Kansas School Counselor Certification

School counselors in Kansas prepare more than 500,000 students to become contributing and productive citizens. They offer guidance and counseling and work to support the academic mission of Kansas public schools.

Read more about the Kansas Curricular Standards for School Counseling 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 Kansas School Counselor Certification

Experienced classroom teachers may be eligible for a Professional School Specialist license through a completed performance assessment. Learn more about this alternative pathway to becoming a school counselor in Kansas here.

Applicants without teaching experience in a Kansas public school can apply by meeting the requirements for an Initial School Specialist License, which are listed below.

Upon completing one full school year or two full semesters of supervision while employed as a school counselor and holding the initial school specialist license, counselors are eligible for the professional license, which is valid for five (5) years.

Step 1: Education Requirements

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

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    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.

• Complete a field experience as part of your graduate program that includes at least two, three-credit-hour courses over two semesters

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Before you can apply for an Initial School Specialist license, you must submit a fingerprint card and $57 processing fee to complete the fingerprint background check. KSDE now accepts Live Scan fingerprints. Learn more about completing the fingerprinting process here.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

You must take and pass the Praxis School Counselor (5422) exam. Learn more about taking the Praxis exam here.

Step 4: Know the Fees

License Application Fee: $60

Background Check Fee: $57

For more information about the Kansas Licensure Application Fees, visit the KSDE website.

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your complete application is submitted online and includes the following materials:

• Completed profile and application for an Initial School Specialist license through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLIS)
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities submitted directly to KSDE
• Praxis exam score
• $60 application fee

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for a Kansas School Counselor license is submitted online, using the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS).

Once you register for a user name and password, you will select the “License Application” menu and access Form 1: Initial School Specialist License Application.

Additional Information

If you need assistance setting up your profile, completing your online application, or any other technical support, you may call the KLAS helpline at 785-296-7935 or contact a specialist via email at [email protected].

Kansas School Counselor Certification Renewal

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

Your renewal requirements must be completed during the time of the current, valid license, and includes the following:

• Completion of 120 professional development points. Official transcripts are required for all points earned.
• Completion of eight (8) college/university credit hours in an approved program. Official college/university transcript required.
• $60 License renewal fee

Learn more about renewal requirements here.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about how to renew your Kansas School Counselor license, you can contact a specialist at the Teacher Licensure and Accreditation department at 785-296-2288.

Kansas School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

To apply for a Kansas School Specialist License- School Counseling, as an out-of-state applicant, you must meet the following criteria:

• Graduate degree and 3.25 graduate GPA
• Completion of the appropriate, approved program
• Current valid out-of-state school counselor license
• Accredited experience
• Recency; one year of teaching experience or eight (8) semester credit hours completed within the last six (6) years
• You must demonstrate a passing score of 156 or greater on the School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5422). For more information about this exam, or to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website
• $70 Out-of-state application fee
• Criminal background checking with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. To order a fingerprint card, please carefully read the instructions and complete the online submission form

Your out-of-state application is completed online using the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS).

If you need technical assistance with your application, you may contact a technician at 785-296-7935 or via email at [email protected].

Additional Assistance

For all other questions about your application for school counselor, contact a specialist at the Kansas Board of Education at 785-296-2280.

Kansas School Counseling Certification Resources

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

• Kansas Department of Education School Counseling Resources
• Kansas School Counselor Association
• American School Counselor Association
• National Board of Certified Counselors

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