Michigan Links

Michigan School Counselor Certification

There are close to 7,000 school counselors in Michigan who provide services to over 1.5 million public school students. Michigan’s public school counselors use the Michigan Model of Health to design comprehensive education-based services for students in kindergarten through grade 12. This model addresses student social and emotional health, nutrition and physical activity, substance abuse, and safety issues for children and adolescents.

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.

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

Initial Michigan School Counselor Certification

Applicants for a Michigan school counselor license who have not yet completed a master’s degree may be eligible for a preliminary authorization. For detailed information about required materials for the Preliminary Employment Authorization to Work as School Counselor, visit this webpage.

The Michigan School Counselor License is valid for five (5) years. To be eligible for this initial license, you must meet the following requirements:

Step 1: Education Requirements

Completion of at least 30 graduate level credits in an approved school counselor program, such as the following programs:
Sponsored School(s)
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.
Complete an internship of at least 600 clock hours, 300 of which must be within a school setting. During your internship, you must work under the supervision of a credentialed school counselor or school counselor educator.

Learn more about the requirements to become licensed as a school counselor in Michigan here.

FIND SCHOOLS

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Once you are offered a position for employment, you will be required to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. Learn more about the Michigan criminal background check procedure here.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

Applicants for school counselor must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification-School Counselor (051) examination. This test includes 100-multiple choice questions and is computer based. You must earn a passing score of 220 or higher.

The testing fee for this exam is $129. For more information, or to register for a test date, visit the MTTC website.

Step 4: Know the Fees

School Guidance Counselor License Application Fee: $160

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

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

Completed application through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS)
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
Proof of passing scores for the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification-School Counselor (051) examination
If you have not earned a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, you must also submit a Work Experience Report Form for Michigan School Counselor License, located here
$160 School Counselor license application fee

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for Michigan School Counselor license is submitted online, using the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your School Counselor license application, contact the Michigan Department of Education Educator Certification department at 833-633-5788.

Michigan School Counselor Certification Renewal

The Michigan school counselor license is valid for five (5) years. Renewal applications are completed online.

Renewals can be requested any time after January 1 of the expiration year.

Your renewal application includes the following materials:

$160 Renewal application fee
150 professional development credits, to be completed within the previous five (5) years. These credits must include the following requirement:
- 25 hours of college preparation and selection; and
- 25 hours of career consultation, including at least five (5) hours of military career consultation options

Learn more about renewal requirements here.

Additional Assistance

If you need to speak with a specialist about your school counselor renewal, contact the educator certification support desk at 833-633-5788 or [email protected].

Michigan School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

The Michigan Department of Education will evaluate your application for an out-of-state license provided you complete the following requirements:

Completed master’s degree or higher in school counseling, including internship in a school setting or an earned bachelor’s degree and successful employment as a school counselor for five (5) of the previous seven (7) years with a valid school counselor endorsement from another state
Passing score on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification-School Counselor (051) examination. For more information, or to register for a test date, visit the MTTC website
Copy of current, valid license
If you have not earned a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, you must also submit a Work Experience Report Form for Michigan School Counselor License, located here
$210 Out-of-state School Guidance Counselor License application fee

Learn more about applying as an out-of-state candidate here.