Arkansas School Counselor Certification
Arkansas school counselor certification requires a master’s degree in school counseling or an ADE-approved preparation program and a score of 146 on the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422). You’ll also need state, FBI, and Child Maltreatment Central Registry background checks, required professional development, and a $75 application fee. The K-12 standard license is valid for five years.
Arkansas Links
The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Educator Licensure, licenses Arkansas school counselors. The K-12 credential covers every grade level, and the required Praxis exam has changed since many older guides were written. If you’re still choosing a program or mapping out your timeline, start with our guide to becoming an Arkansas school counselor.
Skip to the section that fits your situation:
Initial Arkansas School Counselor Certification
These are the Arkansas school counselor requirements for a first-time standard license, which is valid for five years. Exam scores, fees and procedures can change, so confirm current details with ADE before you register for exams or apply.
Step 1: Educational Requirements
Two pathways exist, and the one that applies to you depends on your graduate degree.
Pathway 1: You hold a master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited institution. This is the most direct route. If you’re still choosing a program, our school counseling master’s degree guide covers what to look for.
Pathway 2: You hold a master’s degree in another field and complete an ADE-approved school counselor program of study through an Arkansas institution. Eligibility depends on your prior degree and on completing that approved program of study, so ask the program to review your transcript before you apply. A list of approved educator preparation programs is available on the Arkansas DESE website.
Here’s how that plays out. Dana has a master’s in clinical psychology and wants to work in a high school counseling office. Pathway 2 is likely her route, but whether her degree qualifies depends on a review of an approved program. That program will tell her what coursework she needs. Marcus teaches fifth grade in Conway and just finished a master’s in school counseling. He follows Pathway 1.
Both pathways lead to the same K-12 School Counseling credential.
Before you enroll anywhere, check how the program handles Arkansas licensure. Some out-of-state online programs publish licensure disclosures saying they don’t meet Arkansas’s educational requirements. Finding that out after graduation is an expensive surprise.
Step 2: Submit to Criminal Background Checks
You’ll need to clear three background checks before the state issues a license: an Arkansas State criminal history check, an FBI fingerprint-based check, and a Child Maltreatment Central Registry check. Start by completing the background consent form. In-state applicants then schedule fingerprinting at a Live Scan location near you. Out-of-state applicants must request a fingerprint card from Arkansas DESE and follow its separate submission instructions.
Step 3: Examination Requirements
All applicants must pass the Praxis School Counselor exam (test code 5422) with a score of at least 146. ETS lists the 5422 for Arkansas’s K-12 school counseling initial license, matching DESE’s licensure assessment table. ETS administers the Praxis, but Arkansas sets the licensure requirements and passing scores.
The 5422 replaced the older Professional School Counselor exam (5421), and DESE notes that it may still accept a previous version of the licensure test. If you already hold a 5421 score, ask ADE whether it counts before you retest. Confirm current cut scores with ADE or ETS before registering.
Some preparation programs set their own additional assessment requirements. Verify those with your program before you register for anything beyond the 5422.
Most school counseling programs prepare you for the Praxis as part of your coursework. Many also include a practicum (commonly 100 or more hours, depending on the program) before your internship.
Step 4: Complete Required Professional Development
Before ADE issues your first standard license, you’ll need to complete state-required professional development. DESE asks for a record of learning from your preparation program, not a stack of individual certificates. Your program’s licensure officer is usually the right person to ask about what’s on your record.
Arkansas History coursework or professional development may be required depending on your licensure pathway and applicable state requirements. Confirm with Arkansas DESE before enrolling.
Step 5: Know the Fees
The license application fee is $75. You’ll also pay separately for your Praxis exam and background checks, so budget for those.
You can pay the application fee online, or by money order or cashier’s check made payable to the Arkansas Department of Education.
Step 6: Organize Your Application Materials
Your complete application includes:
- Completed profile and application through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System (AELS)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits
- Passing score report for the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422), plus any additional assessments your program requires
- Record of required professional development, including Arkansas History if your pathway requires it
- $75 application fee
Step 7: Submit Your Application
Most materials go through AELS. Background checks run through separate state-approved systems. If you need a paper application, email the Office of Educator Licensure at [email protected]. You can also call 501-682-4342 during business hours (Central time). Contact details do change, so check the ADE website if something doesn’t go through.
Arkansas School Counselor Certification Renewal
Standard licenses renew every five years. You can start the renewal process any time during the fifth year of your license.
