How to Become a School Counselor: Requirements, Salary & FAQ
Becoming a school counselor typically requires a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in school counseling or other qualifying graduate-level preparation, a supervised practicum/internship, and a state-issued credential. Most states also require passing a comprehensive exam and a background check, but the specific exam, timing, and requirements vary by state.
Most states require a master's degree or other qualifying graduate-level preparation, plus a state credential, before you can work as a school counselor in a public school, but the path looks different depending on where you live. Some states call the credential a license, others a certificate, and the exam requirements shift accordingly. What stays consistent almost everywhere: a bachelor's degree first, then graduate-level preparation with supervised fieldwork, then a state review before you're allowed in front of students on your own.
The job itself sits between teaching and counseling. School counselors help students work through academic goals, social pressure, and personal problems that get in the way of school, and they're often the first adult a student tells when something at home or at school has gone wrong. It's one of several education career options worth weighing if you like working with students but want something other than a classroom of your own.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a School Counselor?
Education and Certification Requirements
To work as a school counselor in a public school, you need a state-issued credential, called a license in some states and a certificate in others. Getting it typically requires a master's degree in school counseling or a closely related field, plus completing the supervised practicum/internship required by your state and preparation program.
Most states require school counselors to hold a master's degree in school counseling or other qualifying graduate-level preparation, and licensing requirements differ from state to state. Programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) are common, though CACREP accreditation isn't a universal state requirement: check your state's certification or licensure agency before assuming a program qualifies.
Most states also expect a bachelor's degree already in hand before you start the master's program, and some require one to two years of classroom teaching experience or a teaching credential first. Counting both degrees, the path typically runs six to eight years from the start of your bachelor's to your first day with a counselor credential in hand, though it can move faster or slower depending on how the program is structured.
Two national organizations offer optional certification and endorsement options worth knowing about: the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). NBCC's National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential requires NCC status plus its own education, examination, supervision, and experience requirements, and neither credential replaces your state school-counselor license or certificate.
There are more than 450 colleges and universities offering certification and master's programs in school counseling, and many of those also offer Ph.D., Ed.D., or Psy.D. programs in counselor education for counselors who want to move into supervision, higher ed, or research. If you're weighing programs, School Counseling covers what a typical master's curriculum looks like.
Testing Requirements
Credentialing requirements vary by state and may involve a state or national comprehensive exam, according to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). No single test applies nationwide. Arkansas, for example, currently lists the Praxis School Counselor (5422), with a passing score of 146 for Guidance/Counseling K-12. Check your own state's certification or licensure agency for the exam it actually requires: test names and passing scores change, and a program's accreditation doesn't guarantee it covers your specific state's exam.
Background Checks
Background-check requirements and timing vary by state and employer. Some states fold criminal-history checks into the educator credentialing process itself, while others handle them entirely through the hiring district. Ask your prospective employer and your state's certification agency what their process involves.
School Counselor: Requirements, Salary & FAQ by Degree Level
The tables and charts below break down the education level obtained as averaged across the U.S.
| Degree Level | Percent (%) |
|---|---|
| Less Than High School Diploma | 0.8% |
| High School Diploma | 5.0% |
| Some College | 9.9% |
| Associate Degree | 5.5% |
| Bachelors Degree | 26.3% |
| Masters Degree | 47.5% |
| Doctorate Degree | 5.1% |
Data taken from BLS Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2010-11 (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_111.htm)
What Does a School Counselor Do?
School counselors help students build the academic and social skills they need to get through school, and the day-to-day work looks different depending on the grade level.
On the Job
Counselors work with students individually and in small groups on everything from study skills and time management to coping with a hard year at home. They help students set realistic academic goals, and they run lessons or assemblies on topics like bullying, planning for college, and substance abuse when a school needs to reach a lot of students at once.
Reporting Neglect or Abuse
Counselors usually have a private office for confidential conversations with students, and if a student discloses neglect or abuse, the counselor is required to report it to the proper authorities immediately. This is one of the clearest legal obligations in the job, and it's non-negotiable regardless of school policy.
Elementary School Counselors
At the elementary level, counselors focus on building the study and decision-making skills students need for later grades, and they spend a lot of time observing students to catch behavioral issues or possible special needs early.
Middle School Counselors
Middle school counselors help students set academic goals and work through the social pressures that tend to show up hardest at this age.
High School Counselors
High school counselors take on more of an academic and career advising role, helping students choose classes that match their goals and working through personal issues that are getting in the way of graduation or college plans.
Where Do School Counselors Work?
Certified school counselors work in public, private, and charter elementary, middle, and high schools.
Public Schools
Public schools can't charge tuition and are funded by state and federal money, with the local school district (not the individual school) controlling curriculum, staffing, and budget decisions. Because public schools have to accept any student living in the district, class sizes tend to run larger and more diverse than private schools.
Private Schools
Private schools charge tuition and operate independently of government oversight, which gives them more room to set their own standards for staff and students. Class sizes are usually smaller.
Charter Schools
Charter schools don't charge tuition but run independently of the district, which gives them more flexibility and more accountability for results. They tend to run smaller than traditional public schools.
School Counselor Organizations
Two organizations are worth knowing if you're entering the field: the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the American College Counseling Association (ACCA). Both offer professional development, standards guidance, and networking for practicing counselors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a school counselor?
