School Counseling Professional Licensure
School Counseling is an online and on-campus program. NYU is authorized pursuant to SARA to enroll students in online programs in the SARA states and territories. For further details regarding NYU's SARA membership please visit the NYU State Authorization website. SARA requires universities to disclose to applicants and students whether programs that lead to professional licensure/certification meet licensure/certification requirements in the student’s state.
Note, state regulations change frequently, and the information posted here may have changed at the time of your specific application to or enrollment in our program of study. Please check with Alyssa Nittolo or Erika Jackson if you have specific questions about whether our program meets licensure requirements in a specific state.
Please see the table below for license eligibility by state:
| State | Does School Counseling meet the requirements for professional licensure in this state? | State License Contact Info | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes, with certain specifications | Alabama State Department of Education | State Also requires: Satisfactory completion of a state-approved program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses in the Alabama State Board of Education approved school counseling program. For initial certification in school counseling through the completion of a Class A Program the candidate must meet the Praxis requirement(s) of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). Effective July 1, 2017, and thereafter, two full years of full-time, acceptable professional educational work experience. Effective July 1, 2019, two full years of full-time, acceptable P-12 professional educational work experience. |
| Alaska | Yes, with certain specifications | Alaska Department of Education & Early Development | State requires Completion of three semester hours in Alaska studies. NYU School Counsleing program does not offer such a class. |
| Arizona | yes | Arizona Department of Education | |
| Arkansas | yes with certain specifications | Arkansas Department of Education | State also requires: Guidance/ Counseling (K–12) (Initial License) Praxis Requirements Professional School Counselor 5421 (156 Qualifying score) and Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 5622 (160 Qualifying score) or Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 5623 (160 Qualifying score) or Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 (157 Qualifying score) Guidance/Counseling (K–12) Endorsement (added to a current license) Praxis Requirements for individuals who have previously taken the other Praxis exam and who also have teaching experience Professional School Counselor 5421 (156 Qualifying score) |
| California | yes with certain specifications | Commission on Teacher Credentialing | State also requires: Obtain the formal recommendation of a California college or university with a commission-approved pupil personnel services program specializing in school counseling. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online. Complete the basic skills requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667,ntitled Basic Skills Requirement for additional information. |
| Colorado | No | Colorado Department of Education | State also requires applicant to hold a valid counseling license (LPC) issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Must have three or more years' experience as a licensed clinical counselor. |
| Connecticut | yes with certain specifications | Department of Education | State also requires: completion of study in special education comprised of not fewer than 36 clock hours including gifted and talented children and special-needs children in the regular classroom. Holds a professional educator certificate or holds or is eligible for an initial educator certificate and (1) has completed 30 school months of successful teaching experience or (2) A 10-month, full-time (700 hour min.) supervised school counseling internship. |
| Delaware | yes with certain specifications | Delaware Department of Education | State also requires: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators – Reading (156), Writing (162) and Mathematics (150) within the first two years of employment unless granted an exception. Praxis II School Counseling: Praxis II #5421 Professional School Counselor (156) (Required beginning 1/1/17) |
| Florida | yes with certain specifications | Florida Department of Education | State also requires: Professional Education Test; College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST); Subject Test in School Guidance and Counseling |
| Georgia | Yes | Georgia Professional Standards Commission | |
| Hawaii | yes with certain specifications | Hawaii Department of Education | State also requires: Must pass all scores by 4th year of employment. (1) Praxis I (PPST): Reading: 172, Writing: 171, Mathematics: 173; AND (2) Praxis II (PLT): Principles of Learning & Teaching: K-6: 163 or 7-12: 157; AND (3) Praxis II: School Counseling and Guidance: 580. |
| Idaho | Yes | Idaho State Department of Education | |
