How to Become a Minnesota School Counselor

Written by Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D., Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Becoming a licensed school counselor in Minnesota means navigating a tiered licensing system, meeting specific fieldwork requirements, and completing graduate training aligned with state standards. Minnesota has also been actively investing in school counseling, including a 2024 law (SF 4669) that mandates a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio statewide.

Where are you on your path?

• I’m a High School Graduate
• I’ve already earned a college degree
• I’m a certified counselor from another state

Becoming a School Counselor in Minnesota

Minnesota school districts are overseen by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), which sets statewide academic standards while individual “Independent School Districts” maintain some curriculum autonomy. School counselors in Minnesota are licensed through PELSB and authorized to serve students in kindergarten through grade 12.

In July 2024, the state legislature passed SF 4669, which mandates one school counselor for every 250 students from pre-K through grade 12. The law also spells out what school counselors are expected to do: help students with goal setting, provide direct support in academic, social-emotional, and postsecondary planning, connect at-risk students to resources, and offer both individual and group counseling on a short-term basis.

Minnesota counselors can find professional community and support through the Minnesota School Counselors Association (MSCA), which offers resources, advocacy, and networking for practitioners across the state.

I’m a High School Graduate

If you’re starting from a high school diploma, the first step is straightforward: you need a bachelor’s degree. You can’t become a school counselor in Minnesota without one. You’ll eventually need a master’s degree to get licensed, so the sooner you start building toward that, the better.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Your undergraduate major doesn’t have to be school counseling. Many counselors come from psychology, social work, education, or human services backgrounds. What matters is that you earn an accredited bachelor’s degree and start confirming this is the career you want. Volunteering with children and young people is one of the best ways to do that.

A few Minnesota organizations that place volunteers with youth:

• MENTOR Minnesota
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota
• Minnesota Directory of Schools and School Districts

Step 2: Choose a Graduate Program

Once you have your bachelor’s degree, the next move is finding a CACREP-accredited master’s degree in school counseling. Your graduate program is where the real preparation happens: fieldwork hours, counseling theory, and clinical training. Choose a program that’s accredited and approved by Minnesota’s licensing board.

I’ve Already Earned a College Degree

If you have a bachelor’s degree and are ready to pursue licensing, here’s what the process looks like.

Step 1: Earn a Master’s Degree in School Counseling

Minnesota requires school counselors to hold a master’s degree in school counseling, or to have a master’s in another field and separately complete a Board of Teaching preparation program approved for school counseling certification. Most people pursue the first route. Programs typically run two to three years and include both classroom coursework and supervised field experiences.

Your program should be CACREP-accredited or approved by Minnesota’s PELSB. This matters for Tier 3 licensing later on.

Step 2: Complete 700 Hours of Supervised Fieldwork

Fieldwork is built into your master’s program and comes in two phases. The first is a practicum: 100 hours of heavily supervised, direct counseling experience, typically completed early in the program. The second is an internship: a minimum of 600 hours with more independence and direct client contact.

That’s 700 hours total, minimum. CACREP-accredited programs structure these experiences to meet both accreditation and state licensing requirements.

Step 3: Understand Minnesota’s Licensing Tiers

Minnesota uses a tiered licensing structure through PELSB. There is no Tier 1 for school counselors.

Tier 2 is the entry-level license for new school counselors. It’s valid for two years and can be renewed up to three times. To qualify, you need a master’s degree in counseling, or a bachelor’s degree with current enrollment in an accredited school counseling program, at least 24 completed credits in school counseling coursework, and a documented plan to finish the master’s within three academic years. The hiring district also plays a role: they must request the Tier 2 license from PELSB, assign a Tier 3 or Tier 4 supervisor if you’re still in your program, and affirm that your position is a learning experience, not a replacement for a fully licensed counselor.

Tier 3 is the standard full license, valid for three years and renewable indefinitely. You’ll need a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and verification that you completed a state-approved or CACREP-accredited preparation program.

Tier 4 requires everything Tier 3 requires, plus at least three years of experience as a school counselor in Minnesota without a formal improvement plan during that period.

No exam is required for any tier of Minnesota school counselor licensure. For full details on renewal timelines and reciprocity, see the Minnesota school counselor certification requirements.

Step 4: Complete a Background Check

All applicants must complete a national and state fingerprint background check. To request fingerprint cards, email PELSB at [email protected] with the subject line “Fingerprint Card Request” and include your full name and mailing address. You can also call 651-539-4200 and select Option 1. Fingerprinting is completed at a local police station or designated fingerprinting location.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Applications are submitted through Minnesota’s online licensing system. Your complete packet must include official transcripts from all institutions you’ve attended, your fingerprint card, a Conduct Review Statement (plus supporting documentation if applicable), and the $90.25 application and processing fee. Submit everything in one packet. Incomplete applications are not processed. For questions, contact the PELSB licensing office at 651-582-8691.

I’m a Certified Counselor from Another State

Minnesota doesn’t offer direct credential transfer from other states. If you’re currently licensed as a school counselor in another state, PELSB will evaluate your credentials to determine whether your qualifications are comparable to Minnesota’s requirements. Teaching experience is not required. School counselors work in educational settings but aren’t expected to have classroom or curriculum experience.

If your out-of-state degree is from a regionally accredited institution and your program requirements are equivalent to Minnesota’s, you may qualify for a Tier 2 license while you work through the full evaluation process. A background check is still required. For more information on transferring your credentials, contact the Minnesota Department of Education at 651-582-8691.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a school counselor in Minnesota?

For most people, the process takes six to seven years: four years for a bachelor’s degree and two to three years for a master’s program. That timeline assumes you move directly from undergraduate to graduate school. Career changers who already have a bachelor’s degree can often complete the process in two to three years once they’re enrolled in a master’s program.

Do I need to pass an exam to get my Minnesota school counselor license?

No. Minnesota does not require school counselors to pass a content, pedagogy, or basic skills examination for any tier of licensure. The licensing process is based on your degree, fieldwork, background check, and application — not a test score.

Can I work as a school counselor while finishing my master’s degree?

Yes, in some cases. Under a Tier 2 license, you can work in a school counseling position while still enrolled in your program — but the hiring district has to request the license from PELSB, provide supervision from a Tier 3 or Tier 4 counselor, and confirm that your role is a learning experience, not a replacement for a fully licensed position. You’ll also need to show meaningful progress toward completing your degree at each renewal.

Does it matter what school level I want to work at — elementary, middle, or high school?

No. Minnesota’s school counselor license covers grades K-12. You don’t need separate credentials to work at different school levels. The day-to-day work looks different across grade levels, but the licensing requirements are the same.

What’s the job outlook for school counselors in Minnesota?

Minnesota projects 310 annual job openings for school counselors through 2032, with a 6.7% growth rate over the decade. The 2024 SF 4669 mandate — requiring one counselor for every 250 students — is expected to drive hiring in districts that are currently understaffed. School counselors in Minnesota earned a median salary of $63,230 in 2024, according to BLS data.

Dr. Lauren Davis, Ed.D.

Dr. Lauren Davis is the editor in chief of School-Counselor.org with over 15 years of experience in K-12 school counseling. She holds an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her work focuses on helping prospective school counselors navigate degree programs, state licensing requirements, and the realities of the profession.

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