In 1982, which body began offering generic certification for counselors?

• A. National Board for Certified Counselors
• B. American Counseling Association
• C. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• D. National Academy for Certified Mental Health Counselors

Answer: (A)

The key idea is the rise of a national, portable credential for counselors. The National Board for Certified Counselors began offering a generic, nationwide certification for counselors in 1982, creating a credential that travels with clinicians across states and settings. This NCC credential set a consistent standard of competence and ethics that complements state licensure, rather than being tied to a single state's requirements. The American Counseling Association is mainly a professional association, CACREP accredits counseling programs rather than certifying individuals, and the other body listed isn’t recognized as a certifying organization. So, the National Board for Certified Counselors is the correct source of that 1982 generic certification.