How to Become a Wyoming School Counselor
To become a school counselor in Wyoming, you need a master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited program, an Institutional Recommendation from your university, a background check with fingerprint cards, and proof of U.S. and Wyoming Constitution knowledge. Wyoming does not require the Praxis exam. The license is issued through the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board and is valid for five years.
Wyoming Links
Wyoming’s demand for school counselors is steady, and the career offers real variety — from rural districts spanning thousands of square miles to growing communities like Casper and Cheyenne. The median salary runs in the mid-$60,000 range, and the state’s job projections show above-average growth compared to many education roles. For a fuller picture of salary and outlook, visit the Wyoming school counselor overview page.
This page walks through the path to licensure for three groups: people just starting out, people who already have a college degree, and counselors coming from another state.
I’m a High School Graduate…
You don’t need to know exactly where you’re headed yet. School counseling requires a master’s degree, so the first goal is finishing your undergraduate education. Any bachelor’s program works — you don’t have to major in counseling, psychology, or education, though those fields will give you helpful background.
Step One:
Enroll in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in a field that interests you. Psychology, sociology, education, and human development are natural fits, but they’re not requirements. What matters is that you finish your four-year degree.
Step Two:
Before or during your undergraduate years, look for opportunities to work with young people. Volunteering gives you a clearer sense of whether school counseling is the right fit — and it gives graduate programs something to look at in your application.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters places volunteers in mentoring relationships with youth across Wyoming
- The Wyoming school district list can help you find schools near you that may welcome volunteers or classroom aides
When you’re ready to move on to your graduate education, pick up at the next section.
I Have Already Earned a College Degree…
This is the section for most readers — people with a bachelor’s degree who are ready to pursue the master’s and licensure. Here’s the full path.
Step One: Earn a master’s degree in school counseling.
Wyoming requires a master’s degree in school counseling specifically, not just any counseling or education degree. The degree must come from a regionally or nationally accredited institution, and your program must be willing to issue an Institutional Recommendation confirming you completed a school counseling program.
The University of Wyoming offers a 61-credit MS in Counseling with a school counseling concentration. It’s CACREP-accredited through October 2028, which matters because CACREP accreditation often supports interstate licensure if you ever move. If you’re considering an online program from out of state, verify that the program prepares graduates for Wyoming certification and that they’ll issue an Institutional Recommendation on your behalf.
Step Two: Satisfy the experience requirement.
Wyoming recognizes four paths for meeting the experience requirement. You need to complete one of the following:
- An approved one-year full-time internship as a school counselor (the most common path for people entering the field without prior educator credentials)
- Two years of full-time, licensed teaching experience
- Two years of at least half-time work as a school counselor (typically used by out-of-state candidates)
- Some human services experience may be considered — confirm eligibility with PTSB, as approvals are case-specific
Most graduate programs in school counseling include a supervised internship as part of the degree, so for many candidates, the degree and the internship experience are fulfilled together. Talk to your program advisor about how fieldwork is scheduled and whether it can run alongside part-time work.
Step Three: Submit fingerprint cards for a background check.
Wyoming requires two blue FBI fingerprint cards forwarded to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. To request a fingerprint packet, email [email protected] with your name, phone number, and mailing address, with the subject line: FINGERPRINT CARD REQUEST. Local law enforcement agencies and the Wyoming DCI office in Cheyenne can complete the fingerprinting. A processing fee applies — verify the current amount with PTSB before submitting.
Wyoming can’t accept background check results from other agencies — even if you’ve been fingerprinted before, you’ll need to go through Wyoming’s process.
Step Four: Demonstrate knowledge of the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions.
This is a requirement that surprises some candidates. Wyoming requires all school counselor applicants to show knowledge of both the U.S. Constitution and the Wyoming Constitution. You can satisfy this through approved college coursework or by passing two 20-question exams created by the PTSB. Study guides are available through the board, and the exams can be taken at the PTSB office in Cheyenne, at any Wyoming school district, or through an out-of-state arrangement.
