Indiana School Counselor Certification
To become a certified school counselor in Indiana, you’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling from an approved program, a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor content exam, CPR/AED certification, suicide prevention training, and a criminal background check. The full process takes roughly six to seven years from the start of your bachelor’s degree.
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Indiana certifies school counselors at multiple tiers — Initial Practitioner, Proficient Practitioner, and Accomplished Practitioner — and each level has its own requirements. What’s expected of you depends on where you’re starting from. If you’re completing a master’s program, you’ll go through the initial certification process below. If you already hold credentials in another state, skip to the reciprocity section. If you’re renewing an existing Indiana license, that pathway is here too.
Initial Indiana School Counselor Certification
If you’re finishing your master’s program or just starting the credentialing process, here’s exactly what Indiana requires.
Step 1: Complete Your Master’s Degree
Indiana requires a master’s degree or higher in school counseling from a regionally accredited institution, with completed coursework in school service standards. The most direct path is a Master of School Counseling. Some programs offer school counseling specializations within broader degrees in Counseling Psychology or Education — those can work too, but confirm the program is approved by the Indiana DOE before you enroll. A mismatch at this stage can cost you significant time.
Your program will include a practicum and internship. Fieldwork requirements are set by your program and typically total 600 to 700+ hours, though the exact number varies.
You’ll also need to complete two non-academic requirements before applying:
- CPR/AED certification from an IDOE-approved provider. For approved providers, visit the Indiana DOE website.
- Suicide prevention training is required for initial licensure and ongoing renewal. Approved options, including online vendors, are listed on the Indiana DOE website.
Step 2: Pass the Praxis School Counselor Exam
Once you’ve completed your program, you need to pass the Praxis School Counselor content exam before your application can be approved. Indiana adopted the REPA 3 licensure framework in 2015, which requires passing a Core content licensure test — currently the Praxis. Verify the current test code, passing score, and exam fee directly with the Indiana DOE or at ETS.org before you register, as these details can change.
Step 3: Submit to a Criminal Background Check
Upon being hired, new Indiana school counselors must obtain an expanded criminal history check and an expanded child protection index check. You pay for both. Background checks are typically required upon hire, and timelines may vary by employer — confirm specifics with your district. Background checks can be updated every five years. For more information, see the Indiana DOE’s FAQ document on expanded criminal history checks.
Step 4: Organize Your Application Materials
Your complete application is submitted online through Indiana’s Licensing Verification and Information System (LVIS). You’ll need:
- Completed profile and application through LVIS
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended, including transfer credits
- A copy of your CPR/AED certification
- A copy of your suicide prevention training certificate
- $35 initial fee to determine eligibility for evaluation (plus processing fee; subject to change)
When you submit, you’ll select your recommending institution. A licensing advisor from that institution processes your application. The Indiana DOE maintains a list of licensing advisors at colleges and universities across the state.
Step 5: Fees
Initial fee to determine eligibility for evaluation: $35 plus a processing fee (subject to change)
License issuance fee (if evaluation is successful): $35 plus a processing fee (subject to change)
All fees are nonrefundable. You’ll get an automated email when the issuance fee is due. For current fee information, visit the Indiana DOE licensing fees page.
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Submit through LVIS on the Indiana DOE website. The Licensing Advisor Manual has step-by-step instructions for creating a profile and uploading documentation.
If you need help, contact the licensing department:
Phone: 317-232-9010
Email: [email protected]
License Tiers: Initial, Proficient, and Accomplished
Indiana’s school counselor license isn’t a single credential — it’s a tiered system that reflects your experience and ongoing professional development.
Initial Practitioner License: This is your starting point once you meet all the requirements above. It’s valid for two years.
Proficient Practitioner License: After two years under your Initial Practitioner License, you can convert to a five-year Proficient Practitioner License. To qualify, you’ll complete a state-approved mentoring or assessment process, or a Professional Growth Plan (PGP), as required by the IDOE. This conversion step is worth planning for early — don’t wait until the two-year mark is two months away.
Accomplished Practitioner License: After five or more years of experience as a school counselor, you may be eligible for a ten-year Accomplished Practitioner License. Requirements may include an advanced degree and additional approved credentials. Confirm current requirements directly with the IDOE before pursuing this tier, as the specifics are subject to change.
Indiana School Counselor Certification Renewal
Indiana school counselor licenses are valid for two, five, or ten years, depending on your license tier. Submit your renewal application before your license expires — the IDOE allows a renewal window, but don’t cut it close.
You can renew through one of two pathways:
- Professional Growth Plan (PGP): A structured plan documenting your professional development. Download the PGP form from the Indiana DOE website.
- Professional development activities: May include coursework, workshops, or other approved professional development activities. Up to six hours of college coursework may apply. Your licensing advisor can confirm which activities qualify. Visit the Indiana DOE website for full details.
One requirement that catches some counselors off guard: Indiana requires two hours of suicide prevention training every three school years. This applies at renewal, not just at initial licensure — keep your documentation current.
To renew your Indiana school counselor license online, visit the Indiana DOE renewal page for required materials and instructions.
For assistance, contact: [email protected] or 317-232-9010.
Indiana School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
Indiana doesn’t have a formal reciprocity agreement with other states, but if you currently hold a valid school counselor license in another state, you can apply as an out-of-state applicant. Indiana evaluates credentials individually — applications are reviewed against state standards, and additional requirements may apply.
Your out-of-state application packet includes:
- Completed profile, application, and $35 initial payment through LVIS (plus processing fee; subject to change)
- Copy of your CPR/AED certification
- Copy of your suicide prevention training certificate
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Copy of your current, valid school counselor license
- Verification of out-of-state experience as a school counselor
Submit everything online through LVIS. For details and step-by-step instructions, see the Indiana DOE’s school services employee page.
If you have questions, call 317-232-9010.
Indiana School Counseling Certification Resources
- Indiana School Counselor Association
- Indiana State Board of Education
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
What exam do I need to pass for Indiana school counselor certification?
Indiana requires a passing score on the Praxis School Counselor content exam under the REPA 3 framework, adopted in 2015. Before registering, verify the current test code, passing score, and exam fee directly with the Indiana DOE or at ETS.org — these details can change, and you want to make sure you’re registering for the right exam.
How long does Indiana school counselor certification take?
The full process, from the start of your bachelor’s degree through your Initial Practitioner License, typically takes six to seven years. That includes four years for a bachelor’s degree and roughly two years for a master’s degree in school counseling, plus time for background checks and application processing. Converting to a Proficient Practitioner License adds another two years of working experience after your initial license.
What happens if my Indiana school counselor license expires?
Submit your renewal application before your license expiration date — the IDOE allows a renewal window, but letting your license lapse creates complications. If your license has already expired, contact the Indiana DOE licensing department directly at 317-232-9010 to determine your options. Stay ahead of this: gather your documentation and submit early rather than waiting until the final stretch.
What are Indiana’s requirements for out-of-state school counselors?
Indiana doesn’t have a formal reciprocity agreement, but counselors with a current, valid license from another state can apply as out-of-state applicants. Applications are evaluated individually against Indiana’s standards, and additional requirements may apply. You’ll need to submit transcripts, your current license, proof of experience, CPR/AED and suicide prevention documentation, and a $35 initial fee (plus processing) through LVIS. For full details, see the Indiana school counselor overview page.
- Master’s degree required — Indiana licenses school counselors who hold a master’s degree in school counseling from a state-approved, regionally accredited program.
- Tiered licensure — Indiana uses a three-tier system: Initial Practitioner (2 years), Proficient Practitioner (5 years), and Accomplished Practitioner (10 years).
- Praxis exam required — You must pass the Praxis School Counselor content exam before your initial license is issued. Verify the current test code, score, and fee with the IDOE before registering.
- Background check on hire — Both an expanded criminal history check and a child protection index check are required; timelines are set by your employer and may vary by district.
- Suicide prevention is ongoing — Two hours of suicide prevention training every three school years is a renewal requirement, not a one-time item.
Ready to start your school counseling program search? Make sure any program you’re considering is approved by the Indiana DOE before you apply.
2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for School and Career Counselors and Advisors reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2026.