Montana School Counselor Certification

There are more than 140,000 public school students in Montana. School counselors in the state provide a variety of services for children in prekindergarten through grade 12 that include guidance counseling, performing family interventions, making referrals, designing and participating in collaborative services with community organizations, and designing intervention programs that address substance use, violence, grief and loss, and other issues.

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 Montana School Counselor Certification

The Montana Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license allows two pathways for licensure based on the type of educational program you wish to enroll in. Read on to find out more.

Step 1: Education Requirements

Applicants for the Montana school counselor specialist license must meet one of the following:

• Completion of a Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)-accredited school counseling program that includes a 600-hour school-based internship; OR
• Completion of a master’s degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college/university that includes a 600-hour school-based internship, such as the following programs:

  Sponsored School(s)

  Featured Programs:

  • Top Picks

  • 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.

  • #2

    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.

  • #4

    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.

• All applicants must also complete the free, online course entitled “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana,” located here and submit verification of completion along with application materials

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Applicants for the school counselor specialist license must complete a fingerprint background check. Learn more about how to complete the fingerprinting process here.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain a School Counselor license in Montana, you must earn a score of 156 or greater on the School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5422). For more information about this exam, or to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Know the Fees

First Montana Five Year License Fee: $36

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your application materials include the following:

• An application for a Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license completed through Teach Montana (TMT), the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s online portal.
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score from Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421)
• Proof of completion of “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana” course
• $36 application fee

Step 6: Submit Your Application

If you have any questions, we recommend you contact the Montana Office of Public Instruction Educator Licensing Department at (406) 444-3150.

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your Class 6 School Counselor Specialist license application, you can call the Montana Educator License office during normal business hours at 406-444-3150.

Montana School Counselor Certification Renewal

The Montana school counselor license is renewed online through the Montana Teach portal. You must include proof of 60 renewal units or a combination of renewal units and college course credits. The fee to renew your Class 6 School Counselor Specialist Licensure is $30.

Learn more about renewing your license here.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional information about renewing your Montana School Counselor license, you can contact a specialist at 406-444-3150 during normal business hours.

Montana School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

Montana does not have a reciprocity option for out-of-state applicants. To apply for a Class 6 School Counselor Specialist License, you must submit all required materials, along with a copy of your current, valid out-of-state license.

Additional requirements include:

• Completed profile and application through Teach Montana (TMT), the Montana Office of Public Instruction’s online portal
• Completion of a Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) accredited school counseling program, including completion of a 600 hour school-based internship; or earned master’s degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college/university, including completion of a 600 hour school-based internship
• Completion of the free, online course entitled “An Introduction to Indian Education for All in Montana,” located here
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of passing score from Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421)
• $36 application fee

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact the licensure division at the Montana Office of Public Instruction 406-444-3150.

Montana School Counseling Certification Resources

The following websites are excellent sources of information for continuing education and other career development opportunities:

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

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