Oklahoma School Counselor Certification

The Oklahoma school counseling credential is the Standard Certificate and is valid for five (5) years. If you are a graduate from an Oklahoma university, the university begins the initial application process with a recommendation to the Department of Education (DOE). Once the DOE receives the recommendation, you will create a profile in the online application portal to complete your submission.

Step 1: Education Requirements

• Master’s degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college or university, such as the following programs:

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    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.

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    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.

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    Liberty University

    Master's in School Counseling Online (M.Ed.) Click here to contact Liberty University and request information about their programs.

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    University of Denver

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

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    Peabody College at Vanderbilt University

    Master in School Counseling. Click here to contact Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and request information about their programs.

• You must also have completed a minimum of 200 direct hours in an internship program as part of the master’s degree, 100 hours of which must be supervised at an accredited school site

Step 2: Criminal Background Check

All applicants will complete a fingerprint based criminal background check with IndentoGO. There is a $57.25 fee, payable to the IndentoGO enrollment center where you will submit your fingerprints.

To find a location nearest you and schedule an appointment, visit this website.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

If you hold an Oklahoma teaching license, you will complete the following two exams:

1. Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam (OKPT) – $140 registration fee + $25 CBT* fee
2. Oklahoma’s School Counselor subject text (Exam #139) – $80 registration fee + $25 CBT* fee

If you do not hold an Oklahoma teaching license, you will complete the following three exams:

1. Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam (OKPT) – $140 registration fee + $25 CBT* fee
2. Oklahoma’s School Counselor subject text (Exam #139) – $80 registration fee + $25 CBT* fee
3. Oklahoma General Education Test – $65 registration fee + $25 CBT* fee

* Computer-based Test

In addition to each exam’s registration fee, you will pay a one time registration processing fee of $30. For more information about each of these three exams, and to register for test dates, visit this website.

Step 4: Application Materials Checklist

• Completed application on the Oklahoma Department of Education Single Sign On portal
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Institution recommendation, to be completed by your awarding graduate university/college
• Proof of passing scores for all required exams
• $50 initial application fee

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Your complete application is submitted online at the Oklahoma Department of Education Single Sign On portal.

Additional Information

If you need additional assistance to complete your application for a standard certificate in school counseling, call the Oklahoma Department of Education certification office during normal business hours at 405-521-3337.

The Standard Certificate in school counseling is renewed every five (5) years. As of February 2020, there are no professional development or examination requirements for renewal.

To submit your renewal request, sign in to your Department of Education profile, located here, and complete a renewal application. You will be required to pay a $50 processing fee.

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your renewal application, call the certification office at 405-521-3337 during normal business hours.

The Oklahoma Department of Education accepts your current, valid out-of-state credential for reciprocity certification. In order to be considered for a standard school counselor certification, you will submit the following application materials:

• You must complete an initial application on the Department of Education Single Sign On portal, located here
• You will also submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities you attended
• A copy of your current, valid school counselor credential
• Copies of any examinations you passed to satisfy requirements from your credentialing state
• $50 initial application fee

Additional Assistance

If you have questions about your initial application for reciprocity certification, you can call the Certification Office at 405-521-3337 during normal business hours CST.