Minnesota School Counselor Certification

Written by Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D., Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Minnesota uses a tiered licensing system to certify school counselors, and your path through it depends on where you are in your education and career. There’s no exam currently required at any tier. What you do need: a master’s degree in counseling (or solid progress toward one), a job offer from a Minnesota school district, a background check, and a completed application to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

• Initial School Counseling Certification
• Certification Renewal
• Certification Through Reciprocity
• Additional Certification Resources

Understanding Minnesota’s Tier System

Minnesota doesn’t issue a single school counselor license and call it done. The state uses a four-tier system, each representing a different stage of preparation and professional experience. Here’s how they break down.

Tier 1 is generally not used for school counselors in practice. If you have questions about whether it applies to your specific situation, contact PELSB directly.

Tier 2 is the initial license. It’s valid for two years and renewable up to three times while you work toward a full master’s degree and demonstrate progress in your program. You need a job offer from a Minnesota school district to apply — you can’t get a Tier 2 license independently.

Tier 3 is the standard professional license. It’s valid for three years and renewable indefinitely with 75 clock hours of continuing education per renewal cycle. You’ll apply for Tier 3 after you’ve completed your master’s degree and met all Tier 3 requirements.

Tier 4 is the advanced professional license, valid for five years and renewable indefinitely with 125 clock hours of continuing education per cycle. It recognizes counselors with demonstrated advanced practice.

The sections below walk through each stage in detail.

Initial Minnesota School Counselor Certification (Tier 2)

Step 1: Meet the Education Requirements

You need one of the following: a master’s degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution, or a bachelor’s degree and active enrollment in a state-approved or CACREP-aligned school counseling master’s program, with at least 24 completed semester credits in school-counseling-specific coursework. If you’re still in your program, your program provider must verify your credits, confirm you’re on track, and agree to provide supervision.

Note: Minnesota has adopted rule changes (R4703) that align program requirements with CACREP accreditation standards, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. If you’re currently enrolled in a program, confirm your program’s accreditation status with your advisor or review the PELSB rulemaking page before that date.

Step 2: Secure a Job Offer from a Minnesota School District

A Tier 2 license isn’t something you can apply for on your own — it requires a verified job offer from a Minnesota public or charter school. The hiring district must sign the District Verification Form for a School Counselor License, confirming that the district has offered you a position and will participate in your mentorship and evaluation.

Step 3: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

All first-time applicants must submit a completed fingerprint card along with their application. To request a card, email [email protected] with the subject line “Fingerprint Card Request” and include your full name and mailing address. You can also call 651-539-4200 and select Option 1. Confirm the current fingerprint submission process with PELSB when you request your card, as procedures can change. Fingerprint cards are not required for renewal applications.

Step 4: Know the Fees

The application fee is $90.25, which covers both the license application and fingerprint card processing. Payment must be submitted by check or money order payable to PELSB, included with your complete application packet. Confirm the current fee amount with PELSB before submitting, as fees are subject to change.

Step 5: Assemble Your Application Packet

Your entire application must be submitted in one complete packet — PELSB will not process incomplete or piecemeal submissions. Your packet should include:

• Completed Tier 2 application (download from the PELSB website)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits
• Completed fingerprint card
• Conduct Review Statement and supporting documentation, if applicable (see Section 5A of the application for instructions)
• District Verification Form for a School Counselor License, signed by the hiring district
• Application fee by check or money order payable to PELSB

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Mail your complete packet to:

If you need help with your application, contact PELSB by phone at 651-539-4200 or by email at [email protected]. Staff is available Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The walk-in center at the same address is also open Tuesday through Thursday during those hours. PELSB is closed on Monday and Friday.

Exam Requirements

As of the February 2020 updates to Minnesota’s licensing requirements, school counselors are not required to pass any content, pedagogy, or basic skills examination for licensure at any tier. There is no Praxis requirement and no MTLE requirement. Some third-party websites suggest otherwise — they’re out of date. You can confirm this directly on the PELSB testing page.

