ets.org/praxisHow to Become a Nevada School Counselor

Written by Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D., Last Updated: March 25, 2026

Nevada has a genuine need for school counselors right now. The state’s student-to-counselor ratio is well above the 250:1 level that ASCA recommends, and 87% of Nevada’s population lives in a federally designated mental health professional shortage area. That’s the environment you’d be stepping into. It’s demanding work, but it’s also some of the most needed work in Nevada schools right now.

This page walks through the path to licensure depending on where you’re starting from: high school graduate, college graduate, or a certified counselor coming from another state.

• I’m a High School Graduate…
• I have already earned a college degree…
• I’m a certified counselor from another state…

I’m a High School Graduate

You’re ahead of the curve for thinking about this now. The sooner you start pointing your education toward school counseling, the smoother the path will be.

Step One: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Nevada doesn’t require a specific undergraduate major for school counselors, but your choice of major matters for what comes next. Psychology, education, social work, and human development are the most common starting points — they build the foundation you’ll draw on in graduate school and in the field.

While you’re in school, look for ways to work directly with young people. Tutoring, youth mentorship programs, school district volunteer work, and after-school programs all count as meaningful experience. You don’t need a credential to start learning what this job actually feels like.

Step Two: Research Graduate Programs Early

Not all school counseling master’s programs lead to Nevada licensure. Before you commit to any program, check that it’s regionally accredited and covers the specific coursework Nevada requires. Nevada has three in-state programs worth knowing:

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) — 60-credit M.Ed., primarily in-person with evening classes. No GRE required.
• University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) — 67-credit program. No GRE required.
• Touro University Nevada — 48-credit program, offered online. No GRE required.

UNLV and UNR are CACREP-accredited, which is preferred by many employers and aligns well with the content areas covered on the Praxis exam. Touro’s online format offers the most scheduling flexibility. All three are regionally accredited and can lead to Nevada licensure. If you’re considering an out-of-state program, verify alignment with Nevada’s specific coursework requirements before you enroll.

Back to the top

I Have a College Degree

This is where most of the detail lives. Nevada’s requirements are defined under NAC 391.185, which lays out four distinct pathways to the school counselor endorsement.

Step One: Choose Your Licensure Pathway

Which pathway applies to you depends on your educational background and experience:

Pathway A — Master’s in School Counseling
Earn a master’s degree specifically in school counseling from a regionally accredited institution. This is the most direct route and includes the supervised internship as part of the program.

Pathway B — NBCC National Certified School Counselor (NCSC)
Hold a valid National Certified School Counselor credential from the National Board for Certified Counselors. This pathway is most relevant for counselors with existing national certification.

Pathway C — Master’s in Counseling (Any Specialty)
Hold a master’s degree or higher in counseling from a regionally accredited institution, plus 36 graduate semester hours in school counseling and 600 hours of supervised fieldwork. This works if you already have a counseling degree in a different specialty — marriage and family, clinical mental health, and similar — and want to add the school counselor endorsement.

Pathway D — Master’s in Any Field with Teaching or Counseling Experience
Hold a master’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution, plus two years of experience as a teacher or counselor, 36 graduate semester hours in school counseling, and 600 hours of supervised fieldwork. This is the pathway for career changers — former teachers, social workers, and others who’ve been working with young people in a different capacity.

For Pathways C and D, the 36 semester hours must cover specific content areas: individual counseling, group counseling, testing and assessment, legal and ethical issues, career counseling, school counseling program administration, multicultural counseling, and child and family counseling, plus two elective credits from areas like human growth and development, technology in education, exceptional children, or substance abuse counseling.

Step Two: Complete Your Master’s Degree and Fieldwork

The 600-hour supervised fieldwork requirement applies to all pathways that don’t include a school counseling master’s degree with a built-in practicum (Pathway A handles this automatically). If you’re on Pathway C or D, you’ll complete your fieldwork separately.

The 600 hours must take place in a K-12 school setting. Most candidates split their time between a practicum (typically around 280 hours) and a full internship (the remaining hours). Your supervising counselor must hold an active school counselor license.

One thing worth knowing if you’re currently working in a Nevada school: SB 277, signed into law in June 2025, permits eligible school employees to complete their practicum and internship hours while working. That’s a meaningful change for paraprofessionals, teachers, and support staff who want to make the transition without leaving their jobs.

Step Three: Complete a Criminal History Background Check

Nevada requires a fingerprint-based background check through the Nevada Department of Education. You’ll initiate this through OPAL (the online portal — more on that in Step Five). Findings can affect your eligibility, so if you have questions about your background, contact the NDE Educator Licensure office before you get to the application stage.

