Nevada School Counselor Certification

School counselors in Nevada provide academic, career, and social/emotional supports to nearly a half million students in 18 school districts located across the state. Nevada’s counselors work to ensure that all children can learn to their fullest potential by providing a comprehensive school counseling program that meets each child’s developmental needs.

For more information about the unique role that school counselors play in Nevada, visit the Nevada Department of Education website.

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 Nevada School Counselor Certification

There are multiple pathways to licensure for Nevada school counselors. For more specific information, explore the Nevada Administrative Code.

Step 1: Education Requirements

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

• Master’s degree or higher in school counseling, such as the following programs:

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  Featured Programs:

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  • 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.

  • #5

    Campbellsville University

    Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.

OR

• Hold a specialty credential as a national certified school counselor issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors;

OR

• Earn a master’s degree* or higher with a major in counseling from a regionally accredited college/university and complete a practicum/internship/field experience in a kindergarten through grade 12 school setting of at least 600 hours;

OR

• Earn a master’s degree* or higher from a regionally accredited college/university; have at least two years of teaching experience or school counseling experience; and complete a practicum/internship/field experience in a kindergarten through grade 12 school setting of at least 600 hours.

*Applicants must also provide proof of completion of at least 36 graduate credit hours in school guidance and counseling. For detailed information about requirements for these credit hours, visit the NV Administrative Code website.

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

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

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain a School Counselor license in Nevada, 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

Applicants for a Nevada school counselor license will include a $180 new application fee, payable only through OPAL.

If you are active duty, retired, a veteran, or spouse of someone who is or was in the military, you are eligible for a $50 application fee discount.

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your application materials include the following:

• Completed profile and application through OPAL, the Nevada Department of Education’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 5422)
• $180 application fee

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Nevada school counselor license applications are only submitted online through the Online Portal for Applications and Licensure (OPAL).

Additional Information

Direct any questions to the Nevada Department of Education Educator Licensure office at [email protected] or 775-687-9115 (Carson City)/702-486-6458 (Las Vegas).

Nevada School Counselor Certification Renewal

The Nevada school counselor license is renewed online through OPAL and includes a $150 renewal fee, criminal background check, and 90 clock hours of continuing education, 6 semester credits, or a combination of clock hours or semester credits. 

Learn more about renewal requirements here.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional information about renewing your Nevada school counselor license, you can contact the Department of Education at 775-687-9115 (Carson City) or 702-486-6458 (Las Vegas).

Nevada School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

Out-of-state applicants must submit all materials through Online Portal for Applications and Licensure (OPAL).

This includes the $180 application fee and supporting documentation.

The Nevada Department of Education requires official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended; test scores of all testing completed within five (5) previous years of your application; a legible PDF copy of your current, valid out-of-state license; and a completed Verification of Experience form.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your out-of-state application, contact the Nevada Department of Education at 775-687-9115 (Carson City) or 702-486-6458 (Las Vegas) or email a specialist at [email protected].

Nevada School Counseling Certification Resources

For resources to assist you with continuing education and other career development opportunities, see the following websites:

• Nevada School Counselor Association
• American School Counselor Association
• National Board for Certified Counselors

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