To start your own counseling practice you will need to get your license from the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). The NCE is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). People who clear the NCE license exam get their counseling licenses along with the Certified Mental Health Counselor (CMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).