The Wyoming School Counselor Certification page covers this requirement in more detail, along with renewal and reciprocity specifics.
Step Five: Apply through the PTSB Online Licensure System.
Submit your application through the PTSB Online Licensure System. Your application will need to include:
- Official transcripts with your degree listed
- The Institutional Recommendation form (confirm with your program whether it’s sent directly to PTSB or provided to you for submission)
- Two fingerprint cards
- Payment for the application fee
Processing a complete application typically takes four to six weeks. Incomplete applications are delayed or canceled, so confirm all materials are in order before submitting. Contact the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board at (307) 777-7291 or [email protected] with any questions.
A note on the Praxis: Wyoming does not require the Praxis exam for school counselor licensure. Some sources claim otherwise — that’s an error. The only assessment Wyoming requires is the constitutional knowledge demonstration described in Step Four above.
I’m a Certified Counselor from Another State…
If you’re already licensed as a school counselor in another state, Wyoming participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement and reviews out-of-state credentials through a reciprocity process.
You’ll still need to complete a full application through the PTSB Online Licensure System, including official transcripts, fingerprint cards, and the constitutional knowledge requirement. If your home state required an exam as part of licensure, Wyoming may accept those scores.
Out-of-state applicants may need to demonstrate recent school counseling experience — exact requirements depend on how your original credential was issued and will be determined through PTSB’s credential review process. Learn more about applying as an out-of-state candidate at the PTSB website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Wyoming?
If you’re starting from a bachelor’s degree, expect two to three years for the master’s program, which typically includes your supervised fieldwork. If you’re coming in with teaching experience or prior human services work that satisfies the experience requirement, the path may be shorter. Once your application is complete and submitted to PTSB, processing typically takes four to six weeks.
Can I work while completing my school counseling master’s program?
It depends on your program’s structure. Many school counseling programs include a full-time internship component that’s difficult to complete alongside full-time work. Some candidates manage part-time employment during coursework, then shift schedules for the fieldwork phase. Talk to your program advisor early about how fieldwork is scheduled and what’s realistic given your situation.
Do I need a teaching license before becoming a school counselor in Wyoming?
No. Teaching experience is one option for satisfying Wyoming’s experience requirement, but it’s not required. The most common path for candidates without a teaching background is completing an approved internship through their master’s program. You don’t need to teach before becoming a school counselor.
What if my master’s degree is from an out-of-state program?
Out-of-state degrees are generally acceptable, provided the program is from a regionally or nationally accredited institution and your program will issue an Institutional Recommendation for Wyoming certification. CACREP-accredited programs are a strong choice because they’re widely recognized across state lines. If you’re already licensed in another state, see the reciprocity section above. Verify with PTSB if you have any questions about your specific program’s eligibility.
Does Wyoming require the Praxis exam for school counselors?
No. Wyoming does not require the Praxis for school counselor licensure. Several sources online state otherwise, but those claims are incorrect. The only assessment requirement for Wyoming school counselor licensure is demonstrating knowledge of the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions, which you can satisfy through coursework or by passing PTSB’s exams. For full certification details, visit the Wyoming School Counselor Certification page.
- No Praxis required — Wyoming does not require the Praxis exam for school counselor licensure. The only assessment is demonstrating knowledge of the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions.
- The master’s degree is non-negotiable — You need a master’s specifically in school counseling, plus an Institutional Recommendation from your program.
- Four paths to meet the experience requirement — An approved internship, teaching experience, prior counseling work, or qualifying human services experience may all count. Confirm your specific situation with PTSB.
- Budget time for the background check — Fingerprint processing through Wyoming DCI adds time on top of the four-to-six-week application review.
- Constitution knowledge is required — Wyoming uniquely requires proof of U.S. and Wyoming Constitution proficiency. Plan for this step early in the process.
Ready to dig into the certification details — exams, renewal, and reciprocity?
