Virginia School Counselor Certification
To work as a school counselor in Virginia, you need a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) License with a school counselor endorsement, issued by the Virginia Department of Education. The license requires a master’s degree from a state-approved program, 200 supervised fieldwork hours split between elementary and secondary settings, and mandatory training in child safety and mental health. Virginia does not require a state counseling exam.
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Virginia school counselors need a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) License with a school counselor endorsement — and getting there means a master’s degree from a state-approved program, 200 hours of supervised fieldwork, mandatory training, and a full application packet to the Virginia Department of Education. The steps are clear, and most master’s programs in school counseling are designed to get you there. Here’s what the process looks like.
Looking for a Place to Launch Your Career? Try the DC Area
One of the advantages of a school counseling career is that jobs are available in a wide range of settings. Most K–12 schools employ counselors, so you often don’t have to relocate to get started.
If you are open to moving, Virginia’s neighborhoods surrounding Washington, D.C. are worth a look. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the D.C./Arlington/Alexandria metro area ranks among the top ten in the country for school counselor employment, with thousands of positions across the region. Living in Northern Virginia puts both D.C. public schools and surrounding suburban districts within reach — a meaningful advantage when you’re building out your career options.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024.
Initial Virginia School Counselor Certification
As soon as you enter the field, you’ll need your PPS License in hand. Most candidates get there right after completing their master’s program. Here are the steps.
Step One: Education Requirements
Virginia offers two pathways to meet the education requirement.
Option One: Earn a master’s degree from a state-approved school counselor preparation program. The most direct route is a Master of School Counseling, though some programs offer a school counseling concentration within a broader counseling or educational psychology degree. Online programs are available. The program must include a supervised practicum and internship component (see Step Two) and be approved by the state — regional accreditation alone doesn’t satisfy this requirement.
Option Two: If you already hold a master’s degree in a field outside school counseling, you may be able to complete an approved school counselor certificate program that adds the required coursework and field experience. This path tends to take longer than enrolling in a school counseling master’s program from the start, so it’s best suited for people who already have a graduate credential.
Note: Candidates whose school counseling education was completed outside the United States will need a credential evaluation from an approved credential evaluation service. The evaluation must confirm equivalency to a U.S.-accredited master’s degree in school counseling and include a full accounting of credit hours and coursework.
Step Two: Fieldwork Requirements
Virginia requires a total of 200 supervised clock hours, split between two grade bands: at least 100 hours in the preK–6 setting and at least 100 hours in the grades 7–12 setting. Most state-approved master’s programs satisfy this through their internship and practicum sequence.
In limited cases, prior full-time teaching or school counseling experience may be considered by VDOE toward certain requirements — for example, two years of full-time teaching or two years of full-time school counseling experience in a public or accredited nonpublic school — but most candidates must complete a state-approved program with supervised practicum and internship hours. Time served under a provisional license may count toward the experience component in qualifying situations. If you’re unsure which pathway applies to your background, contact the VDOE Office of Licensure.
Step Three: Mandatory Training Requirements
Virginia requires all applicants to complete training in several areas before submitting their application.
Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention: Required for every applicant. Curriculum must follow Virginia Board of Education guidelines. Verification of completed training is required with your application packet. Detailed guidance is available through the VDOE child abuse training page.
Emergency First Aid, CPR, and AED: Must be completed through a nationally recognized program such as the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. See VDOE’s emergency training page for accepted programs.
Dyslexia Awareness: Required for all applicants. A free module is available through the Virginia Department of Education.
Mental/Behavioral Health: Virginia law requires training in recognizing vulnerability for depression, substance abuse, trauma, violence, and youth suicide. Candidates who graduated from a CACREP-accredited school counseling program after January 2016 often meet this requirement through their coursework, but should confirm with their program or VDOE. Others can complete it through VDOE’s webinar library, Mental Health First Aid training, or other approved options.
Step Four: Preparing Your Application
Once you’ve completed your master’s program, fieldwork, and mandatory training, you’re ready to put together your application packet for the Virginia Department of Education. Consult the VDOE licensure page for the current application form and up-to-date instructions. Here’s what to include.
- Complete and sign all pages of the application. Your Social Security number is required; applications missing it will be rejected.
