How to Become a Nevada School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become a Nevada School Counselor?

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

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Nevada. Some of the information below may be subject to change. In order to make sure you have the most current information, please feel free to contact your school counseling education program advisor or contact the Nevada Department of Education licensing department at (702) 486-6458.

I’m a High School Graduate…

Kudos for showing motivation and maturity! Doing career research on the Nevada school counselor career as a high school graduate shows common sense and drive. These are attributes that will serve you well in many areas of your life.

However, don’t stop here! The following are recommended steps that will help you learn how to begin advancing your education as well as learn what it’s like to work with student aged individuals in Nevada.

Step One:

Gather information from schools offering associate degree programs or bachelor degree programs in psychology, counseling or any type of program you are currently interested in. It is not imperative you enroll in a counseling program at this point. The only necessity is that you begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.

Step Two:

A great way to find out if you are interested in a social service type of career, like school counseling, is to find volunteering organizations who work with children or young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of Nevada:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
• Nevada Map of Schools and School Districts
  • Use this link to find schools near you as well as each school’s contact information. Contact these schools to find out if there are any volunteer programs you may participate in.

Finally, now that you have some direction, get out there and begin looking for volunteering opportunities or even paid opportunities working in schools. You will thank yourself later after you learn whether or not a career in education is truly for you.

Regardless of whether you end up as a Nevada school counselor or not, you will undoubtedly benefit from earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree no matter what field you enter.

Back to the top

I have already earned a college degree…

The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in Nevada:

Step One:

Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:

1. 1. Earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling
      
      
   2. Or find more school counseling programs in Nevada here.

1. Earn a Master’s degree in Counseling from a regionally accredited school and complete at least 36 semester hours of graduate credit in school counseling.
2. Or earn a Master’s degree in any field, complete 36 semester hours of graduate coursework in school counseling and have at least two years experience as a teacher.

Step Two:

Experience requirements: You will need to complete a 280 clock hour supervised internship as a school counselor working with student-aged pupils.

If you complete a school counseling Master’s program, you will most likely complete the experience requirements through the Nevada school counselor preparation program.

Step Three:

You will need to complete a criminal history background check as well as successfully complete Praxis I and Praxis II examination requirements.

In addition, you will need to complete an initial licensure application packet. In this packet, you will find contact information for the Nevada Department of Education as well as instructions for completing a criminal history backgroud check, examination requirements for the Nevada school counseling licensure, and instructions for completing the application.

Download the Nevada Initial Licensure Application (for teachers and Nevada school counselors)

Back to the top

I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Nevada does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states for non-teaching licensure. However, you can have your current credentials and transcripts evaluated and will then be awarded a Nevada school counseling certification if your qualifications meet Nevada’s requirements.

Download an Initial Nevada Licensure application here.

Back to the top