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, along with 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. If you are eligible for a conditional certificate, click here and then click on Code 075 School Counselor for how to apply.

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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• You must also 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
• In-service program or coursework completion of inclusion teaching

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

All applicants must schedule criminal background checking through IdentoGO. Visit the Maine Department of Education fingerprinting webpage for detailed instructions of how to submit for a background check.

You will be directed to submit an Application for Initial Educational Approval, along with a $15 processing fee, which will initiate the criminal background checking process. The Application is located here.

If you have questions about the Maine Department of Education criminal background checking, contact a certification specialist via email cert.doe@maine.gov or call 207-624-6600 during normal business hours.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

Applicants must earn a minimum score of 156 on the Professional School Counselor (ETS 5421) exam. 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

The required fee is submitted with the application packet by providing VISA or MasterCard information on the Application for Initial Certification.

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your complete application is submitted via mail and includes the following materials:

• Completed approval form for fingerprinting and criminal history records check, located here
• Initial certification application, located here
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score for Professional School Counselor (ETS 5421) exam
• $100 application fee for License

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for Maine School Counselor license must be submitted via mail, and should include all required materials in the same packet. For more information about your application submission, view this Maine DOE webpage.

Mail completed application and all supporting documents to:

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your School Counselor license application, you can call the Maine Department of Education during normal business hours at 207-624-6600.

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

Your renewal application includes the following materials:

• Completed profile and renewal application
• Renewal application fee of $100
• Renewal credits, of 6 semester hours or 90 contact hours of CEUs. All courses and continuing education must be related to the education industry.

For more information about Maine School Counselor certification renewals, visit the Maine DOE website.

If you need technical assistance with your online renewal, call 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 during normal business hours.

Maine accepts out-of-state counselor certification as part of the application materials for a Professional Certificate in School Counseling. The following materials are required for the application, and should be sent in one packet to the Department of Education.

Application materials include:

• Completed approval form for fingerprinting and criminal history records check, located here. Out-of-state applicants will be notified by IndentGO for approved locations after you register online. For more details, visit the Maine DOE website.
• Initial certification application, located here
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score for Professional School Counselor (ETS 5421) exam
• Copies of current, valid out-of-state certifications/licenses
• $100 application fee for License

Mail your completed application and additional materials:

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 cert.doe@maine.gov.