Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination

Keith Cates

“I absolutely believe that our use of the CPCE has benefited our counseling programs.”

Dr. Keith Cates, Clinical Director of Counselor Education, Troy University

CCE no longer administers CPCE exams using pencil and paper, except for approved accommodations.

Over 400 college and university counseling programs across the country use CCE’s Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

Counseling programs benefit from the CPCE in various ways.

The CPCE:

Provides a master’s program comprehensive exam that meets high psychometric standards.
Gives programs an objective view of the knowledge level of their students.
Allows programs to examine student functioning in various curricular areas.
Promotes longitudinal self-study.
Compares a program’s results to national data.
Stimulates student integration of knowledge learned in separate courses.
Gives students comparative strength and weakness feedback.

Download our the CPCE content outline

CPCE Study Materials

While CCE does not offer an official study guide for the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), we do provide a list of textbook resources frequently used in CACREP-accredited counselor preparation programs.

The list of resources can be found at CPCE Textbook Guide.

Online Testing

University and college counseling programs have the option to offer the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) as:

Anywhere Proctored Browser (APB)
Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

APB administrations can be delivered on any school campus via desktop or laptop computers that meet specific system specifications. With this mode of administration, the examination is delivered via the Internet using a secure browser. This option is appealing because it’s less expensive per student ($75) and allows the most flexibility. Schools decide the date, time and location for their administration(s), thereby giving students the opportunity to test as a cohort in the comfort of their programs. Complete the order form to register your school for an APB administration.

CBT administrations can only be delivered at an approved Pearson VUE facility. This option is appealing because it allows students more flexibility with scheduling and excludes the school from the exam administration process. Although this mode of testing is more expensive per student ($150), it ensures a standardized testing experience.

1) I will be a CPCE exam proctor. What do I need to do?

Answer: You need to create your proctor account and password with Pearson VUE. The day before the exam, check your password and test dates for accuracy through Navigator.

2) What are the requirements to serve as a proctor?

Answer: The proctor must be affiliated with the school. However, staff, faculty, students, and graduate assistants associated with the school’s counseling or psychology departments are strictly prohibited.

3) How do students access the test?

Answer: On the day of the exam, go to Pearson VUE and click on “I am an exam proctor.” Under number four, click on either “Start Windows Test Process” or “Start Mac Test Process,” depending on your operating system. The CCE Sign In page will appear and the student will enter their username and password.

4) I never received an email from Pearson VUE to set up my proctor account. How do I get this?

Answer: If the email is not in your junk/spam folder, request a proctor reset by contacting us at cpce@cce-global.org. In the subject field, please list ‘Proctor Reset’. In the body of your email, specify the nature of your request (proctor reset), and indicate your name and school.

5) Are students allowed to bring anything into the test room?

Answer: Students are permitted to bring their photo ID only, unless they have prior approval or special accommodations. If other items are brought into the testing room, they must be kept in a designated area on the proctor’s desk at the front of the room. Students may not access these items (including papers or cell phones) during the exam.

6) The student’s score report did not print. What do we do?

Answer: The student can log into their Pearson VUE account to view and print their score report. Scores are available within 24 hours of the examination.

7) The score report flashed on the screen after the student tested, then disappeared. Were their responses and scores saved?

Answer: Yes, there is a record of their examination. The student can log into their Pearson VUE account to view and print their score report later. Scores are available within 24 hours of the examination.

8) A student is testing right now but we need to move them to a different computer. How do we do this?

Answer: Stop the exam by holding the ctrl+alt+delete keys simultaneously. After the student is moved, they should sign back into the exam by entering the necessary credentials (student first, then proctor). The student’s exam will continue from the item and time that was displayed prior to closing the exam.

9) I have a student who was approved for additional time but it is not showing on the computer. What do we do?

Answer: Additional time will display on the timer when the examination begins (after the tutorial, when the first item is presented).

10) A student does not remember their username and password. What should they do?

Answer: Go to Pearson VUE and click on “Forgot my username” or “Forgot my password”. Pearson VUE will send reset instructions to the email address on file. If additional assistance is required, contact a Pearson VUE customer service representative at +1 866.904.4432.

11) We are having technical issues with Pearson VUE and cannot begin the exam. Should the students wait to test?

Answer: You may give students the option to wait. If there is no resolution after 30 minutes, we recommend rescheduling the test for another date. If students choose to wait, they cannot later appeal their exam score for reasons associated with the delay.

12) My password has expired. How do I reset it?

