Nevada School Counselor Certification

The Nevada school counselor qualifications include multiple pathways to licensure. 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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  or

• Hold a specialty credential as a national certified school counselor issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors; or
• Master’s degree * or higher with a major in counseling from a regionally accredited college/university and completion of at least 600 hours of a practicum/internship/field experience in a kindergarten through grade 12 school setting; or
• Master’s degree * or higher from a regionally accredited college/university with two years of teaching experience or school counseling experience and completion of at least 600 hours of a practicum/internship/field experience in a kindergarten through grade 12 school setting

* Applicants who submit documentation verifying qualifications for #s 3 & 4 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 with either Livescan, which is the preferred method, or by submitting completed fingerprint cards. To submit fingerprint cards, you must use lightweight card stock paper and the FBI Applicant Fingerprint Form (FD-258), located on the FBI website.

For detailed information about the Nevada fingerprinting requirements, including Livescan locations and where to submit completed FBI fingerprint forms, visit the NV DOE website.

For detailed instructions of how to obtain approved fingerprint cards and where to mail completed cards, along with the $30 processing fee, download this PDF.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain a School Counselor license in Nevada, you must earn a score of 156 or greater on the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421). 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 the online application portal.

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 the Online Portal for Applications and Licensure (OPAL)
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. Official transcripts must be hand-delivered to the Department of Education licensure office(s) or sent electronically from each college/university, or a clearinghouse such as e-Script, to transcripts@doe.nv.gov
• Proof of passing score from Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421)
• $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).

This includes supporting documentation and the application fee.

For more information, or for assistance with OPAL, you may call the educator licensure office, during normal business hours, at 702-486-6458.

Additional Information

If you would like to speak with a licensure specialist, you can contact the educator license department via email at license@doe.nv.gov or by calling 702-486-6458.

The Nevada school counselor license is renewed online and includes a $150 renewal fee, criminal background check, and 15 clock hours of professional development for each year of current licensure. For detailed information about the renewal process, visit the NV DOE website.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional information about renewing your Nevada school counselor license, you can contact the Department of Education at 702-486-6458. You can also complete an educator license inquiry form.

Out-of-state applicants must submit all materials through the 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 Las Vegas office of the Nevada Department of Education at 702-486-6458, or email a specialist at license@doe.nv.gov.