WashingtonSchool Counselor Certification Requirements

School counselor preparation universally requires a master's degree in school counseling or counselor education. CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation is required or strongly preferred in many states. Practicum typically involves 100 hours of supervised experience, and internship ranges from 300 to 700 hours of school-based supervised experience. Programs align with ASCA National Model standards for comprehensive school counseling programs.

The Praxis School Counselor exam (5421) is the most widely required examination, accepted in approximately 35+ states. The exam covers foundations of school counseling, program development and management, counseling and consultation, and professional standards. Some states (CA, FL, IL, MA, MI, MN, NY, TX, WA) use their own state-specific examinations. Passing scores for the Praxis typically range from 152 to 160 depending on the state.

School counselor credentials vary in terminology across states: certificates, licenses, credentials, and endorsements. Most are issued by the state Department of Education rather than a separate licensing board. The National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential from NBCC is recognized in 40+ states as an additional qualification. Many states require 2-4 years of school-based counseling experience for advancement from an initial to a professional-level credential.

Additional Notes

Washington requires certification/licensure for all school counselors working in public schools.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require some form of certification, licensure, or credentialing for school counselors working in public schools. The terminology varies: some states issue "certificates," others issue "licenses," "credentials," or "endorsements." Most credentials are issued through the state Department of Education rather than a separate professional licensing board.

School counselors provide comprehensive services aligned with the ASCA National Model, including academic development, career planning, and social-emotional support. Services encompass individual and group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, college and career advising, crisis intervention, consultation with parents and teachers, and referrals to community resources. School counselors are distinct from clinical mental health counselors and practice within the school setting.

CE/PD Details

100 continuing education credits plus completion of Issues of Abuse Course; requires 2 years service as school counselor for Professional ESA advancement

Regulatory Board

School counselor credentials must be renewed on schedule with the state department of education or credentialing authority. Most states use a 5-year renewal cycle. Continuing education/professional development requirements range from 6 to 100 hours per cycle and typically cover school counseling theory, ethics, social-emotional learning, crisis intervention, college and career readiness, and culturally responsive counseling. Some states use "clock hours," "professional development units," or "renewal credits" instead of standard CE hours.

Reciprocity Requirements

• •Hold a valid school counselor credential in good standing from another state
• •Master's degree in school counseling from an accredited institution
• •Pass the Comprehensive exam relevant to the school counselor role (program-specific)
• •Complete criminal background check
• •Submit application to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

Most states offer reciprocity or endorsement pathways for school counselors credentialed in other states. Requirements typically include verification of current credentials, meeting education and examination requirements, and completing a background check. Some states may require a state-specific examination or additional coursework. Interstate agreements and the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement facilitate credential portability across participating states.