To renew, you’ll need the state-mandated trainings, such as mandated reporter training and bullying prevention. These run on a five-year rotation and can be completed any time in the five years before renewal. ADE reviews your record of learning in AELS, so don’t upload certificates. If your records are incomplete, you can upload the professional development verification form signed by your administrator.
The 36-hour figure you’ll see is a separate employment requirement. Educators working in Arkansas public schools complete 36 hours of professional development each year as part of the basic contract, and districts track those hours. If you aren’t employed by a district, you’re responsible for securing the professional development renewal requires on your own.
You must also clear background checks again before renewal is approved.
Required for renewal:
- Renewal application through AELS
- Newly cleared background checks
- Professional development record in AELS, or the signed verification form if your records are incomplete
- Renewal fee, payable online (confirm the current amount in AELS)
For renewal questions, email [email protected] or call 501-682-4342.
Arkansas School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
If you’re licensed in another state, Arkansas may issue your credential through reciprocity. DESE bases reciprocity on its own licensure rules and the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, and approval isn’t automatic. A licensure specialist reviews your education and credentials and contacts you if there are gaps. That can mean extra coursework or exams.
Start by emailing the Office of Educator Licensure to request a reciprocity packet. Include your name and the mailing address where you’d like it sent.
Veterans and spouses of active-duty military members can ask for an expedited review. Email a copy of your valid standard license to the Office of Educator Licensure and identify yourself as a veteran or military spouse.
Required materials for reciprocity applicants:
- Completed profile and application through the Arkansas Educator Licensure System
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits
- A qualifying current or expired out-of-state standard educator license, subject to Arkansas reciprocity rules
- Testing history: Arkansas reviews out-of-state credentials, testing history, and qualifying experience to determine whether additional assessments are required. Details on the Praxis School Counselor exam are available from ETS.
- Arkansas State and FBI criminal background checks and an Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry background check
- Arkansas History coursework or professional development, if required for your licensure pathway
- $75 nonrefundable application fee
For reciprocity questions, email the Office of Educator Licensure at [email protected].
Arkansas School Counseling Certification Resources
These organizations offer continuing education, professional development, and career support. They don’t issue Arkansas licenses. Only ADE’s Office of Educator Licensure does that.
- Arkansas School Counselor Association
- Arkansas Department of Education School Counseling Resources
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
- National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Frequently Asked Questions
What score do I need on the Praxis to get certified in Arkansas?
You need at least 146 on the Praxis School Counselor exam (test code 5422). The 5422 replaced the older 5421, and DESE says it may still accept a previous version of the licensure test. If you have a 5421 score, ask ADE before you retest. Cut scores can change, so confirm with ADE or ETS before you register.
Do I need a teaching license to become a school counselor in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas dropped its teaching experience requirement, so you can earn school counselor certification without a teaching background. ETS lists the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422) for Arkansas’s K-12 school counseling initial license. Some preparation programs set additional assessment requirements, so verify those with your program.
How long does it take to get an Arkansas school counselor license after you apply?
Processing times vary based on how complete your application is and the state review process. Check AELS for your application’s status. Submitting a complete packet the first time, with transcripts, score reports and background checks in place, is the best way to avoid delays.
How do I renew my Arkansas school counselor certification?
Licenses renew every five years, and you can start any time during the fifth year. You’ll need state-mandated trainings on a five-year rotation, a newly cleared background check, and a renewal application through AELS. Educators employed in Arkansas public schools also complete 36 hours of professional development a year under their contracts.
Can I transfer my school counselor license from another state to Arkansas?
Yes, through reciprocity, but approval isn’t automatic. Start by requesting a reciprocity packet from the Office of Educator Licensure. Arkansas reviews out-of-state credentials, testing history, and qualifying experience to determine whether you need additional assessments. A licensure specialist will contact you about any gaps.
- Two pathways to certification: A master’s in school counseling is the most direct route. With a master’s in another field, eligibility depends on your prior degree and on completing an ADE-approved school counseling program of study.
- The exam is now the Praxis 5422: You need a 146 on the Praxis School Counselor exam. Older 5421 scores may still be accepted, so check with ADE before retesting.
- Professional development starts before your first license: ADE requires state-mandated training before it issues a standard license. Arkansas History may also apply depending on your pathway.
- Renewal runs on a five-year cycle: You’ll need the state-mandated trainings and new background checks. The 36-hour annual requirement is tied to employment in Arkansas public schools.
- Reciprocity is available but not automatic: Out-of-state counselors start by requesting a packet, and a licensure specialist decides whether you need more coursework or exams.
If you’re comparing programs, confirm that the one you choose leads to Arkansas licensure before you enroll. That one detail decides whether everything on this page works for you.