Answer: Go to Pearson VUE's login page, select “forgot password”, then enter your username. Pearson VUE will send you an email to the address on file so you can reset your password. If additional assistance is required, contact a Pearson VUE customer service representative at +1 866.904.4432.

13) I need to proctor the exam on a date not listed on the order form. What do I do?

Answer: Contact CCE at cpce@cce-global.org to confirm the administration date.

14) How do I check to make sure we are not giving an exam on a Pearson VUE outage date?

Answer: Go to Pearson VUE. Select Outage Schedule under the “Having Issues?” heading.

15) We have a test date scheduled on a Pearson VUE outage date. Are we required to reschedule the exam?

Answer: If your exam will end by 5 p.m. CST, the outage will not impact you. Otherwise, the exam session should be rescheduled.

Helpful Numbers:

Pearson VUE customer service: +1 866.904.4432; open Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST

Pearson VUE technical support: +1 866.377.1493; open 24/7

Pearson VUE exam accommodations: +1 800.466.0450, option 3

CCE: +1 336.217.4111, open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST

1) How do I take the CPCE?

Answer: Your University must approve you to take the CPCE. Please contact your school’s CPCE program coordinator to receive details about testing.

2) Are there additional steps after I register with my school to take the CPCE?

Answer: Yes. You must register with CCE and Pearson VUE. Contact your school’s CPCE program coordinator to receive details about completing the registration process.

3) I completed the CCE registration and waited the required seven business days, but have not received my authorization to test email/candidate ID number. What should I do?

Answer: Email CCE at cpce@cce-global.org and provide your name and the date you completed the registration. One of our team members will assist you with next steps. Do not complete the CCE registration again, as this may delay your registration process.

4) My name, email address, or date of birth is incorrect in my Pearson VUE account. How do I correct the information?

Answer: Only CCE can update your personal information. Email us at cpce@cce-global.org to request an update. Include the following in your email: candidate ID number, name, and detailed instructions for correcting the error.

5) How do I request exam accommodations?

Answer: To receive accommodations you must submit documentation from your school’s disabilities office 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.

6) I have been approved for exam accommodations by my school’s disabilities office and submitted my documentation to CCE. What do I do now?

Answer: You will receive an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE, listing your approved accommodations. When you receive this email, call the Pearson Accommodations Team at +1 800.466.0450 and select option three to register and pay for your exam. Students testing with accommodations must call Pearson VUE to complete their registration and cannot register or pay online.

7) Where can I find the private access code?

Answer: The CPCE does not use a private access code.

8) My eligibility has expired, but I still need to test. What do I do?

Answer: Contact your school’s CPCE program coordinator; they must authorize CCE to grant an extension.

9) I don’t have any remaining attempts on my current authorization, but I need to retest. What do I do?

Answer: Contact your school’s CPCE program coordinator; they must authorize CCE to grant an additional authorization.

10) Can my CCE registration process be expedited?

Answer: Registration processing cannot be expedited. If you do not receive your Authorization to Test email prior to your scheduled examination, contact your program coordinator to determine alternative testing options.

11) I do not remember my username and password. How do I obtain these?

Answer: Go to Pearson VUE CPCE and click on “Forgot my username” or “Forgot my password”. Pearson VUE will email you instructions to reset your login information. If additional assistance is required, contact a Pearson VUE customer service representative at +1 866.904.4432.

12) I finished my test on campus and my score report did not print. How can I see my scores?

Answer: To view your score, log into your Pearson VUE account and select the option to view/print your score report. Scores are available to view within 24 hours of your examination.

13) I tested at a Pearson VUE test center and did not receive my score report. What do I do?

Answer: You can call Pearson VUE customer service at +1 866.904.4432 to request receipt of your score report via email. Please have your candidate ID number ready when you call.

14) I need to retest and have a candidate ID number already. How do I do this?

Answer: Log into your Pearson VUE account at Pearson VUE CPCE, confirm your eligibility will not expire before you test, and then complete the remaining registration steps.

15) Is it possible to take my exam at home?

Answer: No, you must take the exam in a proctored environment on campus or at a Pearson VUE facility.

Pearson VUE customer service is open Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST. (Phone: +1 866.904.4432)

CPCE Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination

CCE no longer administers CPCE exams using pencil and paper, except for approved accommodations.

CPCE Study Materials

Online Testing

CPCE FAQs

Helpful Numbers:

CPCE Brochure

➥ Download our brochure to learn more about the CPCE