New Hampshire School Counselor Certification
New Hampshire does not currently require a certification exam for school counselors. To earn your NH school counseling certification, you’ll need a master’s degree, a completed 600-hour internship, a background check, and a $130 application fee submitted through the myNHDOE portal. Certification renews every three years.
New Hampshire Links
New Hampshire school counselors support students across the state with academic planning, social-emotional development, and college and career readiness. To work in that role in a public school, you’ll need to earn the School Counselor endorsement (code 003) issued by the NH Department of Education. This page covers every step — from initial certification through renewal and reciprocity.
Initial New Hampshire School Counselor Certification
New Hampshire outlines three primary pathways to meet the education requirement for initial school counselor certification. All three require a master’s degree or higher. If you’re still evaluating programs, the New Hampshire school counseling programs and internship requirements page covers program selection and fieldwork logistics in more detail.
Step 1: Meet the Education Requirements
Option 1 — Approved school counseling program: Earn a master’s degree or higher from a state board of education-approved school counseling program, such as the following:
Option 2 — Related counseling degree plus internship: Earn a master’s degree or higher in counseling and complete a counseling internship in a public school setting.
Option 3 — Related field plus comparable experience: Earn a master’s degree or higher in a profession closely related to school counseling and provide proof of experience in comparable school counseling positions, subject to DOE evaluation and approval.
Step 2: Complete Your Supervised Internship
Your internship must total 600 clock hours completed in a school setting, supervised by a certified school counselor with relevant professional experience (typically at least two years). Your graduate program coordinates the internship — this step happens before you apply for certification, not as part of the application itself.
Step 3: Prepare for the Background Check
New Hampshire’s background check process works differently than most states. You don’t submit to a background check when you file your initial application. After the Department of Education reviews your materials and determines you’re eligible for certification, a certification specialist will contact you with fingerprinting instructions. Build extra time into your timeline for this step after you submit.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
The application fee is currently $130, payable through the myNHDOE portal (subject to change—confirm the current fee with the NH DOE before applying).
Step 5: Gather Your Application Materials
You’ll need the following to complete your application:
- A completed profile and application through the myNHDOE portal
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended, including transfer credits that contributed to your earned degree
- The $130 application fee (subject to change)
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Applications are submitted through the myNHDOE portal. For help with your portal account, email the help desk at [email protected].
For questions about the certification process itself, contact the New Hampshire Department of Education Bureau of Credentialing at (603) 271-2409 or [email protected].
New Hampshire School Counselor Certification Renewal
New Hampshire school counselor credentials require renewal every three years. The process depends on your employment situation.
If you’re employed under a New Hampshire Professional Development Master Plan, your superintendent’s office submits renewal recommendations through the online portal on your behalf — you don’t apply directly.
If you’re not under a Professional Development Master Plan, or if you’re not currently employed in a New Hampshire school, submit your renewal application directly through the myNHDOE portal.
Either way, you’ll typically need to document required professional development hours (as defined by NH DOE at the time of renewal), and the renewal fee is currently $130 (subject to change). For current PD requirements and renewal details, visit the NH DOE credentialing and licensure pages or contact the certification office at (603) 271-2409 or [email protected].
New Hampshire School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
New Hampshire participates in NASDTEC reciprocity agreements. If you hold a current, valid school counselor certificate from another state, you may be eligible for a New Hampshire certificate — but reciprocity isn’t automatic.
Only applicants with full, unrestricted licenses are eligible. A provisional or emergency certificate from another state won’t qualify. Even with a full license, the NH DOE will evaluate your credentials, education, and experience before granting certification. Apply through the myNHDOE portal.
For detailed application instructions, visit the NH DOE credentialing and licensure pages. For questions about your specific out-of-state situation, contact the Bureau of Credentialing at (603) 271-2409.
New Hampshire School Counseling Certification Resources
The following organizations support New Hampshire school counselors with professional development, advocacy, and career resources:
- New Hampshire School Counselor Association
- American School Counselor Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire require an exam to become a school counselor?
New Hampshire does not currently require a certification exam for school counselors. There’s no Praxis and no state-specific test. Certification is based on your education, internship experience, background check, and application rather than exam performance. Always confirm current requirements with the NH DOE, as policies can change.
When does the background check happen in New Hampshire?
Later than you might expect. You don’t complete a background check when you submit your application. After the Department of Education reviews your materials and determines you’re eligible, a certification specialist will contact you with fingerprinting instructions. Build extra time into your timeline for this step after you submit.
Can I transfer my school counselor certification from another state to New Hampshire?
Possibly, through NASDTEC reciprocity — but it’s not automatic. New Hampshire only accepts full, unrestricted licenses. If you hold a full license from another state, apply through the myNHDOE portal and the DOE will evaluate your credentials before making a decision. Contact the Bureau of Credentialing at (603) 271-2409 if you have questions about your specific situation.
How often do I need to renew my New Hampshire school counselor certification?
Every three years. Renewal goes through the myNHDOE portal, and you’ll typically need to document required professional development hours completed during your certification period. If your district operates under a Professional Development Master Plan, your superintendent’s office handles the renewal recommendation. Confirm current PD requirements with the NH DOE before your renewal date, as requirements are subject to change.
What if I have a master’s degree in a related field, not specifically school counseling?
You may still qualify. New Hampshire outlines three primary pathways, including one for applicants with master’s degrees in related fields who can demonstrate experience in comparable school counseling positions. This pathway is subject to DOE evaluation and approval. Contact the Bureau of Credentialing at (603) 271-2409 to determine which pathway fits your background before applying.
- No exam required — New Hampshire does not currently require a Praxis or any other certification exam; certification is based on education, internship, and application requirements.
- Three primary pathways — You can qualify with an approved school counseling degree, a related counseling degree plus an internship, or a related master’s plus comparable experience (subject to DOE approval).
- Background check comes after eligibility review — NH contacts you about fingerprinting after your application is reviewed, not when you submit it.
- Renew every three years — Keep your professional development hours documented and confirm current PD requirements with the NH DOE before your renewal date.
- Reciprocity requires a full license — Provisional or emergency out-of-state certificates won’t qualify for NH reciprocity.
Ready to map out your full path to becoming a New Hampshire school counselor?
