per student for the on-campus APB format and $150 per student for Pearson VUE CBT or OnVUE online proctoring, while broader credential fee schedules are gated behind the Credentialing Gateway. Its go-to-market is sales-led and increasingly self-service through the online portal, with distribution amplified by a Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP) network and direct relationships with all 50 state counselor licensure boards, 400+ graduate counseling programs, and professional associations such as NCDA, NOHS, and AMHCA.

Name

Center for Credentialing & Education

Legal name

Center for Credentialing & Education, Inc.

Website

https://cce-global.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Center for Credentialing & Education is a not-for-profit organization that issues professional credentials (ACS, BCC, BC-TMH, GCDF, HSP) and administers licensure examinations (NCE, NCMHCE, CPCE, HSCE) for mental health counselors, human services professionals, and state licensing boards across all U.S. states and 16 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Credentialing Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Professional credentialing services
• Psychometric assessment development
• Licensure examination administration
• Professional certification programs
• Association management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Credentialing Fees: CCE generates revenue through fees associated with credential applications, maintenance, and renewal. Candidates pay application fees to obtain credentials such as ACS, BCC, BC-TMH, GCDF, HSBCP, and HSP. Credential holders pay annual maintenance fees.
2. Examination Administration Fees: Revenue from administering standardized examinations (NCE, NCMHCE, CPCE, HSCE, BCCE, TMHE) for state licensure and national certification. Fees are charged per examination sitting.
3. Business Support Services: CCE provides contracted management services to associations, state licensing boards, and credentialing bodies including board support, credentials management, licensure services, technology management, conference and event planning. These services generate fees from institutional clients.
4. Licensure Education Review Services: CCE manages licensure candidate transcript review and validation for several states, completing entire educational reviews for candidates and state boards, generating revenue from application processing fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CCE is a not-for-profit credentialing organization that develops, administers, and manages professional credentials and standardized examinations for the mental health, coaching, telemental health, career development, and human services fields. It administers the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) on behalf of its affiliate NBCC, and offers business support services to state licensing boards, associations, and credentialing bodies.

Product overview

CCE operates as a not-for-profit organization offering a portfolio of six voluntary professional credentials (ACS, BCC, BC-TMH, GCDF, HSP/HS-BCP), comprehensive assessment and examination services (CPCE, HSCE, NCE, NCMHCE, TMHE, BCCE, HS-BCPE), and business support services. The credentialing programs are complemented by a centralized Credentialing Gateway platform for applications and management. CCE also provides exam development services using psychometric methodologies (IRT, CTT), jurisprudence examinations for multiple states, licensure education reviews, contracted management for licensing boards, and an approved training provider (RCTP) network. The organization works globally across 16 countries with assessment administration through Pearson VUE at over 3,500 testing centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CCE Credentialing Gateway: Online portal for credential holders and applicants to manage their credentials, register for exams, and access their credentials.
• Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP)

