Which agency is the primary national voluntary certification agency for the counseling profession?

The National Board for Certified Counselors is recognized as the primary national voluntary certification agency for the counseling profession. This organization is focused on promoting and supporting the counseling profession through its certification processes, which validate the skills and knowledge of counselors. Becoming certified by this board is a mark of professionalism and indicates that an individual has met specific requirements, including education, experience, and ethical standards.

In contrast, the American Counseling Association is a professional organization that provides resources, advocacy, and support for counselors but does not serve as a certification agency. The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision primarily focuses on the education and supervision aspects of counseling, and the American Psychological Association is more centered on psychology and psychologists rather than on counseling as a distinct profession. Therefore, the National Board for Certified Counselors plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining certification standards specific to counselors.