Most people spend four years on a bachelor's degree, then another two to three years completing a master's in school counseling with supervised fieldwork. That puts the typical timeline at six to eight years total, though it varies by program and state.
Do school counselors need a teaching license?
It depends on the state. Some states require one to two years of classroom teaching experience or an existing teaching credential before you can pursue school counselor certification. Others don't. Check your state's department of education before assuming either way.
What degree do you need to become a school counselor?
Most states require a master's degree in school counseling or other qualifying graduate-level preparation, on top of a bachelor's degree, though the exact requirement varies by state. Programs accredited by CACREP are common, but CACREP accreditation isn't a universal state requirement, and some states accept non-CACREP programs.
What's the difference between a school counselor and a guidance counselor?
Nothing functionally - "guidance counselor" is the older term for the same role. Most states and professional organizations now use "school counselor," reflecting a shift from purely academic advising toward a broader focus on social and emotional development.
Is school counseling a good career?
It depends on what you're looking for. Counselors get to work closely with students during some of their hardest moments, and many find that rewarding. It also comes with real weight: mandatory reporting obligations, large caseloads in some districts, and salaries that vary widely by state and setting.
- Graduate-level preparation required - Most states require a master's degree in school counseling or other qualifying graduate-level preparation before certification, though the exact requirement varies by state.
- State credential, not one national standard - Your state's certification or licensure agency decides the exact license or certificate name, exam, and hour requirements.
- Background checks vary by state - Some states fold criminal-history checks into credentialing itself, while others handle it entirely through the hiring district.
- Testing varies by state - Arkansas currently lists the Praxis School Counselor (5422), but check your own state's exam before assuming it's the same.
- Timeline runs six to eight years - Counting both the bachelor's and master's degree, plus supervised fieldwork.
National wage figure (May 2025) and state-level figures (2022 release) for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012) are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Figures reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2026.
Choosing a school counseling program means weighing accreditation, format, and whether fieldwork placements fit your schedule. The sponsored programs listed on this page include options built for people balancing a master's with a job or family, and several note their accreditation status up front.
What Is the Salary of a School Counselor?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the May 2025 mean annual wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors was $71,430 nationally. The state-by-state breakdown below is still from the BLS's 2022 release, the most recent per-state data in this project's files for this occupation.
Salary (2025) and Job Outlook (2012 to 2020) by State
According to the published BLS data from 2025, the national average salary for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors is $71,430, with an estimated 353,310 being employed nationwide. Also, the job outlook growth projection from 2012 to 2020 is expected to increase by 11.9%.
| State | Projected Growth (%) | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10.9% | $59,540 |
| Alaska | 9.6% | $79,910 |
| Arizona | 21.2% | $61,270 |
| Arkansas | 14.1% | $59,370 |
| California | 12.2% | $93,610 |
| Colorado | 18.7% | $69,470 |
| Connecticut | 13.2% | $75,730 |
| Delaware | 9.5% | $72,490 |
| Florida | 20.2% | $58,380 |
| Georgia | 30.9% | $68,410 |
| Hawaii | 8.0% | $68,650 |
| Idaho | 9.0% | $62,800 |
| Illinois | 8.5% | $70,230 |
| Indiana | 9.4% | $61,000 |
| Iowa | 11.4% | $58,190 |
| Kansas | 14.3% | $58,560 |
| Kentucky | 13.7% | $65,740 |
| Louisiana | 11.9% | $63,910 |
| Maine | 2.8% | $61,230 |
| Maryland | 9.3% | $78,920 |
| Massachusetts | 10.9% | $85,660 |
| Michigan | - | $62,900 |
| Minnesota | 6.7% | $69,080 |
| Mississippi | 14.5% | $57,380 |
| Missouri | 8.1% | $59,160 |
| Montana | 5.8% | $63,130 |
| Nebraska | 11.4% | $68,570 |
| Nevada | 9.3% | $68,740 |
| New Hampshire | 8.2% | $71,400 |
| New Jersey | 5.2% | $81,430 |
| New Mexico | 25.2% | $75,480 |
| New York | 7.4% | $77,210 |
| North Carolina | 14.4% | $56,710 |
| North Dakota | 12.1% | $61,790 |
| Ohio | 12.1% | $67,200 |
| Oklahoma | 9.2% | $56,830 |
| Oregon | 13.8% | $77,070 |
| Pennsylvania | 5.6% | $67,110 |
| Rhode Island | 7.4% | $75,730 |
| South Carolina | 13.4% | $62,000 |
| South Dakota | 5.9% | $53,980 |
| Tennessee | 12.6% | $61,020 |
| Texas | 22.0% | $69,940 |
| Utah | 26.7% | $66,970 |
| Vermont | 6.8% | $68,260 |
| Virginia | 18.1% | $71,920 |
| Washington | 16.9% | $87,680 |
| Washington, DC | - | $82,700 |
| West Virginia | - | $55,100 |
| Wisconsin | 5.2% | $66,440 |
| Wyoming | 13.1% | $67,580 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors (SOC Code: 21-1012)
Salary (2025) By Largest Metropolitan Areas
| Area | Employed | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 990 | $78,850 |
Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors (SOC Code: 21-1012)