North Carolina School Counselor Certification

School counselors in North Carolina serve more than 1.5 million students located in 2,557 schools across 244 districts in the state. Counselors use the American School Counselor Association (ACSA) national model training to implement comprehensive school counseling programs.

If you would like more information about this model and its use in counseling students across North Carolina, visit the American School Counselor Association website.

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

• Initial School Counseling Certification
• Certification Renewal
• Certification Through Reciprocity
• Additional Certification Resources

Initial North Carolina School Counselor Certification

The Initial License in North Carolina is for any applicant who has completed the required education but who has not yet completed the required testing. The Continuing Professional Educator’s License (CPL) is for applicants who have completed both the education and testing requirements. The CPL is valid for five (5) years.

Step 1: Education Requirements

• Completion of a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, such as the following programs:

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  Featured Programs:

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  • 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: Criminal Background Check

There is no pre-application requirement for criminal background checking in North Carolina. All fingerprinting and criminal history check requirements are completed at the school district level.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

Earn a score of 156 or greater on the School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5422). For more information about this exam, or to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Know the Fees

The CPL application fee is $70, payable through the NCDPI online licensure system.

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your application materials include the following:

• Completed profile and application through the through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NDPI) online licensure system
• Degree-dated official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score for the School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5422)
• $70 application fee, payable through the online licensure system

Step 6: Submit Your Application

North Carolina applications are submitted online using the NCDPI Online Licensure System.

Your official documents, including transcripts, are uploaded into the online application portal.

Additional Information

If you would like to speak with a licensure specialist, you can contact the NCDPI Licensure Office at 800-577-7994 or [email protected].

North Carolina School Counselor Certification Renewal

The North Carolina Continuing Professional License (CPL) is renewed each five (5) years after April 14th of the expiration year.

School counselors must submit proof of professional development hours to renew their CPL. North Carolina requires at least 8 CEUs or 80 clock-hours of continuing education courses, which must include the following:

• 3 CEUs or 30 clock-hours of education related to the school counseling discipline
• 2 CEUs or 20 clock-hours of education related to digital learning
• 3 CEUs or 30 clock-hours of education related to general instruction

Your earned CEUs must be completed prior to the expiration date of your CPL. Approved activities for the professional development requirement include college or university courses, in-service courses or workshops, and classes and workshops approved by your local school district.

The fee to renew your license is $35, payable at the time of renewal.

The CPL renewal application is completed online through the NCDPI Online Licensure System.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional information about renewing your North Carolina license, contact the NCDPI Licensure Office at 800-577-7994.

North Carolina School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

If you are an out-of-state applicant, you will need to submit proof of passing scores on the required examination, or an equivalent exam, before you are issued a Continuing Professional Educator’s License. Your complete application, including supporting documentation and application fee, must be submitted online.

Your application materials include:

• Completed profile and application through the NCDPI Online Licensure System
• Degree-dated official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score for the School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5422) or passing score for an equivalent exam approved by your current licensing state
• A copy of your current, valid school counseling license
• Completed Non-Teaching Experience Verification form(s) that validates experience directly related to your area of license
• $100 out-of-state application fee, payable through the online licensure system

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact the licensure office at 800-577-7994 during normal business hours, or via email at [email protected].

North Carolina School Counseling Certification Resources

For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, see the following websites:

• North Carolina School Counselor Association
• American School Counselor Association
• National Board of Certified Counselors

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