How to Become a Washington School Counselor

Do you aspire to become a school counselor in Washington State, but aren’t sure where to get started? Fear not: the requirements to become a school counselor in Washington are simple and straightforward, allowing you to pursue your career goals with ease.

Washington is a terrific place to pursue your guidance counselor education and from there, launch a thriving career supporting students of all ages.

So what do you need to become a school counselor in the state of Washington? The qualifications for guidance counselors are the same all over the state, but your path will depend on where you are in your educational journey. Click below to find the guidelines that match your circumstances:

• I’m a High School Graduate…
• I have already earned a college degree…
• I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Washington. Some of the information below may be subject to change. In order to make sure you have the most current information, please feel free to contact your school counseling education program advisor or contact the Washington Department of Education licensing department at (206) 753-6775.

I’m a High School Graduate…

As a high school graduate looking into the growing field of Washington school counseling, you are in a fantastic place to learn more about the career before having to make any committing moves. Whether you are from Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, or anywhere else across Washington, you will find resources that will help you further your education and learn more about the field of education in the state of Washington.

Below are recommended steps to help you learn how to begin advancing your current level of education as well as learn whether a career as a Washington school counselor is right for you.

Step One: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

Since as a certified school counselor you will need to hold a master’s degree, if you have not yet completed your undergraduate education, you will need to start your school counseling journey by obtaining a bachelor’s degree. While you are not required to major in a topic related to school counseling in order to qualify for master’s programs later, it is recommended to choose concentrations such as Psychology, Counseling, or Education, as these will give you a strong foundation of knowledge in your graduate studies down the line.

Step Two: Explore Local Volunteer Opportunities

A great way to find out if you are interested in a social service type of career, like school counseling, is to find volunteering organizations who work with children or young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of Washington:

• Brother Big Sisters of Pugent Sound, Washington
• List of Washington’s school districts and their websites

Finally, don’t stop now! Use the information above to learn more about what it’s like to work in an educational setting with student-aged individuals. Remember, your research is only as valuable as what you can do with it.

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I have already earned a college degree…

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you’re qualified to pursue guidance counselor schooling at the graduate level.

Step One: Obtain Your Master’s Degree

One of the strictest requirements to become a guidance counselor in Washington and the rest of the country is that you hold a master’s degree (or higher). There are several types of master’s degrees that will prepare students for guidance counselor credentials, including School Counseling proper, Counseling Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling, Educational Psychology with a concentration in Guidance Counseling, and other similar pathways. The pathway you choose may determine the emphasis of your program, but all of these options will prepare you for credentialing exams upon graduation.

Typically, master’s programs for school counselors take 2.5 to three years to complete when taken on a full-time schedule. Many programs offer online delivery formats, making school significantly more accessible for many students. It’s worth noting that in addition to guidance counselor classes, all master’s students will be expected to complete field internships as a significant part of their coursework, and this will need to take place on-campus at a K-12 institution even if the rest of your program is delivered online. Fortunately, you should be able to select a school that is convenient to wherever you are located. 

Find programs offered in Washington here.

Step Two: Take Your Credentialing Exam

In addition to your graduate degree, you will need to complete a comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the coursework required in a counseling master’s degree program. In Washington State, the credential for school counselors is called the Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certificate. This is an important step in meeting qualifications for guidance counselor certification in Washington.

The examination must be offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or the National Counselor Examination (NCE) offered through the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Step Three: Apply for Your Credential

If you have reached this step, congratulations! You have passed your ESA exam and are ready to be awarded your credential.

Typically, your counseling preparation institution will help you by taking care of the paperwork for the application process. For the type of forms necessary for both in-state applicants and out-of-state applicants for Washington school counselor certification, visit the State of Washington Certification page and look for the “Educational Staff Associates” link at the top of the page. Through this link you will find school counselor certification instructions and applications.

If you have more questions regarding the application and certification process for Washington school counselors, contact a licensure representative at the following number: (360) 725-6400

In addition, for criminal background and fingerprinting information, call the OSPI Fingerprint Office at (360) 725-6135.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Out-of-state school counselors who are interested in taking advantage of Washington State’s excellent guidance counselor salaries (see above) are in luck: the state makes it quite easy to transfer your existing license through reciprocity agreements. However, you will still need to complete an application, have your credentials evaluated and complete a criminal background check before you will be awarded Washington school counselor certification.

Read the information on the following Washington Department of Education webpage and download the certification application that fits your description.

If you have further question for a your particular case, then call a Washington certification representative at the following number: (360) 725-6400

FAQs

What degree do I need to be a counselor at K-12 schools in Washington State?

In Washington State as well as the rest of the country, school counselors are expected to hold master’s degrees related to school counseling in order to qualify for credentials. These can be Master of Arts, Master of Education, or Master of Science degrees in fields such as School Counseling, Counseling Psychology, and Educational Psychology. If you are interested in a program offered by a department that is not School Counseling proper, it’s important to make sure they offer a concentration pathway in Guidance Counseling that is designed to prepare you for qualifying exams.

How long does it take to be a guidance counselor?

Guidance counselor schooling typically takes 2.5 to three years to complete. As soon as you’re done with your classes, you’ll be ready for your credentialing exams, after which you can dive into your dream career.

Does Washington State offer certification reciprocity for those who are credentialed in other states?

Yes! Washington’s reciprocity model is among the simplest and most straightforward you can find: those who hold valid credentials in other states can apply for certification in Washington state, upon which they can begin working in schools across the state.

What is the difference between a school counselor vs. school social worker?

Though their roles may overlap, a school counselor plays a multifaceted role on school campuses, working directly with individual students as well as acting as an organizer, intermediary, and educator who brings in teachers and parents alongside students to work with the community as a whole. School social workers are focused more specifically on serving students in need, helping those who are under-resourced or struggling with mental health challenges. The key distinction between these professions is your training and the emphasis of your day to day work, though both can make a significant impact on young people.

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