Step Four: Pass the Praxis School Counselor Exam

Nevada requires the Praxis School Counselor Assessment, test code 5422, with a minimum passing score of 156. The exam covers school counseling foundations, counseling skills, diversity and advocacy, assessment, research and evaluation, academic development, career development, and social and emotional development. For details on renewal requirements after you’re licensed, see the Nevada school counselor certification page.

Register through ETS at ets.org/praxis. If you’re completing a CACREP-accredited program, your coursework will align closely with the exam content areas. Give yourself adequate prep time — many candidates spend four to six weeks on focused review.

Step Five: Apply Through OPAL

Nevada’s Online Portal for Applications and Licensure (OPAL) is the only way to apply for your license. Paper applications haven’t been accepted since 2018. The application fee is $180 ($130 for military applicants). You’ll upload your transcripts, fieldwork verification, background check clearance, and Praxis scores through the Nevada Department of Education’s online portal.

If you run into issues, the NDE Educator Licensure office can be reached at [email protected], 775-687-9115 (Carson City), or 702-486-6458 (Las Vegas).

Back to the top

I’m a Certified Counselor from Another State

Nevada doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements with other states. However, your out-of-state credentials and transcripts can be evaluated to determine whether your qualifications meet Nevada’s requirements. If they do, you’ll receive a Nevada school counselor endorsement.

One recent development worth noting: Nevada joined the Counseling Compact effective January 1, 2026. The Compact primarily covers professional counseling licenses — whether it applies to your school counselor endorsement specifically depends on how your credentials are structured. Contact the NDE Educator Licensure office to confirm how the Compact applies to your situation before assuming portability.

For credential evaluation, apply through OPAL and include your out-of-state license, transcripts, and any documentation of your supervised experience. If gaps exist between your credentials and Nevada’s requirements, you may be asked to complete additional coursework or fieldwork before the endorsement is granted.

AB 49, passed in the 2025 legislative session, also authorizes provisional hiring of out-of-state educators while licensure is being processed — worth knowing if you have a job offer pending.

Back to the top

What School Counselors Earn in Nevada

Nevada school counselors earn a median salary of $64,960 per year, according to May 2024 BLS data — close to the national median of $65,140. Job prospects are solid: Nevada projects around 150 annual openings through 2032, with 10.3% overall growth in the field. For full salary details and metro area breakdowns, see the Nevada school counselor overview page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need teaching experience to become a school counselor in Nevada?

No. Nevada does not require prior teaching experience as a baseline requirement. Teaching experience is only relevant if you’re pursuing Pathway D, which uses two years of teaching or counseling experience as a substitute for a school counseling-specific master’s degree. Most candidates go the direct route through Pathway A.

How long does the fieldwork take, and can I complete it while working?

The 600 required fieldwork hours typically take one to two semesters to complete through a structured practicum and internship. If you’re enrolled in a school counseling master’s program (Pathway A), the fieldwork is built into your program and supervised by your institution. If you’re adding the endorsement through Pathway C or D, you’ll arrange fieldwork separately. As of October 2025, eligible Nevada school employees can complete their practicum and internship hours while working, under SB 277.

Can I complete a Nevada-approved school counseling program online?

Yes. Touro University Nevada offers a 48-credit online program. If you’re considering an out-of-state online program, verify before enrolling that it’s regionally accredited and covers the specific coursework areas Nevada requires under NAC 391.185. Accreditation and curriculum alignment are what matter — online delivery itself is not a disqualifier.

How long does it take to become a school counselor in Nevada?

If you’re starting with a bachelor’s degree, plan on two to three years for the master’s degree plus fieldwork, followed by several weeks to a few months for the background check, Praxis prep and exam, and OPAL application processing. From high school, the total timeline is typically six to eight years. Pathway D candidates with two years of relevant experience may be able to move faster if they already have graduate coursework that counts toward the 36-hour requirement.

What should I look for when comparing Nevada school counseling programs?

Start with the state where you plan to practice. Nevada’s three in-state programs — UNLV, UNR, and Touro — all waive GRE requirements and are regionally accredited. UNLV and UNR are CACREP-accredited, which is preferred by many employers. Touro’s online format is the most flexible option. Tuition varies: UNLV runs around $19,040 total, UNR around $23,685, and Touro around $22,080. CACREP accreditation is preferred, not required — your program just needs to cover the content areas defined under NAC 391.185.

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.

See Full Bio