Credentials and Certification Pathways

The National Board of Executive Function Certification (NBEFC™) awards professional credentials to qualified individuals who meet education, training, and examination requirements established by the Board. These credentials represent verified competence and integrity in executive function education, coaching, and clinical application.

All candidates must complete an approved training and preparation program before sitting for the NBEFC™ Certification Examination.

Credential Designations

The Board currently awards four professional designations:

NBEFC-C | Credentialed Executive Function Coach

Awarded to individuals who have completed the NBEFC™ training and preparation program and passed the Board Examination.
This designation is appropriate for professionals who provide coaching, skills training, or executive function support outside of licensed educational or clinical roles.
Credential holders may include executive function coaches, performance coaches, and related practitioners.

NBEFC-E | Credentialed Executive Function Educator

Awarded to licensed or credentialed teachers, academic specialists, and educational professionals who provide executive function support in schools or educational settings.
Candidates must hold a degree in education or a related field and provide documentation of current or past teaching credentials.

NBEFC-T | Credentialed Executive Function Therapist

Awarded to licensed clinical professionals who integrate executive function support into therapy or counseling.
Candidates must hold an advanced degree in psychology, counseling, social work, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or a related mental-health field and provide proof of current licensure.

NBEFC-O | Credentialed Executive Function Organization

Awarded to schools, districts, clinics, hospitals, and professional organizations that demonstrate institutional commitment to executive-function support.
To qualify, organizations must credential at least five staff through NBEFC™ and document structured executive-function programming across their services.
For details, contact info@nbefc.org.

Certification Pathway

Step 1: Complete the Training and Preparation Program

All candidates begin with the NBEFC™ Core Certification Program, a 150-hour, board-aligned curriculum providing the education and preparation necessary for the official examination.

Program Fee: $1,875

Includes:

150+ hours of structured, board-aligned training
5 full practice exams drawn from a 400-question bank
Exam preparation materials
6 months of access to all course content
Accessibility features including captioning and text versions

Completion of this training (or an approved equivalent program, see the Alternative Pathway below) is required before submitting the NBEFC™ Application.

Step 2: Submit Application and Eligibility Verification

After completing training, candidates submit an official Application for Certification to verify eligibility, professional background, and appropriate credential pathway.

Application Fee: $675

Required for all applicants
Covers eligibility verification and administrative review
Includes two years of active NBEFC™ membership, activated upon certification

Applications must be approved by the Board before candidates are authorized to schedule the examination.

Step 3: Schedule the Examination

Once approved, candidates may purchase and schedule the NBEFC™ Certification Examination.

Exam Fee: $875

The exam is delivered online through the Board’s secure testing platform.
Format: Multiple-choice | Questions: 150 | Duration: 2.5 hours | Passing Score: 75 percent

Step 4: Retake Policy

Candidates who do not pass may retake the exam under these conditions:

Minimum 7-day waiting period between attempts
$375 retake fee per attempt
Up to 3 attempts within a 12-month period
After three unsuccessful attempts, candidates must re-enroll in the training program before reapplying.

Step 5: Earn Your Credential

Candidates who pass the examination are awarded one of the four NBEFC™ credentials (C, E, T, O).
Each credential holder receives a unique Credential ID and is listed in the NBEFC™ Public Registry.
Credential holders may use the official designation, digital badge, and registry link in professional materials, online profiles, and correspondence.

Alternative Educational Pathway

Professionals who have completed training through one of the Board-approved educational providers may qualify to sit for the NBEFC™ Certification Examination through the Alternative Pathway.

Eligibility requires verification that the prior curriculum aligns with NBEFC™ competency domains.

Approved Educational Providers – please go to our Educational Providers page.

Applicants must:

Submit verification of completion from one of the approved institutions.
Complete the NBEFC™ Application Process and pay the $675 Application Fee.
Pay a $150 Education Verification Fee for certification of their alternative training alignment.
Receive approval before scheduling the examination.

Exam Fee: $875

To apply through the Alternative Pathway, please contact info@nbefc.org for eligibility instructions.

Specialty Certifications

After earning the core NBEFC™ credential, professionals may pursue specialty tracks to expand their expertise.

Available specialty programs include:

ADHD Coach Certification: Strategies for attention, working memory, and self-regulation.
Autism Coach Certification: Tools for flexibility, planning, and social cognition.
Executive Leadership Certification: Application of executive-function principles in business and organizational settings.

Each specialty course is $925 and counts as 4 CEU toward required CEU hours for renewal.
Specialty courses may be completed immediately after certification or later to enhance professional scope.

Important: Specialty courses alone do not grant certification. Only individuals who have completed an approved training program and passed the NBEFC™ Examination may represent themselves as NBEFC-Certified.

Renewal of Credentials

NBEFC™ credentials are valid for two years.
To maintain certification, credential holders must:

Complete 4 CEU hours through NBEFC-approved continuing-education courses
Submit a $375 renewal fee
Agree to uphold the current Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

Upon renewal, certified professionals receive an updated certificate and continued listing in the Public Registry.

Public Registry and Verification

All certified professionals and organizations are listed in the NBEFC™ Public Registry.
Each listing includes:

Credential ID number
Credential designation (C, E, T, O)
Degree(s) and specialty certifications (if applicable)
Credential status (Active, Expired, Suspended, Revoked)

Employers, clients, and institutions may use the online Credential Lookup Tool to confirm the validity of credentials.

Misuse of Credentials

Credentials remain the property of the National Board of Executive Function Certification.
Unauthorized use of the NBEFC™ designation or misrepresentation of credential status may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation.

Fee Summary

Item	Fee	Details
NBEFC Certification Program (Training + Prep)	$1,875	150+ hours of instruction and exam preparation
Application Fee (required for all candidates)	$675	Eligibility verification + 2 years of membership upon certification
Certification Examination	$875	Purchased and scheduled after application approval
Education Verification Fee (Alternative Pathway only)	$150	Confirms curriculum alignment for approved provider graduates
Exam Retake	$375	Per attempt (after 7-day wait)
Renewal Fee (every 2 years)	$375	Requires 4 CEU hours through NBEFC
Specialty Program (optional)	$925	Available only after certification