Utah Links
Utah School Counselor Certification
Utah’s school counselors must earn the School Counselor (K-12) license.
Skip down to find information relevant to your situation:
- Top Picks
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.
Initial Utah School Counselor Certification
Here are the specific steps for acquiring an Educator Level One License:
Step 1: Education Requirements
You must earn a master’s degree in school counseling to become a school counselor in Utah.
If you earn your master’s degree in Utah, it must be from one of the approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPP).
If you earn a master’s degree outside of Utah, it must be accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Program (CACREP) or accepted by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The following programs are examples of accredited options:
- Top Picks
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.
All applicants must complete at least 60 semester hours in earning their master’s or doctorate degree in counselor education or counseling for mental health.
Step 2: Experience Requirements
You must complete 600 hours of field experience in the areas of professional counseling orientation and ethics, based on the requirement of the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, or National Board of Certified Counselors.
Only 400 hours of field experience is required if you’ve had two full years or more of in-class teaching experience that is accepted and licensed by the Utah State Board of Education.
Step 3: Examination Requirements
You must take and pass the School Counselor Praxis Exam (5422) exam. Learn more about registering for and taking this exam here.
Step 4: Fingerprinting and Background Check
You must complete an FBI background fingerprint check and submit your fingerprints to the Utah State Board of Education via LiveScan or fingerprint cards. Learn more about submitting your fingerprint cards here.
Step 5: Organizing Your Materials for Application:
- Create an account through the Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS)
- Schedule an appointment at one of the local Utah Educator LiveScan Fingerprint Sites.
- Submit appropriate endorsements if selecting school counseling in secondary education, special needs, or career and technical education licenses.
- Submit your Praxis exam results.
- Gather and submit official transcripts either digitally, which will be sent directly from the university to the USBE transcript email, or by obtaining hard copies and including them in your mailed packet.
- Include copies of all previous educator licenses.
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Apply through your Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS) account.
Direct any questions to [email protected] or (801) 538-7740.
Utah School Counselor Certification Renewal
Educators holding a Professional Educator License with experience in a Utah educational agency, school, school district or charter for the past five (5) years are not required to complete the license renewal form or obtain an administrator’s signature.
Otherwise, you must complete the complete the online renewal process through your Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS) account.
Utah School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
Utah allows out-of-state applicants to apply for school counselor licensure through reciprocity. If you already hold a school counseling certificate in another state and have proof that you’ve completed your master’s program through an approved and accredited institution, you are eligible to apply.
For additional direction, here is more detailed information which covers out of state licensing requirements for school counselors.