Michigan School Counselor Certification
Michigan requires a master’s degree in school counseling, at least 600 supervised internship hours (with a minimum of 300 in a school setting), and a passing score on the MTTC School Counselor (051) exam to earn a full School Counselor License. The license is valid for five years and renews with 150 professional development hours every cycle. Check the MTTC website for current exam details.
Michigan Links
Michigan has approximately 7,000 school counselors working with over 1.5 million public school students. Many schools use frameworks such as the Michigan Model for Health to design education-based services covering students’ social and emotional well-being, substance abuse prevention, nutrition, and safety from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Skip down the page to the certification pathway you’re interested in:
Initial Michigan School Counselor License
Michigan issues three types of school counselor credentials, depending on where you are in the process:
The Preliminary School Counselor License (PSCL) is for candidates currently enrolled in an in-state approved preparation program. Upon issuance, you may be eligible for employment in a Michigan school district while completing your program. It’s valid for three years and is non-renewable.
The School Counselor License (SCL) is the full credential. It’s valid for five years with unlimited renewals.
The Temporary School Counselor License (TSCL) is a one-year, non-renewable credential that may be issued to qualifying out-of-state applicants who need additional time to pass the MTTC exam.
Step 1: Education Requirements
To qualify for the full School Counselor License, you’ll need to complete a master’s degree in school counseling from an approved program. Michigan’s requirement specifies at least 30 graduate-level semester hours within the approved program—this is the minimum threshold for counselor-specific coursework, not the total credits required for the degree. Most approved master’s programs run 48 to 60 credits.
You’ll also need to complete a supervised internship of at least 600 clock hours, with a minimum of 300 hours completed in a school setting, as defined by an approved preparation program.
If you’re still working through your master’s program, you may qualify for the Preliminary School Counselor License (PSCL) once you’ve completed the required coursework — depending on program or district requirements, you may also need to pass the MTTC exam at that stage. The PSCL allows you to work in a Michigan school district while finishing your degree.
Learn more about the requirements to become licensed as a school counselor in Michigan.
Step 2: Background Check
After accepting a job offer, you’ll submit fingerprints for a criminal background check through the Michigan State Police. Learn more about the Michigan criminal background check procedure here.
Step 3: Pass the MTTC School Counselor Exam
All applicants for the Michigan School Counselor License must pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) School Counselor (051) exam. It’s a computer-based test with a passing score of 220 or higher. Exam format, scoring, and fees are subject to change—check the MTTC website for current details, test dates, and registration information.
Step 4: Application Fee
The School Counselor License application fee is $160.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Your complete application is submitted online through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) and includes the following materials:
- Completed application through MOECS
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you attended, including transfer credits that led to your earned degree
- Proof of passing score on the MTTC School Counselor (051) exam
- $160 license application fee
- If you don’t hold a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, you’ll also need to submit a Work Experience Report Form for the Michigan School Counselor License
Questions? Contact the Michigan Department of Education Educator Certification department at 833-633-5788.
Michigan School Counselor License Renewal
The School Counselor License is valid for five years. You can submit your renewal application any time after January 1 in the year your license expires. Renewals are completed online through MOECS.
Your renewal requires:
- $160 renewal application fee
- 150 professional development hours completed within the previous five years, per Michigan Department of Education requirements (subject to change). These hours must include:
- 25 hours related to college preparation and selection
- 25 hours of career consultation, including at least 5 hours focused on military career options
Questions about renewal? Contact the educator certification support desk at 833-633-5788 or [email protected].
Michigan School Counselor License Through Reciprocity
If you’re already licensed in another state, Michigan will evaluate your credentials for the School Counselor License. Approval is subject to state evaluation and documentation review. To qualify, you’ll need to meet one of the following:
- A completed master’s degree or higher in school counseling, including an internship in a school setting, from a program in another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe; or
- A bachelor’s degree plus five of the previous seven years of documented, successful employment as a school counselor with a valid school counselor endorsement from another state
You’ll also need to:
- Pass the MTTC School Counselor (051) exam. In some evaluation cases, qualifying out-of-state applicants may initially receive a Temporary School Counselor License (TSCL) — valid for one year and non-renewable — to allow additional time for testing. Passing the MTTC is required before it expires.
- Submit a copy of your current, valid license
- If you don’t hold a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, submit a Work Experience Report Form for the Michigan School Counselor License
- Pay the $210 out-of-state School Counselor License application fee
Apply through MOECS as an out-of-state candidate. Questions? Contact MDE at 833-633-5788 or [email protected].
Michigan School Counseling Certification Resources
For continuing education and career development opportunities, see the following:
- Michigan School Counselor Association
- Michigan School Counselor Association Facebook Page
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
What exam do I need to pass for Michigan school counselor certification?
You need to pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) School Counselor (051) exam, with a passing score of 220 or higher. Exam format, fees, and scoring are subject to change—check the MTTC website for current details and available test dates.
What’s the difference between the PSCL, SCL, and TSCL in Michigan?
These are three distinct credential types. The Preliminary School Counselor License (PSCL) is for in-state candidates still completing their program—it’s valid for 3 years and non-renewable. The School Counselor License (SCL) is the full, five-year credential. The Temporary School Counselor License (TSCL) may be issued to qualifying out-of-state applicants who need time to pass the MTTC; it’s valid for 1 year and non-renewable.
How long does it take to get a Michigan school counselor license?
Most approved master’s programs in school counseling require 48 to 60 credits and take 2 to 3 years to complete. Your internship hours are typically completed as part of that program. From the start of a graduate program, most candidates expect two to three years to full licensure, though timelines vary by program and individual pace.
How do I renew my Michigan school counselor license?
Renewals are submitted online through MOECS any time after January 1 in the expiration year. You’ll need 150 professional development hours from the previous five years — including 25 hours in college preparation and selection and 25 hours in career consultation (with at least 5 hours focused on military career options). Renewal requirements are set by MDE and subject to change. The renewal fee is $160.
Does Michigan offer reciprocity for out-of-state school counselors?
Michigan will evaluate out-of-state credentials, but it’s not automatic reciprocity — approval depends on state evaluation and documentation review. You’ll generally still need to pass the MTTC School Counselor (051) exam. In some cases, qualifying applicants may receive a one-year Temporary School Counselor License while preparing for the test. The out-of-state application fee is $210.
- Master’s degree required — Michigan requires a full master’s degree from an approved school counselor program, with at least 30 counselor-specific credits. Most approved programs total 48 to 60 credits.
- 600 internship hours — At least 300 of those hours must be completed in a school setting, as defined by your approved preparation program.
- Three credential types — The PSCL lets you work while finishing your program. The SCL is the full five-year license. The TSCL may be issued to qualifying out-of-state applicants needing time to pass the MTTC.
- Renewal every five years — You’ll need 150 professional development hours, including specific requirements for college preparation and career consultation.
- All applications go through MOECS — Michigan’s Online Educator Certification System handles initial applications, renewals, and out-of-state requests.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, start with ones approved by the Michigan Department of Education — your program needs to meet state requirements before you can apply for licensure.
