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State Restrictions

State Licensing Requirements for School Counseling

This program is designed to provide the content required by the State of Indiana. While our program is open to students from any state and may meet the licensing requirements elsewhere, either directly or via reciprocity, students are encouraged to check with the licensing board in their home state to find out whether the program will work for them.*

* Disclaimers:

  • Some states require prior work experience as a classroom teacher and/or K-12 educator.
  • Some states offer reciprocity to those licensed first in another state, such as Indiana.
  • Some states require specific coursework or post-master’s experiences or training.
  • Each student is responsible for confirming the licensing requirements in their state, as they could have changed.
StateBoard NameLicensure Requirements StatusNotes
AlabamaAlabama Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
AlaskaAlaska Department of EducationMeets Requirements with exception of one course**Completion of three semester hours in Alaska studies
ArizonaArizona School Counselors
Arizona Professional Skills
Requirements for the Standard School Counselor, PreK-12 Certificate
Educator Certification Home Page for Arizona Department of Education
Meets Requirements
ArkansasArkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, School CounselingMeets Requirements
CaliforniaOut-of-State Prepared requirements
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) (link coming soon)
California Department of Education
Meets Requirements
ColoradoColorado Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
ConnecticutConnecticut Department of EducationMeets Requirements with exception of specialized field experience**36 hours of field experience with special education/gifted & talented
DelawareElementary School Counselor Requirements
Secondary School Counselor Requirements
Does Not Meet Requirements**Completion of 3 credits in special education law and 3 credits in family counseling
FloridaFlorida Department of Education/school counselingMay Meet Requirements**3 credits in counseling with special populations
GeorgiaGeorgia Department of Education/school counselingMay Meet Requirements**Requires coursework in special education.
HawaiiHawaii Department of Education
Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
Meets Requirements
IdahoIdaho State Department of Education
Idaho State Department of Education Certification


Meets Requirements
IllinoisIllinois State Board of Education


May Meet Requirements**If student holds or is qualified to hold a teaching certificate- otherwise additional coursework required
IndianaIndiana Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
IowaIowa Department of EducationMay Meet Requirements**Requires coursework in exceptional learners
KansasKansas State Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
KentuckyKentucky Department of Education


Meets RequirementsRequires CACREP Accredited Degree
LouisianaLouisiana Department of Administration (pages 39-40)Meets Requirements
MaineMaine Department of EducationMay Meet Requirements**Requires coursework in exceptional learners in the classroom
MarylandMaryland Department of Education


Meets Requirements
MassachusettsMassachusetts Department of Education/school counseling


Does Not Meet Requirements**Requires coursework covering state curriculum standards and interpreting state standardized assessments
MichiganRenewal Requirements
Michigan Department of Education/school counseling
Michigan Department of Education/out-of-state applicants
Meets Requirements
MinnesotaMinnesota Department of EducationMeets Requirements
MississippiMississippi Department of EducationMeets Requirements
MissouriMissouri Department of Education/school counseling


Meets Requirements
MontanaMontana Educator Licensing
Montana School Counselor Application
Meets Requirements
Nebraskahttp://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/index.html
Nebraska Department of Education/school counseling


Meets Requirements
NevadaNevada Department of EducationMay Meet Requirements**Requires coursework in family counseling and either substance abuse, technology in education, or exceptional children
New Hampshirehttp://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/ed500.html (Ed 507.07)
New Hampshire Department of Education
Meets Requirements
New JerseyNew Jersey Department of EducationDoes Not Meet Requirements**Requires 6 credits in Psychology and 3 credits in community organizations
New MexicoNew Mexico Public Education DepartmentMeets Requirements
New Yorkhttp://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do#cfocus*May Meet Requirements*Requires additional training in New York
North CarolinaNorth Carolina Department of Education/school counselingMeet RequirementsRequires CACREP Accredited Degree
North DakotaNorth Dakota Department of EducationMeets Requirements
OhioOhio Department of Education New License
Ohio Department of Education Out-of-State License
Ohio Administrative Code
Meets Requirements
OklahomaOklahoma Department of EducationMeets Requirements
OregonOregon Department of Education/school counselingMay Meet Requirements*Oregon specific training required in discrimination- can be taken online
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Department of EducationMeets Requirements
Rhode IslandRhode Island Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
South CarolinaSouth Carolina Educators CertificationMeets Requirements
South DakotaSouth Dakota Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
TennesseeTennessee Department of EducationMeets Requirements
TexasTexas Education AgencyMeets Requirements
UtahUtah Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
VermontVermont Department of EducationMeets Requirements
VirginiaVirginia Department of EducationMeets Requirements
WashingtonWashington Department of Education/school counselingMay Meet Requirements**Suicide prevention training required. Must confirm whether Butler’s training counts
West VirginiaWest Virginia Department of Education/school counselingMeets Requirements
WisconsinWisconsin Department of Education/school counseling


Meets Requirements
WyomingWyoming Professional Teaching Standards BoardMeets Requirements

Answers to Common Questions

Find answers to common questions about Butler University’s online programs. For information not covered here, our expert admission team is available to provide additional details and guidance.

Yes, with careful planning, the right electives, and one additional course, you can become dual-licensed in school counseling and mental health counseling in Indiana. While this may also be possible in other states, requirements vary and additional fieldwork may be necessary. Learn more about your state’s licensure requirements by checking the school counseling state restrictions and mental health counseling state restrictions. Reach out to an admissions counselor for more information.

The MS in School Counseling program offers training and a pathway to licensure in professional school counseling. In addition, we offer the coursework necessary to achieve dual-licensure in mental health counseling. Our coursework leads directly to licensure in the state of Indiana. Requirements vary by state. Learn more about the requirements in your state by checking the school counseling state restrictions and mental health counseling state restrictions.