Minnesota School Counselor Certification

Applicants for an initial Minnesota school counselor license apply for the state’s Tier 2 license. This license is valid for two (2) years and can be renewed up to three times, at which time the applicant must be eligible for a Tier 3 license. For more information about the Minnesota Tier system, including requirements for Tiers 2, 3, and 4, View this tiered licensure image.

Step 1: Education Requirements

You must have earned a master’s degree in counseling or a bachelor’s degree with current enrollment in an accredited school counselor program and a minimum of 24 completed course credits plus verification of a plan to complete the master’s program within three (3) academic years. Learn more about school counseling programs by contacting schools, such as the following:

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

All applicants should submit a fingerprint card along with the application. To request a card, send an email to pelsb@state.mn.us with the subject line “Fingerprint Card Request.” Provide your full name and mailing address in the message. You can also request a card by calling 651-539-4200 and selecting Option 1.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

As of February 2020, there are no examination requirements for Minnesota School Counseling endorsements.

Step 4: Know the Fees

License application and fingerprint processing fee $90.25 Your check or money order is submitted in your complete application packet.

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your complete application must be mailed in ONE packet and include the following materials:

• Completed Tier 2 application, located here
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Completed fingerprint card
• Conduct Review Statement, and supporting documentation, if applicable. For more information, see the “Section 5A” instructions located on the Minnesota Tier 2 Related Services License Application.
• District Verification Form for a School Counselor License, signed by the hiring district*
• $90.25 fee, which includes costs for the license application and fingerprint card processing. Your non-refundable check or money order should be payable to PELSB.

* Approval for a Tier 2 license requires a job offer from a Minnesota School District. For more information, see the General Information section on the Tier 2 Related Services License Application, located here.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for Minnesota School Counselor license must be submitted in ONE complete packet and mailed to the following address:

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your School Counselor license application, you can call the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) at 651-539-4200 between the hours of 8 AM and 2 PM CST, each weekday.

You can also email a licensing specialist at pelsb@state.mn.us or visit the walk-in center between 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday:

The Minnesota Tier 2 (initial) school counselor license is valid for two (2) academic years and expires on June 30 of the expiration year. You may renew your Tier 2 license up to three times.

To renew your Minnesota license, visit this webpage and select the appropriate Tier Application:

• Tier 2 application
• Tier 3 application
• Tier 4 application

Your renewal application includes the following materials:

• Completed application
• Official college/university transcripts (required for each license renewal)
• Renewal application fee of $57
• Renewal credits totaling at least 75 clock hours (for Tier 3 application only)
• Renewal credits totaling at least 125 clock hours (for Tier 4 application only)

Current Minnesota school counselor license holders do not need to submit for a background check with license renewals.

Additional Assistance

For more information about how to renew your Minnesota School Counselor license, you can contact a specialist at 651-539-4200, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 2 PM CST.

Minnesota does not have full reciprocity for out-of-state applicants, however, if you earned a regionally-accredited degree with requirements equivalent to the Minnesota school counseling programs, you may qualify for a Tier 2 license, which is valid for to (2) years and renewable up to three times.

To apply as an out-of-state applicant, you will submit the following materials:

• Completed Tier 2 application
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Completed fingerprint card. To request a fingerprint card, you may call 651-539-4200 and select Option 1, or request a card via email by sending a message with your full name and mailing address to pelsb@state.mn.us. Indicate “Fingerprint Card Request” in the subject line.
• Conduct Review Statement, and supporting documentation, if applicable. For more information, see the “Section 5A” instructions located on the Minnesota Tier 2 Related Services License Application.
• District Verification Form for a School Counselor License, signed by the hiring district*
• $90.25 application fee (includes costs for the license application and fingerprint card processing

* Approval for a Tier 2 license requires a job offer from a Minnesota School District. For more information, see the General Information section on the Tier 2 Related Services License Application, located here.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board at 651-539-4200. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 2 PM CST.