Louisiana School Counselor Certification
Louisiana school counselors must complete a CACREP-accredited master’s degree, a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour school internship, pass the Praxis School Counselor exam, and submit a fingerprint-based background check. The initial Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate is valid for five years. Applications are submitted through the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) system at the Louisiana Educator Portal.
Louisiana Links
If you’re working toward school counselor certification in Louisiana, the path is clearly defined — a CACREP-accredited master’s degree, supervised fieldwork, a state exam, and an online application through the Louisiana Department of Education. Here’s what each of those steps actually involves.
Looking for Abundant School Counselor Opportunities? Check Out Lake Charles
If you’re mapping out where to build your school counseling career in Louisiana, Lake Charles is worth a close look. According to May 2024 BLS data, the Lake Charles metro area employs around 830 school counselors at a mean annual wage of $82,200, well above both the state mean of $68,170 and the national mean for the occupation.
Demand for school counselors remains steady across Louisiana’s urban and rural districts, making the state a strong market for both new and experienced counselors.
2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012). Data accessed March 2025.
Initial Louisiana School Counselor Certification
If you’re new to the field, you’ll start by applying for your Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate. It’s valid for five years and authorizes you to provide counseling services to students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Step 1: Education Requirements
Louisiana requires a master’s degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program — or a master’s degree in a related counseling field paired with at least six credit hours of school counseling coursework from a CACREP-accredited program. If you’re weighing your options, our guide to school counseling master’s programs covers what to look for before you enroll.
You’ll also need to complete:
- A practicum in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, including at least 100 contact hours
- An internship in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program, including at least 600 contact hours in a school setting
If you already hold a current Louisiana teaching certificate, you may be eligible to add the school counselor endorsement directly to your existing certificate through the School Counselor (K-12) Add-on Endorsement route — a simpler pathway if you’re already in the classroom.
Step 2: Complete a Criminal Background Check
Louisiana requires a comprehensive, fingerprint-based criminal background check for certification, which must be completed before your application can be started in the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) system. The check is processed through the Louisiana State Police.
For current background check instructions and requirements, follow the guidance in the LEC Applicant Guide available through the LDOE certification portal.
Step 3: Examination Requirements
To qualify for your Louisiana school counselor certificate, you’ll need to pass the current Praxis School Counselor exam. Louisiana’s required test code and qualifying score are published on the Teach Louisiana website — check the current Louisiana Praxis requirements chart for the exact figures before registering, as these may change. To register for the exam or access preparation materials, visit the Praxis School Counselor exam page on the ETS website.
Step 4: Application Fee
License Application Fee: $50
Application fees are paid using Visa, MasterCard, or a bank debit card through the online portal. For current fee details, see the Louisiana certification fee chart.
Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials
Your complete application is submitted online and includes the following:
- Completed profile and application through the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) system, accessed via the Louisiana Educator Portal (LEP) using your MyLa account
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits that led to your earned degree.
- Copy of your Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license, if applicable
- Proof of passing scores from the Praxis School Counselor exam
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Applications for Louisiana school counselor certification are submitted online through the Louisiana Educator Certification (LEC) system, which is part of the Louisiana Educator Portal (LEP). Sign in using your MyLa account to access the application.
If you have questions about your application, contact a certification specialist by submitting an inquiry form on the LDOE website or by calling the Department of Education toll-free at 877-453-2721.
Louisiana School Counselor Certification Renewal
The Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate is valid for five years and may be renewed for additional five-year periods. Renewal is initiated at the request of the employing Louisiana school system and requires at least three effective evaluations during the certificate’s validity period, as verified under Bulletin 746.
Renewal applications are submitted online through the Louisiana Educator Portal (LEP). For renewal instructions and current requirements, visit the Teach Louisiana website or contact a specialist toll-free at 877-453-2721.
Louisiana School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
Louisiana doesn’t have a formal reciprocity agreement with other states, so out-of-state certification doesn’t transfer automatically. You’ll need to apply through the standard certification process. If you hold a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential issued by another state, you can include it as part of your application materials.
Out-of-state applicants submit their application online through the Louisiana Educator Portal and must include:
- Completed profile and application
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Proof of passing scores from the Praxis School Counselor exam
- Copies of current, valid licenses — including your LPC and any other counseling credentials issued by another state
- $50 application fee, paid by Visa, MasterCard, or bank debit card
For questions about your out-of-state application, submit an inquiry form or call the Certification department at 877-453-2721.
Louisiana School Counseling Certification Resources
These organizations offer resources for continuing education, professional development, and career support:
- Louisiana Counseling Association
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
What exam do I need to pass for the Louisiana school counselor certification?
Louisiana requires passage of the Praxis School Counselor exam. The current test code and required qualifying score are published on Louisiana’s Praxis requirements chart, available through the Teach Louisiana website. Always verify the current requirements directly with the Louisiana Department of Education before registering, as exam requirements can change. You can also reach a certification specialist at 877-453-2721.
What does the background check process involve in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a fingerprint-based, comprehensive criminal background check for certification, processed through the Louisiana State Police. This check must be completed before you can start your certification application in the LEC system, not something you arrange after you’ve been hired. Full instructions are available in the LEC Applicant Guide through the Louisiana Educator Portal. Contact the LDOE at 877-453-2721 if you have questions about the process.
How do I renew my Louisiana school counselor certification?
The Ancillary School Counselor (K-12) certificate is renewable every 5 years. Renewal is requested by your employing Louisiana school system and requires at least 3 effective evaluations during your current certificate’s validity period, consistent with Bulletin 746. Renewal applications are submitted through the Louisiana Educator Portal (LEP). For current renewal guidance, visit the Teach Louisiana website or call 877-453-2721.
If I’m already certified in another state, can I transfer my license to Louisiana?
Louisiana doesn’t have a formal reciprocity program, so out-of-state certification doesn’t transfer automatically. You’ll go through the standard initial certification process. If you hold a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential from another state, you can include it as a supporting document with your application. Contact the Louisiana Department of Education at 877-453-2721 or submit an inquiry form for guidance on your specific situation.
- CACREP-accredited master’s required — Louisiana requires a CACREP-accredited master’s in school counseling, or a master’s in a related field, plus six credit hours of school counseling coursework from a CACREP program.
- Fieldwork hours are substantial — Plan for a 100-hour practicum plus a 600-hour school internship before you’re eligible to apply for certification.
- The Praxis exam is required — Passing the current Praxis School Counselor exam is mandatory. Check Louisiana’s current Praxis requirements chart for the exact test code and qualifying score before registering.
- Background check comes first — Louisiana requires a fingerprint-based criminal background check through the Louisiana State Police before your application can be started in LEC.
- Renewal is evaluation-based — Certificates renew at your employing school system’s request, provided there are at least 3 effective evaluations during the validity period.
- No formal reciprocity — Out-of-state credentials don’t transfer automatically, but you’ll apply through the standard process and can include any valid counseling licenses with your application.
Ready to map out the full path to becoming a school counselor in Louisiana? Certification requirements are one piece of the picture.