| Illinois | yes with certain specifications | Illinois State Board of Education | State also requires: Applicants must hold or be qualified to hold a teaching certificate; OR have completed, as part of an approved program, coursework addressing: (1) the structure, organization and operation of the educational system, with emphasis on P-12 schools; AND (2) the growth and development of children and youth, and their implications for counseling in schools; AND (3) the diversity of Illinois students and the laws and programs that have been designed to meet their unique needs; and (4) effective management of the classroom and the learning process. The internship shall be of a length that is determined by the approved program to be adequate to enable candidates to meet the standards but shall entail at least 600 hours and last no less than one semester, during which candidates shall engage in the performance of various aspects of the counseling role and shall be gradually introduced to the full range of responsibilities associated with that role. However, the internship for an individual with at least two years of teaching experience may, at the discretion of the institution offering the approved program, consist of no fewer than 400 hours. In each case at least 240 hours of the internship shall involve direct service work with school-age individuals and groups. Must pass the ISBE Examination for School Counseling and meet all requirements for certification. |
| Indiana | Yes. State requires CPR and suicide training. | Indiana Department of Education | State also requires: CPR and suicide training also required for initial license. |
| Iowa | No | Iowa Board of Educational Examiners | State requies an exceptional learner course. NYU School Counseling program does not offer an "exceptional learner" course. |
| Kansas | yes with certain specifications | Kansas State Department of Education | State requires a Master’s degree with a 3.25 cumulative GPA in graduate coursework. Must hold a valid Kansas professional teaching certificate to be eligible for a school counseling license and have a supervised internship by enrolling in internship credits during your first year of employment as a school counselor under your conditional license. Parallel pathway program also available for those without teaching experience. Fingerprinting will be required for all expired certificates/licenses. This is a change from the six month expiration date for certificates/licenses. |
| Kentucky | Residential MA: yes, with specifications. Online MA: no | Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board | State requires (1) one year teaching or (2) two years as a full-time school counselor and three to six additional graduate credits needed for standard license |
| Louisiana | No | Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners | State requires applicant to hold or be eligible to hold a valid LA teaching certificate except for ancillary counselor certification and (2) Must have 3 credits in a supervised practicum in a school setting. Required exams: (1) NTE Core Battery (Communication: 645, General Knowledge: 644, and Professional Knowledge: 645); AND (2) NTE Specialty Area Exam in school counseling. |
| Maine | No | Maine Department of Education | State requires a Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom course. NYU School Counseling program does not offer a "Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom" course. |
| Maryland | yes with certain specifications | Maryland State Department of Education | State requires: The coursework, professional development, or continuing education unit required by §F(1) of this regulation shall address: (a) the need for intervention or referral in response to indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress, including, but not limited to: (i) depression, (ii) trauma, (iii) violence, (iv) youth suicide and (v) substance abuse. (b) The identification of professional resources and best practices for distributing resources to parents or guardians to help students in crisis. |
| Massachusetts | Yes. State requires specific corse work. See State Requirements column. | Massachusetts Department of Education | State Requires: Required Coursework: Subject mater in the following courses: (1) familiarity with the Curriculum Frameworks and their use in the advising responsibilities of the guidance counselor, (2) understanding and interpretation of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System and other academic test results to students, teachers and parents, (3) psychology of learning, (4) understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of learning and behavior disorders, (5) theories of normal and abnormal intellectual, social and emotional development, (6) knowledge of strategies used for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, the spectrum of mental illnesses and violence in pre-K–12 students, (7) philosophy, principles and practices in school guidance counseling, (8) federal, state, municipal and school laws and regulations, (9) career counseling, (10) resources within the school system or the community for referral, (11) knowledge of statistics, research design and research in guidance counseling, (12) group counseling and group leadership, (13) development of skills for consultation with parents, teachers and administrators and (14) college counseling and use of college and other postsecondary resource materials. |
| Michigan | yes with certain specifications | Michigan Department of Education | Out-of-State Applicants: Applicants who complete all requirements of an approved, out-of-state school counselor education program and/or fulfilled other requirements are evaluated for a school counselor license by the Michigan Department of Education Office of Professional Preparation Services. This license is valid for five years and is issued to candidates who have fulfilled all out-of-state institutional and academic requirements applicable to being evaluated by MDE for a Michigan school counselor license, including: (1) applicant completed a master’s degree or higher in a school counselor educator program including internship in a school setting at an out-of-state university or its equivalency, (2) applicant has earned a bachelor’s degree and has successfully worked out of state as a school counselor five out of the immediately preceding seven years, plus holds a valid school counselor certificate/license issued by another state, (3) applicant passes the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification School Counselor examination. |
