Kansas School Counselor Certification

Applicants who are experienced classroom teachers may be eligible for a professional license with a completed performance assessment. For more information about this pathway to becoming a school counselor in Kansas, see this document or contact a Kansas Department of Education licensure specialist by calling 785-296-2288 during normal business hours.

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 completion of 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

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

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• Field experience completed during graduate work, including a minimum of two, 3-credit hours courses over two semesters

If you would like more information about the education requirements for the initial school specialist license, visit the Kansas State Department of Education website.

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Before you can apply for a School Counselor license, you must submit one (1) fingerprint card and $50 processing fee to the address listed below. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will complete a background clearance. To order a fingerprint card, please carefully read the instructions and complete the online request form.

Submit criminal background checking materials to:

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain a School Counselor license in Kansas, you must earn a score of 156 or greater on the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421). For more information about this exam, or to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Know the Fees

License Application Fee: $60

Background Check Fee: $50

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 through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLIS), located here
• You must also submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Score report from ETS for the Professional School Counselor Exam
• $60 application fee for school specialist license

Kansas requires that background checks are completed for each applicant prior to application. For more information or to order an FBI fingerprint card, visit this webpage.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

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

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. For detailed instructions on how to submit your online application, visit this webpage.

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 helpdesk@ksde.org.

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your School Counselor license application, call the Kansas Department of Education at 785-296-2280 and ask to speak with a specialist.

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

Your renewal requirements mut 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

For more information about the materials required for your license renewal, visit this webpage.

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.

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 Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421). 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 helpdesk@ksde.org.

To view a copy of the questions that are included in the initial out-of-state application, view this document.

Additional Assistance

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