Alaska School Counselor Certification
To work as a school counselor in Alaska, you need a Type C Special Services Certificate from the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED). The most direct route is a master’s degree in school counseling from a state-approved program, required Alaska-specific coursework, and completion of four mandatory trainings. Initial certification is valid for five years.
Alaska Links
Alaska grants school counselors a Type C Special Services Certificate — the credential that qualifies you to work with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. There are two versions: the Regular (five-year) and the Provisional (two-year). The difference comes down to one set of coursework requirements, so understanding which one applies to you is the first thing to sort out.
Although the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development accepts school counseling degrees earned from universities in other states and accepts employment experience from national and international locations, Alaska does not have formal reciprocity agreements. Applicants must still meet all Alaska-specific requirements and submit a complete application.
Initial Alaska School Counselor Certification
Both the Provisional and Regular certificates allow you to work as a school counselor in Alaska, though some employers may prefer the full Regular certificate. The key difference is timing: the Regular certificate is valid for five years and requires completion of Alaska studies and multicultural education coursework. If you haven’t finished those courses yet, you can apply for the two-year Provisional certificate while you complete them. The Provisional cannot be renewed — once it expires, you apply for the Regular certificate.
Step 1: Education Requirements
Applicants for Alaska school counselor certification must meet the following minimum educational requirements:
- Completion of a master’s degree in school counseling (or closely related field) from a state-approved program, including a supervised practicum/internship in school counseling. Alaska does not require a teaching license for school counselor certification.
- Completion of three (3) semester hours of approved Alaskan studies and three (3) semester hours of multicultural education/cross-cultural communication. These courses must be completed within five years prior to application for the Regular certificate.
- Learn more about approved Alaska studies and multicultural education courses on the Alaska Department of Education website.
- If you haven’t completed these requirements, you’re eligible to apply for the two-year Provisional certificate. You’ll need to finish the required coursework within those two years to apply for the Regular certificate.
- Completion of required mandatory trainings within five years of application: sexual abuse prevention, alcohol and drug awareness, dating violence prevention, and suicide prevention.
Step 2: Organize Your Application Materials
Applications are submitted through the Alaska Department of Education’s Educator Application & Certification Hub (TEACH-AK). Some supporting documents may still need to be mailed. You’ll need to submit:
- Fingerprint card — used to complete a criminal history report by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended to complete each degree and state-approved preparation program
- Mandatory Training Form
Step 3: Know the Fees
The following fees apply to your Alaska school counseling certification application and background check:
- Initial Certification Fee: $200
- Background Check Fee: $60
- Fingerprint Card Fee: $260
If you have questions about your application, contact the Teacher Education & Certification Office at [email protected].
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Submit your application through TEACH-AK. If you have questions, contact the Teacher Education & Certification office at [email protected] to consult a Certification Analyst.
Alaska School Counselor Certification Renewal
To renew, you’ll need to earn six continuing education credits (typically semester credits or approved professional development units) directly related to school counseling, with at least three of those credits at the upper- or graduate-level. You must also complete all mandatory trainings within the five years preceding your renewal date. You can start the renewal process up to one year before your certificate expires.
Alaska School Counselor Certification Renewal Materials & Fees
- Renewal or Reinstatement Application, submitted through TEACH-AK
- Renewal Certification Fee: $200
- Continuing Education Fee: $50 per credit
For more information about renewing your Alaska School Counselor Certification, visit the Alaska Department of Education. If you have questions, contact the Teacher Education & Certification office at [email protected] to consult a Certification Analyst.
Alaska School Counseling Certification Resources
For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, visit the following websites:
- Alaska Board of Professional Counselors
- Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
- Alaska School Counselor Association
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board for Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alaska require the Praxis exam for school counselor certification?
Alaska does not consistently require a Praxis exam for school counselors, but requirements may change. Confirm current testing requirements directly with the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development before applying. You can reach them at [email protected].
What’s the difference between the Provisional and Regular Type C certificate?
Both certificates allow you to work as a school counselor in Alaska, though some employers may prefer the full Regular certificate. The key difference is timing: the Regular certificate is valid for five years and requires three semester hours in Alaska studies and three semester hours in multicultural education, completed within five years of your application date. If you haven’t finished those courses yet, you can apply for the two-year Provisional certificate while you complete them. The Provisional cannot be renewed — once it expires, you apply for the Regular certificate.
How do I renew my Alaska school counselor certification?
You’ll need to earn six continuing education credits (typically semester credits or approved professional development units) related to school counseling before renewal, with at least three of those credits at the upper- or graduate-level. All mandatory training must be completed within 5 years of your renewal date. Renewal applications are submitted through TEACH-AK and cost $200, plus $50 per continuing education credit.
Does Alaska have reciprocity agreements with other states?
Alaska does not have formal reciprocity agreements, but it does accept out-of-state education and experience. If you hold a school counselor certification from another state, you’ll still need to meet all of Alaska’s requirements and submit a complete application through TEACH-AK — including the Alaska studies and multicultural education coursework.
What does the Alaska school counselor background check involve?
You’ll submit a fingerprint card as part of your application. Alaska requires criminal history checks from both the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The background check fee is $60, and the fingerprint card fee is $260.
- Two certificate types — Both the Provisional (two-year) and Regular (five-year) Type C certificates allow you to work as a school counselor, though some employers may prefer the Regular certificate.
- Alaska studies are non-negotiable — Three semester hours each in Alaska studies and multicultural education are required for the five-year Regular certificate, completed within five years of your application date.
- Four mandatory trainings required — Sexual abuse prevention, alcohol and drug awareness, dating violence prevention, and suicide prevention must all be completed within five years of application.
- No formal reciprocity — Alaska accepts out-of-state education and experience, but applicants must still meet all Alaska-specific requirements to practice here.
- Renewal takes planning — You’ll need six continuing education credits (at least three at the graduate level) and current mandatory training before you can renew.
If you’re still working on the degree requirements to qualify for Alaska certification, start by comparing master’s programs that align with Alaska’s state-approved program criteria.