| Minnesota | Yes | Minnesota Department of Education | State Requires: Educational Requirements: (Option 1) Hold a master's degree or the equivalent from a college or university that is regionally accredited and show verification of completing a Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board preparation program leading to the licensure of school counselors or (Option 2) Provide evidence of having completed a preparation program in school counseling accredited by CACREP; |
| Mississippi | yes with certain specifications | Mississippi Department of Education | State Requires: Education Requirements: (Option 1) Hold standard teaching license and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling; or (Option 2) Master’s degree in another area AND completion of an approved program for guidance and counseling (with a year internship in school counseling) AND scoring a passing score on the Praxis II; or (Option 3) Complete an approved master’s degree program for guidance and counseling which includes a full year internship; or (Option 4) Hold National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential issued by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Experience Requirements: If applicant does not already hold a MS teaching certificate, must complete a full-year internship. Examination: Pass Praxis I and/or Praxis II: School Guidance and Counseling |
| Missouri | yes with certain specifications | Missouri Department of Education | State requires: Educational Requirements: Must either possess a bachelor’s degree in education from a state-approved teacher preparation program or complete a curriculum in teaching methods and practices, classroom management and the psychology of the exceptional child, as specified by the recommending certification officer of a state-approved program. Examination: Missouri School Counselor Content Assessment with a score of 220 or higher and the School Counselor Candidate Assessment |
| Montana | yes with certain specifications | Montana Office of Public Instruction | State requires: Must be of “good moral and professional character.” |
| Nebraska | yes with certain specifications | Nebraska Department of Education | State requires: Must have two years of teaching experience. Examination Required: (1) Praxis I PPST: Reading: 170, Writing: 172, and Mathematics: 171; or (2) Praxis I CBT: Reading: 316, Writing: 318, and Mathematics: 316; or (3) Content Mastery Exam for Education–Basic Skills Test (CMEEBST): Minimum Score of 850. Must also “be of good moral character,” have no felony conviction or misdemeanor involving abuse, neglect, or sexual misconduct, and have not been determined mentally incompetent |
| Nevada | yes with certain specifications | Nevada Department of Education | State Requires: Required course work: must have classes from two of the following areas: a. use of technology in education, b. exceptional children ; c. human growth and development or d. substance abuse and counseling. |
| New Hampshire | yes with certain specifications | New Hampshire Department of Education | State Requires: Educational Requirements: (Option 1) Have completed a state board of education approved school counseling collegiate program at the master’s degree level or higher; or (Option 2) Alternative certification is possible if the following three requirements are met: (1) The candidates has at least a master's degree in a closely related counseling field and (2) documents/demonstrates that they have also acquired the competencies, skills, and knowledge that they would have gained if they had graduated from a NHDOE approved graduate program in school counseling (this is demonstrated through written thesis and oral board review) and (3) must have worked for three months as guidance counselor to qualify for an alternative certification. In order to accomplish #2 above, additional coursework specifically in school counseling is usually required. The whole alternative process usually takes one year. |
| New Jersey | yes with certain specifications | New Jersey Department of Education | State requires: Applicants applying for instructional certification must pass an examination in physiology and hygiene, including the effects of narcotics and alcohol. |
| New Mexico | yes with certain specifications | New Mexico Department of Education | State requires: Examination: New Mexico Content Knowledge Assessment for School Counselor |
| New York | Yes | New York State Education Department | |
| North Carolina | yes with certain specifications | NC Public Schools | State requires: Examination: Praxis: Professional School Counselor 5421 |
| North Dakota | yes with certain specifications | North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board | State requires: Required Coursework: (1) elementary school counseling, (2) secondary school counseling. Experience Requirements: (1) Hold a valid educator's professional license, (2) have a supervised school-based internship of at least 450 hours, with at least 150 hours at the elementary level and at least 150 hours at the secondary level. |
| Ohio | yes with certain specifications | Ohio Department of Education | State requires: Examination: NTE or Praxis II: School Guidance and Counseling. Test required depends on the program completed. Applicant must exhibit good moral character as well. |
