School Counselor, PreK -12

Certificate Information

Overview: This Certificate authorizes the holder as a School Counselor in grades PreK-12. The certificate is a 12-year certificate and is renewable with 15 hours of professional development per year and may include continuing education in the area of college and career readiness. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-601, R7-2-607, R7-2-617 (B), and R7-2-621.

Out-of-state certificate: If you hold a valid, current, comparable out-of-state school counselor certificate/license that is in good standing in another state, follow this link for information and steps to apply under reciprocity. 

To qualify for this certificate applicants must meet Option A, B, C, or D under Required Coursework/Training. 

A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met, please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.

  • Application: A completed Application for Certification.
  • Fee: The required fee is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable. 
  • AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
  • Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting a Master's or more advanced degree and all applicable coursework.
    • Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency.  Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation" list.  

Degree Requirement

  • Master's Degree: A master's or more advanced degree from an accredited institution.

One of the Following (Option A, B, C, or D):

Option A: Guidance and Counseling Graduate Program

  • Graduate Program:  Completion of a graduate program in guidance and counseling from an accredited institution. 

 

Allowable Deficiency Requirement: The requirement below is an allowable deficiency that must be completed within three years of issuance of the certificate.  Please click on the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information

  • Practicum/Experience: One of the following:
    • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution; -OR-
    • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor; - OR-
    • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.

-OR-

Option B: Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology Graduate Program

  • Graduate Program: Completion of a graduate program in counseling, social work, or psychology from an accredited institution. 

 

Allowable Deficiency Requirement(s): The requirements below are allowable deficiencies that must be completed within three years of issuance of the certificate.  Please click on the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information

  • Coursework: Completion of six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: school counseling, college and career guidance, or academic advising.
  • Practicum/Experience: One of the following:
    • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution; -OR-
    • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor; - OR-
    • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.

-OR-

Option C: Behavioral Health License

  • AZ Board of Behavioral Health License: A valid license as an associate counselor, professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Submit a photocopy of the license.

Allowable Deficiency Requirement(s): The requirements below are allowable deficiencies that must be completed within three years of issuance of the certificate.  Please click on the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information

  • Coursework: Completion of six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: school counseling, college and career guidance, or academic advising.
  • Practicum/Experience. One of the following:
    • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution; -OR-
    • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor; - OR-
    • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.

-OR-

Option D: Academic Advising Program

  • Graduate Program: Completion of a graduate program in Academic Advising from an accredited institution.

Allowable Deficiency Requirement(s): The requirements below are allowable deficiencies that must be completed within three years of issuance of the certificate.  Please click on the "Allowable Deficiencies" button below for further information

  • Coursework: Completion of six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: social and emotional development, mental health counseling, trauma and disaster counseling, multiculturalism in counseling, theories of counseling, the foundation of school counseling, or child and adolescent counseling.
  • Practicum/Experience: One of the following:
    • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution; -OR-
    • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor; - OR-
    • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.

Individuals who otherwise qualify but are deficient in the specified Coursework (SH) or Practicum/Experience requirement(s) must complete all deficiency requirements within three years. 

  • Semester Hours: Completion of six semester hours of courses based on the option the applicant qualified.
  • Practicum or Experience: 
    • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution. -OR-
    • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor.
    • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.

 

If the allowable deficiencies are not met within the specified timeframe, the certificate will be placed on non-disciplinary suspension and will not be valid for employment until the deficiencies are corrected.  

For additional information and resources for meeting these deficiencies please visit the Deficiency Removal page.

Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority

  • Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
    • Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected].
    • Paper official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to:
      Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit
      PO Box 6490 
      Phoenix, AZ  85005-6490.
    • Foreign credential evaluations must be sent directly by the approved foreign credential evaluation agency to [email protected] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.
  • Verification of Teaching Experience: If you are using teaching experience to meet Certification requirements, request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form directly to [email protected].
  • Verification of School Counseling Experience: If you are using school counselor experience to meet the Practicum/Experience requirement, please have your school/district human resources administrator or superintendent complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Leadership and Professional Non-Teaching Experience form to [email protected]. 

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

  • AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card. 
  • Behavioral Health License (if applicable): Submit a photocopy of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners associate counselor, professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist license.

  

    Ready to apply - click here for step-by-step directions

    Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes