Iowa School Counselor Certification

School counselors serve more than 500,000 students enrolled at almost 1,400 public schools in Iowa, and hold one of two endorsements:

• Professional Service License (does not have an Iowa teaching license)
• Counseling endorsement to an existing Iowa teaching license

Learn more about earning a school counseling licensing in Iowa here.

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

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

Initial Iowa School Counselor Certification

Applicants for an Iowa school counselor license who do not have two (2) years of successful service as a school counselor in an Iowa public school or three (3) years in an accredited Iowa private school or an out-of-state education setting, will receive an Initial Professional Service license, which is valid for two (2) years.

Upon completion of the aforementioned employment requirement, applicants will receive the Full Professional Service license, which is valid for five (5) years.

Step 1: Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited institution of higher education, such as the following:

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    New York University (NYU)

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• Complete 100 hours of a pre-service supervised practicum, with at least 40 of the hours in direct service.
• Complete 600 hours of a supervised internship, with at least 240 of the hours in direct service.

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

All applicants must permit the Iowa State Division of Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct a criminal background check. An FBI fingerprint card is required at the time of application, along with a $75 processing fee.

Learn more about using Fieldprint to schedule your appointment.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

There are no examination requirements for becoming a school counselor in Iowa.

Step 4: Know the Fees

License Application Fee: $40

Background Check Fee: $75

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your application includes the following materials:

• Completed profile and application through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners 
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of completed Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporter Training, provided for free by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) provides online for free
• FBI fingerprint card (instructions found here)
• $40 application fee
• $75 background check fee

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for Iowa School Counselor license must be submitted online through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Learn more about creating a new account and applying for your school counselor license here.

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your school counselor license application, you can contact Kelly Faga at [email protected] or 515-418-1403.

Iowa School Counselor Certification Renewal

The Iowa school counselor license is valid for five (5) from the date of issue. Renewal applications are completed online.

Your renewal application includes the following materials:

• Official college/university transcripts (required for each license renewal)
• Renewal application fee of $85, plus $10 for the abbreviated background check
• Renewal credits, which are offered by approved Iowa providers.
• Abbreviated background check with the child abuse registry, sex offender registry, and the dependent adult background abuse registry.

Additional Assistance

For more information about how to renew your Iowa School Counselor license, contact Kelly Faga at [email protected] or 515-418-1403.

Iowa School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

Iowa does not have full reciprocity for out-of-state applicants. However, with institutional recommendations, applicants should be eligible for the Initial Professional Service License, which is valid for to (2) years.

Your application materials must include:

• Completed profile, application, and $40 initial payment through the online licensing system
• FBI fingerprint card and $75 fingerprinting processing fee
• Official transcripts for all institutions attended
• Proof of completed Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporter Training, provided for free by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Copy of current, valid license

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your application, contact Kelly Faga at [email protected] or 515-418-1403.

Iowa School Counseling Certification Resources

For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, see the following websites:

• Iowa School Counselor Association
• American School Counselor Association
• National Board of Certified Counselors

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