Products and services

• Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) The ACS credential identifies mental health professionals who have met national professional supervision standards, promoting clinical supervisor professional identity, visibility, and accountability. Fourteen states recognize the ACS as a supervision credential of choice.
• Board Certified Coach (BCC) The BCC credential is a mark of distinction for credential holders demonstrating professional coaching competency standards established by CCE and subject matter experts. BCC holders have met educational and training requirements, passed a psychometrically sound coach-specific examination, and obtained field experience.
• Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) The BC-TMH credential is designed for mental health professionals seeking best practices and credibility for offering safe and effective telemental health services. Developed in conjunction with thought leaders in the telemental health field.
• Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) The GCDF credential was developed by CCE in collaboration with the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee. It is the first and most notable national credential in the field of career development, with over 30,000 individuals credentialed globally in 23 countries.
• Human Services Practitioner (HSP) The HSP credential recognizes individuals demonstrating foundational knowledge, skills, and ethical standards required to support individuals, families, and communities in human services settings. Designed for emerging and early-career professionals.
• Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) A comprehensive examination used by over 400 college and university counseling programs to assess master's program students' knowledge. Provides psychometric standards, objective assessment views, and comparative strength/weakness feedback. Offered via Anywhere Proctored Browser (APB), Computer-Based Testing (CBT), and OnVUE formats.
• Human Services Comprehensive Examination (HSCE) The HSCE assesses a student's understanding of and ability to apply cited competencies, theories, knowledge, values, ethical standards, and skills in human services. Contains 108 multiple-choice questions across nine content domains. Available starting October 2024.
• National Counselor Examination (NCE) A 200-item multiple-choice examination assessing knowledge, skills, and abilities for effective counseling services. Requirement for counselor licensure in many states and one of two examination options for National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification.
• National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) Designed to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities for effective clinical mental health counseling services. A licensure requirement in many states and fulfills the examination requirement for Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) specialty certification.
• TeleMental Health Examination (TMHE) The TMHE is administered as part of the BC-TMH certification process, verifying a candidate's knowledge of core telemental health best practices. Composed of 12 case studies with 10 multiple-choice questions each (120 items total; 100 scored, 20 unscored). Three-hour examination covering competency areas including orientation, protocols, implementation, compliance, ethics, and crisis management.
• Board Certified Coach Examination (BCCE) The BCCE is administered through Pearson VUE either in person at test centers or online via OnVUE platform. Candidates can test up to three times during a 2-year application window with a minimum 90-day waiting period between examinations.
• Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner Examination (HS-BCPE) The HS-BCPE is administered through Pearson VUE either in person at test centers or online via OnVUE platform. Candidates can test up to three times during a 2-year application window with a minimum 90-day waiting period between examinations.
• CCE Credentialing Gateway A centralized online portal for credential applications, exam registration, score reports, and credential maintenance. Candidates create accounts to register for exams, schedule appointments with Pearson VUE, and manage their credentialing process.
• Exam Development Services CCE offers advanced psychometric and exam development services including reliability analyses, item level analyses, Item Response Theory (IRT), Classical Test Theory (CTT), job analyses, test blueprint development, construct development, item writing management, item banking, and Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analyses.
• Business Support and Contracted Management Services CCE provides education reviews and full-service management to associations, state licensing boards, and credentialing bodies in mental health and human services fields for more than 20 years. Services include board support, credentials management, licensure services, technology management, conference and event planning.
• Licensure Education Reviews CCE manages licensure candidate transcript review and validation for several states including Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, and US Virgin Islands. Reviews educational equivalency applications for LPC, MFT, addiction counselors, and psychologists.
• CCE Ethics Program CCE maintains ethics codes for all credentials (ACS, BCC, GCDF, HS-BCP), disclosure requirements, and ethics case procedures. Reviews credential holder and applicant disclosures regarding criminal convictions, disciplinary matters, and professional conduct.
• Credential Holder Search Directory An online directory allowing users to search for CCE credential holders by state or country. Search can be filtered by credential type and city of practice for BC-TMH, ACS, BCC, DCC, GCDF, and HS-BCP holders.
• Registered Credential Training Provider (RCTP) Program RCTPs are approved training providers developing programs for professionals in clinical supervision, coaching, telemental health, or career counseling. RCTPs must complete a two-part application process and display their unique RCTP number on marketing materials.
• Jurisprudence Examinations CCE designs and delivers jurisprudence examinations measuring an individual's mastery of knowledge and skills regulated by state law. Current offerings include Arizona Tutorials and Arkansas, Maryland, Mississippi, and Tennessee Jurisprudence Assessments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 college and university counseling programs use CCE's CPCE for comprehensive examinations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationCCE has contracted with Pearson VUE to assist with secure administration of computer and internet-based exams at more than 3,500 testing centers domestically and internationally. Pearson VUE provides the testing platform, test center locations, OnVUE online proctoring, candidate scheduling, and score reporting services.
• NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCE is an affiliate organization of NBCC. NBCC developed and owns the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), which CCE administers on NBCC's behalf. Both examinations are used for licensure in all 50 states.
• NBCC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCE partners with the NBCC Foundation to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships and awards to CCE credential holders annually.
• EBCC (European Board for Certified Counselors)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCE maintains a connection with the European Board for Certified Counselors (EBCC) as part of its global credentialing ecosystem.
• NOHS (National Organization for Human Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Human Services Comprehensive Examination (HSCE) work is supported by the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) and is consistent with standards set by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE).
• NCDA (National Career Development Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe GCDF credential was developed by CCE in collaboration with the National Career Development Association (NCDA) and the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee in the mid-1990s. NCDA is also a CCE-approved training provider for the 120-hour GCDF core competency training.
• AMHCA (American Mental Health Counselors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMHCA initially developed the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential. NBCC acquired the credential in the early 1990s and developed the NCMHCE to anchor the certification.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): NBCC is CCE's affiliate organization and owner of the NCE and NCMHCE examinations that CCE administers. Both organizations operate in the counselor credentialing space with overlapping missions and a deeply intertwined governance and operational relationship.
• International Coaching Federation (ICF): ICF is the dominant global coaching credentialing body, offering credentials that compete directly with CCE's Board Certified Coach (BCC). Both serve professional coaches seeking competency-based credentials.
• Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC): CRCC certifies rehabilitation counselors through the CRC credential, operating a similar competency-based certification model for an adjacent counseling specialty. Comparable in scale and mission to CCE's counseling-focused credentials.

Broad incumbents

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): ASHA administers the CCC credential for speech-language pathologists and audiologists, a larger-scale member-based professional certification organization. Comparable in operating a credentialing body tightly coupled to a profession's licensure ecosystem.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): ETS is a large-scale assessment organization with deep psychometric capabilities (similar IRT/CTT methodologies) used for high-stakes examinations including GRE and Praxis. Comparable on the psychometric test development services side of CCE's business.
• ACT, Inc. ACT operates large-scale credentialing and assessment programs (ACT, WorkKeys) with sophisticated psychometric methodologies. Comparable as a broader assessment and credentialing organization with national reach.
• NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy): NASBA administers the Uniform CPA Examination through a multi-state regulatory consortium model similar to how CCE administers licensure examinations across all 50 states. Comparable in the regulated profession examination administration space.

Others

• Prometric: Prometric is a direct competitor to Pearson VUE in computer-based test delivery across a global network of testing centers. Relevant as the alternative infrastructure provider CCE could theoretically contract with for exam delivery.

Emerging players

• National Commission for Health and Social Care Professions (varies): Specialty certification bodies in allied health and human services (e.g., CCMC for case managers, NAADAC for addiction professionals) compete in adjacent credentialing categories. Comparable in offering voluntary professional credentials to human services practitioners.

Regional players

• Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE): CSHSE sets the educational standards that align with CCE's HSCE examination. Both organizations serve the human services education and credentialing ecosystem, with CCE's HSCE being built on CSHSE standards.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Credentialing & Education