This study was conceived in the winter of 1984, in response to the profession's efforts to achieve counselor licensure. Licensure of counselors brought about the concern of what defines the practice of a professional counselor. The study had its origins in two sources: (a) the National Board for Certified Counselors' and staff members' functioning and (b) a commitment by NBCC to strengthen the credentialing of counselors and incur the expense to conduct a study of this magnitude.