Maine School Counselor Certification

School counselors provide comprehensive services to more than 180,000 students who attend 620 public schools located across Maine. They focus on each child’s developmental stages and work to implement strategies and activities to maximize student learning. They also ensure that every student’s needs are met through quality preventative and crisis response services.

Learn more about school counseling in Maine 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 Maine School Counselor Certification

Applicants for a Maine school counselor certificate who have not yet completed their graduate degree are eligible for a Conditional Certificate upon completion of 24 graduate semester hours in school counselor education and an approved criminal history record check. This certificate is valid for three (3) years, during which time all requirements for the professional certificate must be met.

To apply for the five (5) year Professional Certificate in School Counseling, you must meet the following requirements:

Step 1: Education Requirements

Complete the following in order to satisfy your education requirements for certification.

• Earn a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, such as programs from the following schools:

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  Featured Programs:

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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.

  • #3

    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.

• Submit a formal recommendation for a school counselor certificate from a college/university approved to prepare school counselors. For more information about approved programs, visit the CACREP website
• Complete an in-service program or coursework in inclusion teaching

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

All applicants must undergo a criminal background check, which includes fingerprinting. You must create an account with the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS) and then register with IdentoGo to make an appointment to have your fingerprints taken.

Learn more about Maine Department of Education’s background check and fingerprinting requirements here.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

You must take and pass the School Counselor (ETS 5422) exam with a minimum score of 156. For detailed information about this exam and to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Know the Fees

Application Fee: $100

Step 5: Apply for Certification

You must apply online for the School Counselor Certification through the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS). Instructions for creating an account and applying for your certificate can be found here.

If you need assistance with your School Counselor license application, contact the Maine Department of Education at 207-624-6600.

Maine School Counselor Certification Renewal

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

You must complete at least 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of CEUs to qualify for renewal. All courses and continuing education must be related to the education industry.

Learn more about renewal requirements here.

If you need technical assistance with your online renewal, contact the Department of Education helpline at 207-624-6896.

Additional Assistance

For more information about your renewal certification, contact the certification department at 207-624-6600.

Maine School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

Maine accepts out-of-state counselor certification as part of the application materials for a Professional Certificate in School Counseling. You must undergo a criminal background check and provide the Department with the following documents:

• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score for the School Counselor (ETS 5422) exam
• Copies of current, valid out-of-state certifications/licenses

You must apply online for the School Counselor Certification through the Maine Educator Information System (MEIS). Instructions for creating an account and applying for your certificate can be found here.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact the Department of Education at 207-624-6600 or via email at [email protected].

Maine School Counseling Certification Resources

The following sites are valuable sources of information for career development and continuing education:

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

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