CPCE Exam Content Outline Explained
Published 2026-10-31 · Facts and text checked 2026-11-02 · Questions from our CPCE study guide · Reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer
The CPCE content outline is the eight CACREP core areas, each with 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest): ethics and professional orientation, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment and testing, and research and program evaluation, for 160 questions in total.
Because every area has the same weight, use the outline as a checklist: you need a working knowledge of all eight, not depth in two.
1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
2. Social and Cultural Diversity
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
Practice: Social and Cultural Diversity questions
3. Human Growth and Development
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
Practice: Human Development Theories questions, Lifespan Development questions
4. Career Development
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
Practice: Career Development questions
5. Counseling and Helping Relationships
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
6. Group Counseling and Group Work
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
7. Assessment and Testing
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
Practice: Assessment and Testing questions
8. Research and Program Evaluation
- 20 questions (17 scored, 3 pretest)
Source: CCE CPCE Candidate Handbook (checked 2026-10-16). Each of the eight CACREP areas has 20 questions: 17 scored and 3 unscored pretest questions you cannot tell apart.
| Fact | Value and source |
|---|---|
| Exam body | Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE)CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook (revised March 25, 2025) · checked 2026-10-10 |
| Number of questions | 160 questions (136 scored, 24 unscored)CCE: CPCE Candidate Handbook (revised March 25, 2025) · checked 2026-10-10 |
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