| Oklahoma | yes with certain specifications | Oklahoma State Department of Education | State requires: Required Coursework: Completion of a two semester hour course in the education of the exceptional child; and regency credit/experience. Examination: (Option 1) With an OK teaching certificate: (1) Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam (OKPT) and (2) Oklahoma’s subject area test in school counseling or (Option 2) Without teaching certificate: (1) Two tests mentioned above and (2) Oklahoma General Education Test. |
| Oregon | No | Teacher Standards and Practices Commission | State requires a discimination law course. NYU School Counseling program does not offer a course that focuses on the discrimination laws in Oregon. |
| Pennsylvania | yes with certain specifications | Pennsylvania Department of Education | State requires: Experience Requirements: A minimum of an additional 300 clock hours of internship/supervised field experiences to include instructional experience and a minimum of 70 hours (elementary) OR 75 hours (secondary) of direct service with individual and group clients. Examination: Must score 173 on Praxis Mathematics, 172 on Praxis Reading, and 173 on Praxis Writing. Also must score a minimum of 590 on the Praxis II School Guidance and Counseling. |
| Rhode Island | yes with certain specifications | Rhode Island Department of Education | State requires: Examination: Praxis II Professional School Counselor test (5421) with a score of 156. |
| South Carolina | yes with certain specifications | South Carolina Department of Education | State requires: Examination: (1) Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): 165 AND (2) Praxis II: School Guidance and Counseling: 550 |
| South Dakota | no | South Dakota Department of Education | State requires: Required Coursework: One clock hour of suicide awareness and prevention training |
| Tennessee | yes with certain specifications | Tennessee Department of Education | State requires: Experience requirements: Guidance and counseling experiences at both the preK-6 and 7-12 grade levels will be provided to the candidate during the internship or practicum and (2) School counselor candidates without teaching experience will have a one semester long orientation experience in a school as an early part of the preparation program. The orientation experience will be structured to provide observation, participation in, and analysis of classroom instruction. Examination: Praxis II: School Guidance & Counseling, Minimum 580 |
| Texas | yes with certain specifications | Texas Education Agency | State requires: Experience Requirements: Must have two years of classroom teaching experience. Examination: Minimum score of 240 on School Counselor Exam (TExES #152) |
| Utah | Online MA: No Residential MA: yes, with specifications |
Utah State Department of Education | State requires Praxis examination. |
| Vermont | yes with certain specifications | State of Vermont Agency of Education | State Requires: Experience Requirements: A supervised internship experience (600 clock hours) in counseling with a minimum of 60 hours of experience in school counseling at both the elementary (PK-6) and middle/secondary (7-12) levels, under the supervision of a licensed school counselor. Examination: Praxis I: Must have a minimum score of 177 in reading, 174 in writing and 175 in mathematics UNLESS have a minimum of 1000 on the SAT’s OR 1100 on GRE’s OR 22 on the ACT’s |
| Virginia | yes with certain specifications | Virginia Department of Education | State requires: Experience Requirements: (Option 1) At least 100 clock hours of clinical experiences in the preK-6 setting and 100 clock hours of clinical experiences in the grades 7-12 setting; (Option 2) Two years of successful, full-time teaching experience or two years of successful, full-time experience in guidance and counseling. Two years of successful, full-time experience in guidance and counseling under a provisional license may be accepted to meet this requirement. |
| Washington | yes with certain specifications | State of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction | State Requires: Educational Requirements: Master's degree in counseling. Must submit official transcripts showing degree completion of any state's approved program leading to certification for the school counselor role Form 4098E or three years of out-of-state experience in the school counselor role Form 4020F-1 and completion of a comprehensive exam relevant to the role. |
| West Virginia | yes with certain specifications | West Virginia Department of Education | State requires: Praxis II Professional School Counselor Examination (5421) score of 156. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction | |
| Wyoming | Yes | Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board |
| U.S. Territories | Does School Counseling meet the requirements for professional licensure in this state? | State License Contact Info | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa | no | ||
| District of Columbia | yes with certain specifications | Office of the State Superintendent of Education | State requires: Completion of two years of recognized full-time teaching experience. One year could be satisfied by full-time experience in a non-school setting and (2) No less than three hundred (300) clock hours of graduate level university supervised field experience in counseling in a PreK-12 school setting. One hundred (100) of these required hours may be granted prior to classroom teaching experiences. Successful completion of all portions of the Praxis I – PreProfessional Skills Test and all applicable portions of the Praxis II |
| Guam | no | Guam Courts | |
| Northern Mariana Islands | no | Northern Mariana Islands Public School System | |
| Puerto Rico | no | ||
| U.S. Virgin Islands | no |