How to Become a School Counselor in Minnesota
To become a school counselor in Minnesota, earn a master’s in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited or state-approved program, including a supervised practicum and internship. Then apply to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) for a Tier 3 license. There’s no licensing exam, but you’ll need a fingerprint-based background check. Most people finish in six to seven years.
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In Minnesota, you can become a school counselor without passing a licensing exam. That doesn’t make the path short. You’ll still need a master’s degree, supervised fieldwork, and a PELSB license, and the order matters.
How School Counselor Licensing Works in Minnesota
Minnesota uses a tiered licensing system, and for school counselors there’s no Tier 1. Most program graduates apply for Tier 3. It requires a master’s degree in school counseling and proof that you completed a state-approved or CACREP-accredited preparation program. You don’t need a job offer to apply. PELSB’s school counselor licensure summary lays out each tier’s requirements.
Tier 2 is a district-requested license, and you can qualify in two ways. You can hold a master’s degree in counseling. Or you can be enrolled in an accredited school counseling program after earning a bachelor’s degree. On that route, you’ll also need at least 24 semester credits of school-counseling-specific coursework. Either way, the hiring district must request the license. The enrolled-student route also comes with extra requirements for your program and the district. For Tier 4, renewal hours, and other tier details, see the Minnesota school counselor certification requirements.
One distinction worth sorting out early: a school counselor license comes from PELSB and covers work in K-12 schools. The LPC and LPCC are clinical counseling licenses issued by a different agency, the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. They’re separate career paths, so make sure the program you choose leads to the license you want.
Once you’re working, the Minnesota School Counselor Association (MSCA) offers professional development and a statewide network of counselors who know the local landscape.
Where are you on your path to becoming a Minnesota school counselor?
I’m a High School Graduate…
If you’re just starting out, the first thing to know is that a high school diploma alone won’t get you there. To practice as a school counselor in Minnesota, you need a master’s degree and a state license, so there’s real education ahead of you. But you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Here’s where to begin.
Step One: Apply to Associate’s or Bachelor’s Programs
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree before you can start a master’s program. Your major doesn’t have to be school counseling. Psychology, social work, and education all provide a useful foundation when you apply to graduate school. Starting with an associate’s degree at a community college can lower your costs, as long as your credits transfer into a bachelor’s program.
Step Two: Make Sure That This is What You’re Interested In
A great way to see if this work is right for you is to volunteer with organizations that support children and young adults. You’ll get a realistic sense of what it’s like to support kids who are struggling, and you’ll have something concrete to talk about in graduate school applications.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Some organizations that may be able to place you in volunteering positions across the state of Minnesota include:
Once you’ve confirmed your interest and completed your undergraduate degree, you’re ready to move on to the steps below.
I have already earned a college degree…
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, the following steps will take you the rest of the way to a Minnesota school counselor license.
Step One: Graduate School
Your program choice decides whether you qualify for Tier 3, so this is the step to get right. You’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling, and PELSB will ask you to verify that you completed a state-approved or CACREP-accredited preparation program.
The rules for programs themselves changed recently. Under Minnesota rules effective July 1, 2026, a Minnesota-based school counseling program needs one of two credentials. To recommend candidates for licensure, it must hold CACREP accreditation or PELSB approval. The state-approved route is narrow. It’s built for people who already hold a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field. They complete part of a CACREP-accredited program to fill the gaps. If you’re starting with a bachelor’s degree, you’re looking at a CACREP-accredited master’s program.
Seven Minnesota-based universities offer a CACREP-accredited school counseling program. That count comes from CACREP’s register, as of our review on September 30, 2026. Five are public universities, and two are online universities headquartered in Minneapolis. You can check the current list in CACREP’s program directory. Most Minnesota programs run about 60 semester credits, which usually means two to three years of study depending on whether you go full time.
Take Jordan, who finished a psychology degree three years ago and now works as a paraprofessional at a middle school. Before applying anywhere, Jordan asks every program two questions: Is it CACREP-accredited? And how does it schedule the internship, since quitting the paraprofessional job isn’t an option until the last year? Those two answers narrow the list fast.
There’s no exam to plan around. Minnesota doesn’t require school counselors to pass a content, pedagogy, or basic skills test, so you don’t need to schedule the Praxis. Compare options on our master’s degree in school counseling page.
