Kansas School Counselor Certification
Kansas school counselor certification is issued by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). You’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling, a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor (5422) exam, and a fingerprint background check. Kansas offers two pathways — one for licensed teachers and one for those without a teaching background.
Kansas Links
Kansas school counselor certification is issued by KSDE — not the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, which handles LPC and LCPC licensure. If you’re working toward a school counselor license, KSDE is your agency. The state uses a three-tier structure: Provisional, Initial, and Professional. Most applicants coming straight out of a graduate program start with the Initial license. There are also two distinct pathways depending on whether you hold a Kansas teaching license — the Traditional Pathway for licensed teachers, and the Parallel Pathway for those without teaching experience. For a full overview of the career path and program options, see how to become a Kansas school counselor.
Read more about the Kansas Curricular Standards for School Counseling here.
Skip down the page to the certification pathway you’re interested in:
Initial Kansas School Counselor Certification
Experienced classroom teachers may be eligible for a Professional School Specialist license upon successful completion of a performance assessment. Learn more about this alternative pathway to becoming a school counselor in Kansas here.
Applicants without teaching experience in a Kansas public school may apply by meeting the requirements for an Initial School Specialist License, as listed below.
Once you hold the Initial license and complete one full school year — or two full semesters — of supervised work as a school counselor, you’re eligible for the Professional license, which is valid for five years. The Initial School Specialist License itself is valid for two years.
Step 1: Education Requirements
Earn a master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited institution, with a minimum 3.25 GPA in your graduate coursework. If you’re researching programs, see our guide to school counseling master’s programs.
- Earn a master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited institution of higher education, such as the following programs:Featured Programs:Sponsored School(s)
- If you do not have a teaching background, KSDE says your plan of study will include additional field experiences in schools. The exact structure may vary by university.
Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check
Before applying for your Initial School Specialist license, you’ll need to complete KSDE’s fingerprint background check process and pay the $57 processing fee. Complete KSDE’s current fingerprint/background-check process and confirm the accepted submission method on the KSDE fingerprint page before applying.
Step 3: Examination Requirements
You must pass the Praxis School Counselor (5422) exam — the current required exam, replacing the retired 5421. Learn more about taking the Praxis exam here.
Step 4: Know the Fees
License Application Fee: $60
Background Check Fee: $57
For more information about Kansas Licensure Application Fees, visit the KSDE website.
Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials
Your complete application is submitted online and includes the following materials:
- Completed profile and application for an Initial School Specialist license through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS)
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities submitted directly to KSDE
- Praxis exam score
- $60 application fee
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Your application for a Kansas School Counselor license is submitted online using the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS). Once you register for a username and password, select the “License Application” menu and access Form 1: Initial School Specialist License Application.
Processing times vary. Check KLAS or KSDE for current turnaround expectations.
Additional Information
For KLAS account help, contact 785-296-7935 or [email protected].
Kansas School Counselor Certification Renewal
Kansas school counselor licenses vary by tier: the Initial School Specialist License is valid for 2 years, while the Professional License is valid for 5 years. Renewal applications are completed online.
For applicants with a graduate degree, Kansas generally allows renewal based on 120 professional development points or 3 years of accredited experience during the current professional license period. A $60 renewal fee applies. Check KSDE’s current renewal options for the route that applies to you.
Learn more about renewal requirements here.
Additional Assistance
If you have questions about renewing your Kansas School Counselor license, contact a specialist at the Teacher Licensure and Accreditation department at 785-296-2288.
Kansas School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
To apply for a Kansas School Specialist License in School Counseling as an out-of-state applicant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Graduate degree and 3.25 graduate GPA
- Completion of an appropriate, approved program
- Current valid out-of-state school counselor license
- Accredited experience
- Recency: one year of teaching experience or eight semester credit hours completed within the last six years
- Kansas requires the current School Counselor assessment (Praxis 5422). Verify the current required passing score directly with KSDE or ETS before applying.
- $70 out-of-state application fee
- Criminal background check with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the FBI. To order a fingerprint card, complete the online submission form.
Your out-of-state application is submitted online using the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS).
For KLAS account help, contact 785-296-7935 or [email protected].
Additional Assistance
For all other questions about your application for a school counselor, contact a specialist at the Kansas Board of Education at 785-296-2280.
Kansas School Counseling Certification Resources
For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, see the following websites:
- Kansas Department of Education School Counseling Resources
- Kansas School Counselor Association
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a teaching license to become a certified school counselor in Kansas?
No. Kansas offers two pathways. The Traditional Pathway is for licensed Kansas teachers. The Parallel Pathway is for candidates without a teaching license — you complete the same master ‘s-level coursework, but KSDE requires additional field experiences in schools as part of your plan of study. The exact structure varies by university, so confirm requirements with your program and KSDE.
What exam do I need to pass for the Kansas school counselor certification?
Kansas requires the Praxis School Counselor (5422) exam. This replaced the older Praxis 5421, which was retired in September 2023. Verify the current required passing score directly with KSDE or on the ETS Praxis website before you register, as passing score requirements can be updated.
How long does it take to get a Kansas school counselor license after applying?
Processing times vary depending on the time of year and the completeness of your application. Check KLAS or KSDE directly for current turnaround expectations before you apply. Incomplete applications will take longer to process, so submit all required materials together.
How do I renew my Kansas school counselor license?
The Professional license is valid for five years and renewed online through KLAS. For applicants with a graduate degree, Kansas generally allows renewal based on 120 professional development points or 3 years of accredited experience during the license period. A $60 renewal fee applies. Contact the Teacher Licensure and Accreditation department at 785-296-2288 with questions, or review current options on the KSDE website.
Can I transfer my school counselor license from another state to Kansas?
Kansas offers licensure by reciprocity for out-of-state school counselors. You’ll need a valid license from your current state, a 3.25 graduate GPA, proof of accredited experience, a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor (5422), a criminal background check, and a $70 application fee. A recency requirement also applies — one year of teaching experience or eight semester credit hours within the last six years.
- Two pathways to certification — Kansas offers a Traditional Pathway for licensed teachers and a Parallel Pathway for candidates without a teaching background. Both require a master’s degree and the Praxis 5422 exam.
- Three license tiers — The Initial School Specialist License (valid two years) is the entry point. After one year of supervised work, you upgrade to the Professional license, valid for five years.
- The right exam is 5422 — The older Praxis 5421 was retired in September 2023. Register for the current School Counselor (5422) exam and verify the required passing score with KSDE or ETS before applying.
- Budget for fees upfront — Plan for a $57 background check fee and a $60 license application fee. Out-of-state applicants pay $70.
- Renewal has options — Professional license holders with a graduate degree can renew through 120 PD points or three years of accredited experience. Check KSDE for the route that fits your situation.
Ready to map out the full path to becoming a Kansas school counselor — from your master’s program to your first position?
