(1) Applicants for licensure as a mental health counselor must pass an examination administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Applicants who pass the National Certification Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), as administered by the NBCC, meet the examination requirements to be licensed as mental health counselors. The department of health must receive passing exam results directly from NBCC before licensure can be granted.

(2) The department of health shall accept the passing score established by the NBCC for licensed mental health counselor examinations.