Step Two: Complete Fieldwork Hours
Fieldwork is built into CACREP-accredited programs, so you’ll complete these hours as part of your degree. CACREP’s accreditation standards require at least:
- 100 hours of practicum, including 40 hours of direct service. This is a closely supervised early experience where you observe and begin working with students.
- 600 hours of internship, including 240 hours of direct service. This is a more independent placement where you take on fuller counseling responsibilities.
These hours are accreditation standards, not a separate state licensing rule, so ask your program how it counts and documents them. The internship is where the job gets real. You’ll manage a caseload, work alongside teachers and administrators, and support students through academic and personal problems that don’t fit neatly into a 30-minute appointment. Most placements happen during the school day, so plan your work schedule around them early.
Step Three: Get a Background Check
First-time PELSB applicants complete a fingerprint background check, which PELSB sends to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. PELSB doesn’t accept electronic or scanned prints, so you’ll need a printed fingerprint card. Check PELSB’s fingerprint page for how to get the right card. Have your prints taken at a local law enforcement office or another fingerprinting location. Then mail the card with your application materials. PELSB’s 30-day processing time starts only once it has your complete application, including the background check results.
Step Four: Apply for Your Minnesota School Counselor License
If you’ve finished an approved program, you’ll apply online for a Tier 3 license through the PELSB website. You’ll provide transcripts showing your master’s degree, verification that you completed the preparation program, and your fingerprint card. You don’t need a job offer first, so you can apply before you start interviewing.
If a district wants to hire you before you finish, it can request a Tier 2 license instead. You’ll need to meet the enrolled-student requirements described above. For current fees, see the full PELSB application checklist.
I’m a certified counselor from another state…
If you’re licensed in another state, PELSB will review your preparation and experience to see how they line up with Minnesota’s requirements. Your license doesn’t transfer automatically, and you’ll still need a Minnesota background check.
Our guide to the out-of-state licensing process for Minnesota walks through the application and what documentation to gather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the educational requirements to become a school counselor in Minnesota?
You need a master’s degree in school counseling and verified completion of a CACREP-accredited or state-approved preparation program to qualify for a Tier 3 license. Your bachelor’s degree can be in any field, though psychology, social work, or education provides a useful foundation. Most people finish a bachelor’s degree first, then complete a two- to three-year master’s program.
Is teaching experience required to become a school counselor in Minnesota?
No. School counselors work closely with teachers, but Minnesota doesn’t require classroom teaching experience. The practicum and internship hours in your master’s program are what show you’re ready for the role.
Can I work as a school counselor while I’m still in my program?
A district can request a Tier 2 license once you’ve earned 24 semester credits of school counseling coursework. A Tier 3 or Tier 4 counselor supervises you, and the job must be structured as a learning experience. The role can’t replace a Tier 3 or Tier 4 licensed counselor, and your accredited program must verify your coursework. It depends on whether a district offers you a position, so don’t build your plan around that.
How long does it take to become a licensed school counselor in Minnesota?
Typically six to seven years: four years for a bachelor’s degree, followed by two to three years for a master’s degree. If you already have a bachelor’s, plan on two to three years. CACREP-accredited programs build fieldwork into the program, so it usually doesn’t add time beyond the degree itself.
Can I complete my fieldwork while working another job?
It depends on the program and the placement. Many master’s programs schedule fieldwork during school hours, which can make it hard to maintain full-time outside employment. Some programs offer more flexible scheduling, and some practicum placements have more options than others. Ask any program you’re considering how it typically structures fieldwork before you enroll.
- Tier 3 is the goal. Finish a CACREP-accredited or state-approved preparation program with your master’s and you can apply for Tier 3 without a job offer.
- No exam required. Minnesota doesn’t require school counselors to pass a content, pedagogy, or basic skills test.
- Fieldwork is built in. CACREP standards call for at least 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours, including direct service with students.
- Tier 2 can let you work while you finish. A hiring district can request a supervised Tier 2 license once you’ve earned 24 semester credits of school counseling coursework.
- Plan for six to seven years. That’s four for a bachelor’s degree and two to three for a master’s.
In Minnesota, your license depends on finishing an approved program, so choosing the right one is the decision that matters most. Start by comparing CACREP-accredited school counseling programs and how each one schedules practicum and internship placements.
