Maryland Links

Maryland School Counselor Certification

School counselors in Maryland are certified to address three specific growth areas for the more than 860,000 students located in 1,449 schools across the state:

Personal and academic development
Educational and career decision-making
Social and emotional development and interpersonal relationships

Featured Programs:

Top Picks
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
#1
Walden University
MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.
#2
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.
#3
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.
#4
University of Denver
Earn a Master's degree in School Counseling online from the University of Denver. Learn from doctoral-level faculty in live classes and gain experience through mock counseling and in-field training. No GRE required. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

Most elementary schools in Maryland employ one counselor, while secondary schools employ two to five counselors, depending on the number of students.

Skip down the page to the certification pathway you’re interested in:

Initial Maryland School Counselor Certification

Step 1: Education Requirements

Applicants can qualify for Maryland school counselor certification through a number of pathways:

Earn a Maryland-approved or Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-approved master’s degree in school counseling, along with three semester hours of special education coursework
Earn a master’s degree in school counseling or school guidance and counseling, along with:
1. three semester hours of special education coursework
2. a valid National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) certificate
3. Two years of satisfactory performance as a teacher or school counselor in a school setting
Earn a master’s degree in school counseling or school guidance and counseling, along with:
1. three semester hours of special education coursework
2. a valid National Board Certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in School Counseling

To learn more about accredited online programs, contact the following schools:

Featured Programs:

Top Picks
Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs
#1
Walden University
MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact Walden University and request information about their programs.
#2
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.
#3
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.
#4
University of Denver
Earn a Master's degree in School Counseling online from the University of Denver. Learn from doctoral-level faculty in live classes and gain experience through mock counseling and in-field training. No GRE required. Click here to contact University of Denver and request information about their programs.

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Upon confirmation of your eligibility for certification, you will be asked to submit materials for a background check. The Maryland Department of Education will notify you via email your complete application packet has been reviewed and approved.

Direct any questions to the Maryland Department of Education at 410-767-0390 or [email protected].

Step 3: Examination Requirements

There are no examination requirements for certification as a Maryland school counselor.

Step 4: Know the Fees

Upon review of your application, the Maryland Department of Education will notify you via email when it is time to submit your fee.

The fee for initial certification is $10.

FIND SCHOOLS

Step 5: Apply for Certification

All applications must be completed through the Educator Application and Credentialing Hub (TEACH).

Learn more about creating an account and applying through TEACH here.

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your School Counselor certification application, contact the Certification Assistance Line at 1-866-772-8922.

Maryland School Counselor Certification Renewal

To renew your Maryland school counselor certificate, you must submit six (6) acceptable continuing education credits. The credit requirements include:

One (1) semester hour of college coursework; or
One (1) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course; or
An equivalent amount of Continuing Education Units (CPUs) based on the following topics:
- Intervention services and/or referral services for mental illness and behavioral distress
- Resources and other best practice models for assisting students and their families who are in crisis

More information on renewal requirements can be found here.

Additional Assistance

If you need assistance with your Maryland certification renewal, contact the Certification Assistance Line at 1-866-772-8922.

Maryland School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

You can apply for certification through reciprocity if you currently are licensed/certified as a school counselor in another state AND have at least 27 months of satisfactory performance as a school counselor. You must also complete three semester hours of special education coursework and apply for certification through the Educator Application and Credentialing Hub (TEACH) portal.