Steps to School Counselor Licensure
All prospective School Counselors (who are not already a licensed classroom teacher) must complete STEP 1 (Obtain a School Counseling Educator’s License from ESPB) AND STEP 2 (Obtain a Counseling Credential from DPI) prior to the start of the school year.
If the applicant holds a North Dakota Educator License, then just STEP 2 (Obtain a Counseling Credential from DPI) is needed.
STEP 1: Begin the application process to obtain a School Counseling Educator’s License from ESPB. Determine which option below is applicable to the applicant.
Option 1: Initial Two-Year In-State Educators License
Applicant completed a master’s degree in counseling, school counseling or other counseling area from a North Dakota college.
+ Applicant applies online and submits a background check packet. Official transcripts and any Praxis test scores will be needed to complete the application. Based on these materials, ESPB will create a counseling plan depending on which education courses and/or tests are needed to fulfill licensure requirements.
The education courses required for school counselors are:
- Educational Psychology
- Classroom Management
- Instructional planning, methods, and assessment
- Multicultural/Native American Studies
Praxis II for School Counselors (5422) is also required
Option 2: Initial Out of State Reciprocal License
Applicant completed a master’s degree in counseling outside of North Dakota and does not hold a school counseling license in that state.
+ Applicant applies online and submits a background check packet. Official transcripts and any Praxis test scores will be needed to complete the application. Then, a transcript analysis is done by ESPB to determine if any education courses and/or tests are needed to fulfill licensure requirements.
The education courses required for school counselors are:
- Educational Psychology
- Classroom Management
- Instructional planning, methods, and assessment
- Multicultural/Native American Studies
Praxis II for School Counselors (5422) is also required
Option 3: Initial Other State Educator License (OSEL)
Applicant completed a master’s degree in school counseling outside of ND and holds a current, valid school counseling license in another state.
+ Applicant applies online and submits a background check packet and official transcripts. Applicant must also submit a copy of their valid license for school counting in another state, and standardized test scores used by that state/college or evidence of licensure held prior to 2002. If applicant does not have tests scores, they would receive a OSEL testing plan and have two years to complete the required Praxis test.
Option 4: Alternate Access License (Not available until July 1 of each year.)
Applicant does not have a master’s degree in counseling but are enrolled in a master’s degree program and have completed 3 of the 4 foundational counseling courses:
- Counseling Program Management
- Counseling Methods or Techniques
- Counseling Theory
- Ethics and Law
Please contact Jim Upgren at DPI (jimupgren@nd.gov or 701-328-2244) with questions on if you qualify based on your coursework completed.
+ Applicant applies online and submits a background check packet and official transcripts. The K-12 school hiring the applicant for a school counselor position must also submit a letter requesting the Alternate Access License for the applicant. The letter must describe how they have tried to find a fully licensed school counselor but have not been able to do so.
- An Alternate Access License good for one year but can be renewed twice
- Before renewing for 2nd Alternate Access License, applicant must submit a Program of Study from a college/university to complete master’s degree in school counseling
- When finished with master’s degree in school counseling, applicant is issued a Two-Year license.
*The Praxis II test approved for ND School Counselor licensure is “School Counselor (5422)”*
For questions regarding the STEP 1 process:
Mari Riehl, Education Standards and Practice Board
701-328-9645
STEP 2: Obtain a School Counseling Credential from DPI
The school counseling credential is needed to legally practice as a school counselor. The school counseling credential is in addition to your educator license. The school counseling credential requires a separate application from those outlined in STEP 1; HOWEVER, these applications can both be started in the same ND Teach Account.
This credential is issued by DPI and questions regarding credential requirements should be directed to:
Jim Upgren, Department of Public Instruction
701-328-2244