Hawaii School Counselor Certification

The initial school counseling license is a Standard License and is valid for five (5) years. There are four license field options for which you can apply:

Step 1: Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in school counseling and guidance from a regionally accredited college/university, such as the following schools:

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  • #1

    Grand Canyon University

    M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

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    New York University (NYU)

    NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

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    Liberty University

    Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.

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    University of Denver

    Master of Arts in School Counseling. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

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    Peabody College at Vanderbilt University

    Master in School Counseling. Click here to contact Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and request information about their programs.

• Supervised experience (e.g., practicum) in a school setting, as part of the degree process

To verify that you have completed a preparation program that meets the minimum standards for Hawaiian licensure, visit this website.

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Fingerprinting and criminal background checking is completed at the school district level once the hiring school submits materials for hire. There is not a pre-application background check process.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain school counseling certification in Hawaii, you must earn a score of 156 or greater on the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421). For more information about this exam, or to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Organize Your Application Materials

Your complete application is submitted online and includes the following materials:

• Complete your profile and application through the Department of Education website, located here
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score for the Professional School Counseling exam (ETS 5421)

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Your application for Hawaii School Counselor license is submitted online at the Department of Education website.

If you prefer to submit a paper application, send a 9″ x 12″ self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Additional Information

If you need additional assistance with your standard school counselor license, you can call the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board at 808-586-2600 between the hours of 7:45 AM and 4:30 PM (HST). You can also email a specialist at htsb@hawaii.gov.

The standard school counselor license is renewable every five (5) years between January and June of the renewal year. You will receive renewal instructions via email to the address listed in your account with Hawaii Teacher Standards Board in January of your renewal year.

Renewal materials include:

• Renewal application submitted online at the Department of Education website
• Verification of Experience for Renewal, downloadable here
• Verification of Satisfying the Hawaii School Counselor Performance Standards, downloadable here

As of February 2020, there is no renewal application fee.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your renewal application, the best way to contact the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board is to login to your account here and use the Contact HTSB tab to send a message to the licensure department.

The state of Hawaii will review out-of-state applicants who hold a current, valid license. To submit an application for consideration of reciprocity licensure, your application materials will include:

• Completed profile and application through the Department of Education website
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. Your school counselor preparation program should include a supervised internship/practicum experience and be verifiable as an approved program for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. For more information, download this PDF
• Proof of passing score for the Professional School Counseling exam (ETS 5421) or proof of passing scores from an equivalent exam approved from the licensing state
• Copy of your current, valid license

As of February 2020, there is no application fee for the standard school counselor license.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional assistance with your reciprocity license application, you can email a specialist at htsb@hawaii.gov or call the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board at 808-586-2600. Licensure representatives are available between the hours of 7:45 AM and 4:30 PM (HST).