CPCE · fees as of Oct 2026
CPCE exam cost, mode by mode
Each CPCE attempt costs $75 or $150 (Oct 2026), depending on the delivery mode: the on-campus APB session is the cheaper one, and a Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE costs more. Your program decides which modes it offers. There is no NBCC fee and no state board fee, because this is a program exam, not a licensure exam.
Start the CPCE practice test Exam facts
Updated Oct 30, 2026 · Not affiliated with NBCC, CCE, AMFTRB, CRCC, ACA or AAMFT.
- per attempt$75 or $150
- test center or onlineReschedule $50
- retake waitAfter 30 days (OnVUE 90)
Every CPCE fee
| Fact | Detail | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $75 on campus (APB); $150 at a Pearson VUE center or on OnVUE | CCE: Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) [1] | |
| Other fees | Reschedule $50 (test center or OnVUE, at least 24 hours ahead); each retake is a new fee | CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook, rev. Mar 25, 2025 (PDF) [2] | |
| Retakes | Two attempts in the 6-month window, the second at least 30 days after the first (90 days if you retest on OnVUE)Since Aug 1, 2023 an OnVUE retest waits 90 days; switching to a test center is allowed after 30. After a second fail, your program coordinator must approve a new authorization. | CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook, rev. Mar 25, 2025 (PDF) [2] | |
| Where you test | On campus through the Anywhere Proctored Browser (APB), at a Pearson VUE test center, or online through OnVUEYour program chooses the delivery modes it offers; paper is available only as an accommodation. | CCE: Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) · CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook, rev. Mar 25, 2025 (PDF) [1][2] | |
| When you can test | Within a 6-month authorization window; APB dates are set by your school | CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook, rev. Mar 25, 2025 (PDF) [2] |
Facts checked Oct 30, 2026 against the testing organizations; sources are listed under Source notes.
Who you pay, and when
The fee is paid to Pearson VUE by Visa, Mastercard or American Express after the Authorization to Test; CCE collects no payments (handbook, p. 10). A fee paid with a voucher has no cash value, so nothing is refunded.
If your program offers both modes, the choice is money against control: the campus session costs less but runs on the date the school sets, while a test center or OnVUE lets you pick the slot.
What can raise the bill
- A fail. A retake is a fresh registration with a fresh fee, so two attempts at a test center cost twice the single price.
- Moving a test-center or online appointment. It must be done at least 24 hours ahead and carries a $50 fee. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead instead and you get a refund in 3–5 days (handbook, p. 20).
- Missing or wasting the appointment. A no-show, a late arrival or a broken testing rule costs you the fee (handbook, p. 21).
- A lapsed window. If the window closes before you test, the coordinator has to ask for an extension.
The next bill: the licensure exam
This exam ends with graduation, and the license comes with its own costs. Next comes the licensure exam your state requires: the NCE, at $275 as a state board prints it (Virginia, Oct 2026), or the NCMHCE, plus state application and license fees, which vary from board to board. The full NCE bill is on NCE cost; board fees are on licensure requirements by state, and the optional national credential on NCC (National Certified Counselor).
Other pages on this exam
- CPCEThe counseling master's exit exam: 8 CACREP areas, format, fee and who sets the cut
- CPCE practice testQuestions in the outline's even split over the eight CACREP areas, every option explained
- CPCE exam factsRegistration, delivery modes, format, results and retakes
- CPCE passing scoreNo national cut: what the raw score report shows, how programs set the pass mark, retakes
- CPCE study guideEight equal areas, CCE's 2014 textbook list and what has aged
Source notes
- [1]CCE: Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) cce-global.org · checked Oct 30, 2026
- [2]CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook, rev. Mar 25, 2025 (PDF) cce-global.org · checked Oct 30, 2026
Paying for the CPCE
What does a second CPCE attempt cost?
The same fee again: a retake is a new registration, $75 or $150 depending on the mode, and you can book it after 30 days (OnVUE 90).
Does my state board or NBCC charge anything for the CPCE?
No. The only fees are Pearson VUE's exam and rescheduling fees; boards charge when you apply for a license.
Can I get my CPCE fee back?
Yes, if you cancel in time. Cancel a test-center or OnVUE appointment at least 24 hours ahead and the fee is refunded automatically within 3–5 days. An on-campus (APB) appointment must be canceled before the 6-month window ends, and the cancellation email must reach CCE before Pearson VUE refunds the fee.