TL;DR

• Each state’s Department of Education establishes the requirements to practice as a school counselor in the state’s public schools.
• Most states require a Master’s Degree to be a licensed or certified school counselor.
• States require prospective school counselors to pass either licensure or certification exams, such as the Praxis School Counseling exam or the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
• Currently practicing school counselors are also expected to meet continuing education requirements and uphold professional and ethical standards.

School counselors support and guide students towards academic growth, career exploration, and social-emotional awareness. Their roles include providing mental health support and implementing programs across the school, making it one of the most dynamic positions in education.

Each state has its own specific requirements for becoming a school counselor in public schools. Generally, most states require a Master’s degree and either licensure or certification. See below for details on school counselor requirements.

State Requirements for School Counselors

The most current information on states’ requirements can be found on each state’s Department of Education website. Although specifics vary, the majority of states require school counselors to hold a Master’s degree, pursue specialized training, and pass a licensure or certification exam.

• Bachelor’s Degree. A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline is the first step in becoming a school counselor. Education and psychology are common degrees for individuals planning to become school counselors.
• Master’s Degree. Among the competencies expected of a school counselor are counseling techniques, ethical and legal considerations, crisis intervention, and special education. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree, graduates earn a Master’s Degree in School Counseling, where the knowledge and skills listed above are introduced and practiced. Though the majority of school counselors earn their Master’s in the field, many pursue related degrees in education.
• Fieldwork experience. School Counseling Master’s Degree programs require completion of practicum and internships in K-12 settings. These experiences introduce students to daily school counseling responsibilities and allow opportunities to apply their knowledge under supervised clinical practice.
• Practicum, which is shorter in length, serves as a bridge between classroom learning and clinical practice. Students are introduced to the daily responsibilities of a school counselor and apply their counseling skills under the close direction of a site director and clinical professor.
• Internship requirements usually span 600 or more hours, and allow students to work more independently in a school setting. Though they still work under supervision, interns facilitate classroom guidance lessons, small groups, and assist their site supervisor with school counseling tasks.
• Licensure or certification. States require educators to hold either a license or a certificate for the area in which they work.
  • A license is a permit from a government agency to practice a profession in that state.
  • A certificate is a credential from an independent organization.
• Continuing education. Practicing school counselors are expected to earn continuing education hours, which provide opportunities for professional development, specialized training, and staying updated on best and current practices in the field.
• Upholding professional standards. School counselors are expected to adhere to ethical and practical standards set by the American School Counseling Association.

The exception to these requirements is private schools, which may be able to set their own standards for hiring, including bypassing state regulations for licensure and certification. However, this information varies, and it is crucial to verify the policies of the individual schools for which you may want to work.​

State-specific Requirements

What do lawyers, doctors, and school counselors have in common? They all require state-specific licensure or certification to legally perform their jobs in their communities. Most states adopt the following pathway for school counselors:

• Hold a Master’s Degree in School Counseling or a related field.
• Complete the required fieldwork hours.
• Pass the Praxis School Counselor Exam or state-specific exam.

Many states use the Praxis School Counselor exam as their licensure or certification assessment. However, others require a passing score on a state-specific exam.  The following states are examples of varying requirements for school counselors:​

• New York. The Empire State requires a Master’s degree in School Counseling from an accredited program, including fieldwork hours, and a passing score on the New York State Teacher Certification Exam School Counselor Test.
• Texas. Texas’ Department of Education requires prospective school counselors to hold a Master’s degree in School Counseling or a related field. Like New York, Texas mandates a passing score on a state-specific certification test–the TExES School Counselor Exam.
• California. California requires a School Counseling Master’s Degree from a state-accredited program, followed by a passing score on the California Basic Education Skills Test. Prospective employees must also apply and be approved for a Pupil Personnel Services credential, which allows them to work in a K-12 school setting.

Alternative Routes to Certification or Licensure

Although most typically follow state-mandated steps to become a school counselor, alternative routes exist for individuals with existing licenses, closely associated degrees, or relevant experience.​

• Reciprocity. Many states recognize professional licenses issued by other states. This allows prospective school counselors to bypass some of the state-mandated requirements for licensure or certification, such as exams. However, individuals who apply for state licenses are still privy to requirements such as application fees and the submission and review of materials by the state’s Department of Education.
• Provisional Licensure. Individuals in the process of completing state requirements to be a school counselor may be able to work under a provisional license. As with reciprocity, each state sets its own guidelines. Examples of provisional license requirements are below:

• Michigan. Michigan grants temporary licenses for individuals with valid or expired licensure from other states. Licenses are active for one year, allowing school counselors to prepare for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, a requirement for state licensure.
• Kansas. Kansas grants provisional licenses to educators who hold valid 5-year certificates or licenses and have completed at least 50% of a school counselor preparation program. Provisional licenses are active for two years.
• Tennessee. The Volunteer State allows schools to employ individuals with advanced degrees in counseling who are enrolled and have completed at least 24 credit hours of a school counseling preparation program.

Do Online Degree Programs Meet Requirements?

As individuals seek opportunities to change or advance their careers, interest in online School Counseling Master’s Degree programs is growing. Like in-person or hybrid programs, fully online programs strive to meet established standards to prepare effective school counselors.​

When researching which online degree program best fits your needs, look for programs with offerings aligned with CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) standards:​

• Professional counseling orientation and ethics. The history, core responsibilities, and ethical foundation of the profession.
• Social and cultural identities and experiences. Counseling and advocating for diverse cultural and economic populations.
• Lifespan development. Supporting individuals of all life stages and abilities.
• Career development. Theories and best practices for supporting individuals through their career process.
• Counseling practice and relationships. Counseling theories, clinical practice, and developing relationships.
• Group counseling. Theories and practice for working with dynamic groups.
• Assessment and diagnostic processes. History, administration, and interpretation of assessments and diagnoses.
• Research and program evaluation. Advancing professional practice through research and analysis.

For future school counselors, online course offerings for master’s degree programs should offer preparation in school counseling program models, advocacy, collaboration and consultation, social-emotional and trauma-informed counseling, career exploration, post-secondary transition, and closing achievement gaps. Furthermore, programs preparing future school counselors require clinical, school-based experience in the form of practicum and internships.

Demand and Career Outlook for School Counselors

As the academic, social, and emotional growth of K-12 individuals evolves, so does the need for compassionate and competent school counselors. Often the first responders to students’ mental health needs, school counselors serve as an important bridge between the child, family, and other supportive resources.

School counseling is expected to rise steadily in the next decade, with projected growth as fast as the average for all occupations. As individuals retire or transition out of the profession, the country averages about 31,000 job openings per year, and the national median salary is $65,140.

FAQ

What are the requirements to be a School Counselor?

Each state establishes its own criteria for practice, though the majority of states require a Master’s Degree, relevant training and coursework, and a passing score on state licensure or certification exams.

Are there online or hybrid master’s programs in school counseling?

It is easier than ever to find a Master’s in School Counseling program that meets your needs. As you research programs, verify the method of delivery: in-person, fully online, or hybrid.

Is the Praxis required to become a school counselor?

Many states use the Praxis School Counseling exam as a licensure or certification exam. However, states such as California and Michigan require state-specific assessments. The most up-to-date information and requirements are available on each state’s Department of Education website.

Do you need a license to work as a school counselor?

Most states require licensure or certification to practice as a school counselor in public school districts; private schools may set their own requirements. The most current licensure or certification information for employment in public schools is on each state’s Department of Education website.

What’s the job outlook and salary for school counselors?

Projected job growth for school counselors is steady for the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national median salary in 2024 was $65,140.