Certification is issued by a non-governmental body, usually a professional organization and obtained by meeting certain criteria set by that organization. It suggests that a counselor has earned a level of professional competency. For example, the National Board of Certified Counselors (in cooperation with the American Counseling Association) issues the National Certified Counselor designation (NCC).
Similarly, the National Career Development Association offers the Master Career Counselor (MCC) and the Master Career Development Professional (MCDP) designations.
However, keep in mind that while certification can further a counselor’s growth and development, enhance his/her status within the profession, and help him/her get on preferred provider lists, it is licensure, not certification, which allows one to practice within a particular state. Certification, in and of itself, is of little value without licensure.