- Include the application fee. Fees are typically around $100 for in-state applicants and $150 for out-of-state applicants, though these are subject to change — check VDOE for current amounts. Payment is accepted by money order, certified check, personal check, or cashier’s check, made payable to the “Treasurer of Virginia.”
- Submit a completed College Verification Form, filled out by the certification officer at your institution. Also include a completed Internship Verification Form from an official at your approved internship site.
- Include documentation of your required experience hours, signed by a school official.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Follow VDOE instructions regarding transcript submission, as requirements may vary.
- If you’ve taken any Virginia examinations, include copies of your test scores.
- If applicable, include a copy of your out-of-state license with supporting documentation.
- Include proof of completion for all mandatory training: Child Abuse/Neglect, Emergency First Aid/CPR/AED, Dyslexia Awareness, and Mental/Behavioral Health.
Note: Virginia does not require fingerprinting or a background check as part of the licensure application itself; however, all school districts require background checks prior to employment.
Step Five: Submitting Your Application
Submit your application according to current VDOE guidelines — some applications may be submitted electronically. Check the VDOE licensure website for the latest submission process. If mailing, gather everything into one packet and send it to:
Virginia Dept. of Education, Division of Education and LicensureP.O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
Virginia School Counselor Certification Renewal
Your Pupil Personnel Services License is valid for 10 years. To renew, you’ll need to accumulate 270 professional development points during the renewal cycle. You must also complete updated mandatory training in all required areas — child abuse recognition, CPR/AED, dyslexia awareness, and mental/behavioral health — at each renewal. Renewal applications should be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education through the standard VDOE licensure process.
Virginia School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity
If you hold a valid school counselor license from another state and want to practice in Virginia, you can apply for certification through reciprocity. Submit a complete application to the Virginia Department of Education, including all official transcripts and supporting documentation in a single packet. No professional teaching assessment is required, provided your out-of-state license is fully accredited without deficiency. VDOE offers a comparison tool on their licensure website to check whether your state’s credentials qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Virginia require a counseling exam for school counselor certification?
No. Virginia does not require a state counseling exam for the Pupil Personnel Services License. Unlike many other states, candidates don’t need to pass the Praxis School Counselor Assessment or a comparable exam to apply for licensure. Requirements center on education, fieldwork, and mandatory training.
What is the Pupil Personnel Services License?
The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) License is Virginia’s credential for school-based support personnel, including school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. School counselors apply for the PPS License with a school counselor endorsement. It’s issued by the Virginia Department of Education — not the Virginia Board of Counseling, which handles LPC and LMFT credentials separately.
How long does it take to become a certified school counselor in Virginia?
Most candidates complete the process in around seven to eight years from the start of their bachelor’s degree, though timelines vary depending on program pace and prior experience. A full-time master’s program in school counseling typically takes two years, and most state-approved programs satisfy the fieldwork requirement through their internship sequence. If you’re applying with an existing master’s in another field and completing a certificate program, plan for additional time.
What counts toward Virginia’s mandatory mental/behavioral health training requirement?
Virginia requires training in five categories: depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse. Candidates who graduated from a CACREP-accredited school counseling program after January 2016 often have this covered in their coursework, but should confirm with their program or VDOE. Others can complete it through VDOE’s webinar library, Mental Health First Aid training, or other VDOE-approved options. This requirement applies to both initial licensure and renewal.
- No state exam required — Virginia doesn’t require the Praxis or a comparable exam for the PPS License, making the credential pathway more straightforward than many other states.
- 200 fieldwork hours across two grade bands — At least 100 hours in preK–6 settings and 100 hours in grades 7–12. Most state-approved master’s programs cover this through their internship sequence.
- Mandatory training is part of the application — Child abuse recognition, CPR/AED, dyslexia awareness, and mental/behavioral health training are all required before you can submit your packet.
- The license is valid for 10 years — Renewal requires 270 professional development points plus updated completion of all mandatory training areas.
- Out-of-state counselors can apply through reciprocity — A fully accredited license from another state may qualify without a professional teaching assessment.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, start with the state where you plan to practice. Virginia’s licensure requirements are built around state-approved programs, and aligning your degree with VDOE’s standards before you enroll can save you time later.
