Idaho School Counselor Certification

School counselors in Idaho provide services to over 300,000 students in elementary and secondary public schools. They help students build important social and emotional skills and help students and their families from rural areas access community resources.

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

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

Initial Idaho School Counselor Certification

The Idaho School Counselor Certificate is a five (5) year renewable Pupil Service Staff certificate with an endorsement in school counseling.

Step 1: Educational Requirements

• Earn a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. To being now, contact our featured schools listing here:

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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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

• You must also complete a 700-hour practicum, with 75% of the hours (525 clock hours) completed in a K-12 setting.
• You must have verification of the completion of a State Board of Education approved educator program, including an official seal from the college/university granting your degree. Learn more about satisfying the Institutional Recommendation requirement here.

Step 2: Submit a Criminal Background Check

Applicants must submit fingerprints for a background investigation check, which is completed through the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Statewide Sex Offender Registry.

You must request a fingerprint card and have your fingerprints rolled on an Idaho SDE fingerprint card by personnel at a local police department or sheriff’s office. To request an Idaho SDE fingerprint card, contact [email protected] with your mailing address.

Learn more about the Idaho Department of Education’s background check requirement here.

Step 3: Organize Your Application Materials

Your completed application should include the following materials:

• Idaho Educator Certification Application
• $75 Pupil Service Staff Certificate application fee
• Names and addresses of all colleges/universities you have attended
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. You may also request each college/university that you attended to email official transcripts to [email protected]
• Background Investigation Check packet, including completed fingerprint card and $28.25 processing fee
• Completed Institutional Recommendation form documenting that you have successfully completed an approved educator preparation program

Step 4: Know the Fees

Application Fee: $75
Background Check: $28.25

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Your complete application packet, including the Idaho Certification Application, Institutional Recommendation form, official transcripts, background check packet, and fees, should be sent to:

Additional Information

If you need to speak with someone about your Idaho Pupil Service Staff certificate with school counseling endorsement, contact the State Department of Education at 208-332-6882 or toll-free at 800-432-4601.

Idaho School Counselor Certification Renewal

The initial license for Idaho School Counselor is valid for five (5) years from September 1 to August 31 and must be renewed before expiration to avoid application for reinstatement.

The renewal license is also valid for five (5) years. The renewal application fee is $75. A completed renewal application, application fee, and proof of professional development credit is required for a renewal certificate.

You can submit your renewal materials through the mail or through the online renewal portal.

For detailed information about the Idaho renewal certificate, necessary forms, and professional development requirements, visit this webpage.

Additional Assistance

For more information about how to renew your Idaho School Counselor certificate, contact the Certification Office at the Department of Education at 208-332-6882 or [email protected].

Idaho School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

If you hold a current, valid school counseling certificate in another state, you may apply as an out-of-state applicant. You must include the following materials:

• Idaho Educator Certification Application
• $75 application fee
• Completed Background Investigation Packet and $28.25 processing fee
• A copy of your current, valid out-of-state school counseling license/certificate
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Mail your complete application packet, including fees, to:

Learn more about applying as an out-of-state applicant here.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact a specialist at [email protected].

If you prefer to speak with a specialist, call the Certification hotline at 208-332-6882.

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