Minnesota School Counselor License Renewal

Tier 2 Renewal

Your Tier 2 license is valid for two years and expires on June 30 of the expiration year. You may renew it up to three times, but at some point, you’ll need to transition to a Tier 3 license. Each renewal requires evidence of meaningful progress toward your master’s degree and toward Tier 3 eligibility, plus documentation of district mentorship and evaluation.

At your first Tier 2 renewal, you’ll also need to complete:

• Cultural competency training (minimum 5 hours, PELSB-approved)
• Mental illness awareness training, including at least 1 hour of suicide prevention
• American Indian history and culture training

These trainings are a one-time requirement at first renewal only.

Tier 3 and Tier 4 Renewal

Tier 3 licenses renew every three years with 75 clock hours of continuing education. Tier 4 renews every five years with 125 clock hours. Both tiers are renewable indefinitely. Renewal applications are submitted through the PELSB website. The renewal fee is $57.00 — confirm the current amount with PELSB before submitting. Fingerprint cards are not required for renewals.

Certification Through Reciprocity

Minnesota doesn’t offer formal reciprocity for out-of-state school counselors. If you hold a school counselor license from another state, you’ll need to apply for a Minnesota Tier 2 license and meet the same requirements as any other initial applicant — including the job offer requirement. If your out-of-state degree is from a regionally accredited program with coursework equivalent to Minnesota’s requirements, you should qualify.

One thing worth knowing: Minnesota joined the Counseling Compact in 2025. The compact allows eligible LPCs and LPCCs to practice across member states without going through full reciprocity processes. School counselors licensed through PELSB are not covered by the Counseling Compact — this applies to clinical counselors only. If you’re moving from another state and hold both a school counselor license and an LPC or LPCC, check with the compact directly about your clinical license.

To apply as an out-of-state applicant, submit the following in one complete packet:

• Completed Tier 2 application (download from the PELSB website)
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including transfer credits
• Completed fingerprint card (request by emailing [email protected] or calling 651-539-4200, Option 1)
• Conduct Review Statement and supporting documentation, if applicable
• District Verification Form signed by the hiring district
• Application fee by check or money order payable to PELSB

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact PELSB at 651-539-4200, Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Minnesota School Counseling Certification Resources

For continuing education opportunities, professional development, and additional career support:

• Minnesota School Counselor Association
• American Counseling Association — Midwest Region
• American School Counselor Association
• National Board of Certified Counselors

Frequently Asked Questions

Do school counselors in Minnesota need to pass an exam?

No — as of the February 2020 updates to Minnesota’s licensing rules, school counselors are not required to pass any content, pedagogy, or basic skills exam at any tier. There’s no Praxis requirement and no MTLE for school counselor licensure. Confirm the current policy on the PELSB testing page if you want to verify directly.

How does the background check work for a Minnesota school counselor license?

First-time applicants must submit a fingerprint card with their application. PELSB uses this to conduct a criminal background check. To request a card, email [email protected] with the subject line “Fingerprint Card Request” or call 651-539-4200 and select Option 1. Confirm the current submission process when you request your card, as procedures are subject to change. Background checks are not required for renewals.

Does Minnesota have reciprocity for school counselor licenses?

Minnesota doesn’t offer formal reciprocity, but out-of-state applicants who hold an equivalent degree from a regionally accredited program can apply for a Tier 2 license. You’ll still need a job offer from a Minnesota school district. The Counseling Compact, which Minnesota joined in 2025, covers LPCs and LPCCs only — not school counselors licensed through PELSB.

How long does it take to move from a Tier 2 to a Tier 3 license?

It depends on how quickly you complete your master’s degree. Your Tier 2 license is valid for two years and renewable up to three times, giving you up to eight years if needed. Most counselors who enter with 24 completed credits transition to Tier 3 within two to four years. You’ll need a completed master’s degree in counseling and any additional Tier 3 requirements to make the move.

Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D.

Dr. Lauren Davis is the editor in chief of School-Counselor.org with over 15 years of experience in K-12 school counseling. She holds an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her work focuses on helping prospective school counselors navigate degree programs, state licensing requirements, and the realities of the profession.

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