How to Become a Florida School Counselor
To become a school counselor in Florida, you’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related field, 600 hours of supervised internship experience, and passing scores on the Florida Teacher Certification Exams. The full path takes six to eight years. Your specific steps depend on where you are in your education right now.
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Where are you on your path to becoming a Florida school counselor?
That question matters because the steps look different depending on whether you’re starting from a high school diploma, already have a bachelor’s degree, or are a certified counselor moving from another state. Florida’s requirements are concrete — a specific degree, specific exams, a background check — and working through them in the right order saves you time.
Explore the section below that fits your situation. Some requirements are subject to change. For the most current information, contact your school counseling program advisor or the Florida Department of Education‘s certification office at (800) 445-6739.
I’m a High School Graduate…
A high school diploma is your starting point. To qualify for school counselor certification in Florida, you’ll need both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. That’s several years of schooling ahead of you — but it’s also time to gain experience in educational settings and confirm this career is the right fit.
Step One: Pursue Your Undergraduate Education
Florida requires a master’s degree for school counselor certification, so you’ll need a bachelor’s degree first. Your undergraduate major doesn’t need to be in counseling or education — any field qualifies you to apply to a master’s program. That said, coursework in psychology, social work, education, or child development will give you a solid foundation for what comes next.
Step Two: Explore Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with young people before you’re in a school full-time is one of the best ways to test whether this kind of work fits you. Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) chapters across Florida offer mentoring programs where you’ll work directly with children and get a real sense of the challenges counselors navigate — family stress, academic struggles, questions about the future.
Florida BBBS chapters include:
- BBBS of Northeast Florida
- BBBS of Florida Tampa Bay
- BBBS of Central Florida
- BBBS of Miami, Florida
- BBBS of Northwest Florida
You can also contact the Florida School District Database to find schools near you with volunteer opportunities.
School counseling is demanding and best understood from the inside. Getting into a school setting early — even as a volunteer — will help you decide whether to commit to a master’s program with confidence.
I have already earned a college degree…
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, you’re ready to start the path to Florida school counselor certification. Here are the steps.
Step One: Obtain a Master’s Degree
Florida certifies school counselors under two plans, and which one applies to you depends on the type of master’s degree you earn.
Plan 1 applies if your master’s degree has a graduate major specifically in guidance and counseling or school counseling. Your program must include a minimum of 600 clock hours of supervised internship experience with school-aged students in a pre-K, elementary, or secondary school setting.
Plan 2 applies if your master’s degree is in a related counseling field — but not specifically in guidance or school counseling. This route requires additional graduate coursework in student assessment methods, college and career planning, and the principles of comprehensive school counseling programs. You’ll also need to complete 600 supervised internship hours. During your first two years as a Florida school counselor, your employer will assign a mentor — a counselor with a state-issued professional certificate — to support your transition.
For most students, Plan 1 is the more direct path. Look for programs specifically designed to meet Florida’s certification requirements. Degree options include:
- Master of School Counseling
- Master of Counseling Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling
- Master of Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling
Online programs have expanded your options significantly. What matters most is that the program is designed to prepare you for Florida’s certification exams and fieldwork requirements — not just any counseling credential.
Step Two: Pass Your Certification Exams
After graduation, you’ll need to pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) for school counseling. As of 2025, all applicants must pass two exams: the Subject Area Exam in Guidance and Counseling (PK–12) and the Professional Education exam.
If you didn’t take the CLAST exam before July 1, 2002 — which applies to most applicants today — you’ll take the General Knowledge Test instead. Confirm with the Florida Department of Education which exams apply to your specific situation before you register.
Your graduate program should prepare you for these exams. Dedicated review still helps. Study groups, practice exams, and a systematic review of your coursework all make a real difference — you won’t qualify for a K-12 school counselor position in Florida without passing scores.
Step Three: Apply for Certification
Once you’ve passed your exams, submit your application to the Florida Department of Education through their online certification system.
You’ll need to include official transcripts from all colleges you’ve attended, documentation of any existing certifications, and a processing fee. Once submitted, specialists at the Bureau of Educator Certification will review your materials and determine your eligibility.
If eligible, you’ll receive an Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE), which is valid for three years. The SOE outlines any remaining steps before your full certificate is issued. Questions? Call (800) 445-6739.
Step Four: Submit Fingerprints for Background Check
After receiving your SOE and accepting a position, your employer will coordinate the fingerprint-based background check with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the FBI. Don’t initiate this process without employer assistance — doing so may require repeating it. Your full professional certificate is issued once the background screening clears.
I’m a certified counselor from another state…
If you hold a current school counselor certification from another state, Florida offers a reciprocity pathway. As long as your certification is valid and comparable to Florida’s standard or Level II certification, the Florida Department of Education can issue you a Florida school counselor certificate through a standard certification application.
Your hiring school district will handle the fingerprinting and background check process once you’re hired.
Florida does not offer reciprocity for mental health counseling licenses (LMHC) — that’s a separate pathway governed by a different board. Specifically for school counselor certification, the reciprocity process is more straightforward. Counselors who hold a valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) automatically qualify.
For more details, visit the Florida Department of Education certification FAQ page and scroll to “Reciprocity.”
Florida’s Job Market for School Counselors
Florida consistently ranks among the top five states in the country for school counselor employment. According to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 21,000 school counselors work in Florida’s elementary, middle, and high schools — giving you a stable job market when you complete your certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a school counselor in Florida?
You need a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related counseling field. Florida certifies school counselors under two plans. Plan 1 applies to degrees with a graduate major specifically in guidance and counseling or school counseling. Plan 2 covers other counseling degrees and requires additional coursework in specific content areas.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Florida?
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, plan on roughly two to three years to complete a master’s program on a full-time schedule, including your internship hours. Starting in high school, the full path takes six to eight years: four years for a bachelor’s degree plus two to three years for a master’s degree.
How many internship hours are required?
As of 2025, both Plan 1 and Plan 2 require a minimum of 600 clock hours of supervised internship experience. Those hours must be completed in a school setting with school-aged students in pre-K through secondary. Your graduate program structures and supervises this experience. For more on what to expect during your fieldwork, see how internships shape school counselors.
Can I work while completing my internship?
Many students do, but it takes planning. Florida internship hours are typically completed during the school day, in fall and spring terms only. If you’re working full-time, ask your program directly about scheduling before you apply — this is one of the most common logistical challenges students face.
How can I find school counselor jobs in Florida?
Florida’s 67 school districts employ counselors statewide. Your internship is often the most direct path to your first position — you’ll build relationships with staff and administrators while demonstrating your skills in real time. You can also search district job boards directly or contact schools through the Florida School District Database.
- Plan 1 vs. Plan 2 — Florida certifies school counselors under two plans based on your master’s degree type. Plan 1 is the more direct path for most students.
- 600 internship hours required — Both plans require at least 600 supervised clock hours in a school setting. Confirm how your program schedules them before you enroll.
- FTCE exams come after graduation — You’ll need to pass the Subject Area Exam in Guidance and Counseling (PK–12) and the Professional Education exam once your master’s is complete.
- Florida’s job market is strong — More than 21,000 school counselors work across the state’s K-12 schools, and Florida consistently ranks in the top five nationally for counselor employment.
- Your internship is your foot in the door — Most counselors land their first job through connections made during their supervised hours. Treat it like an extended interview.
Comparing accredited programs built for Florida certification is the smartest first step. The right master’s program aligns with Florida’s exam requirements and internship structure from day one — saving you time and uncertainty later.
