School Counselor, PreK -12

A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met, please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.

• Application: A completed Application for Certification.
• Fee: The required fee is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable.
• AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting a master's or more advanced degree  and all applicable coursework.
  • Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation" list.

Master's Degree

• A master's or more advanced degree from an accredited institution.

One of the Following (Option A, B, C, or D):

Option A: Guidance and Counseling Graduate Program

• Completion of a graduate program in guidance and counseling from an accredited institution.

Option B: Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology Graduate Program

• Completion of a graduate program in counseling, social work, or psychology from an accredited institution.

Option C: Behavioral Health License

• A valid license as an associate counselor, professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. Submit a photocopy of the license.

Option D: Academic Advising Program

• Completion of a graduate program in Academic Advising from an accredited institution.

Individuals who have met the requirements listed above can qualify for a school counselor certificate. The certificate may be issued with one or more of the following allowable deficiencies, depending on the option used to qualify for the certificate.

Deficiency requirements must be completed within three years of certificate issuance.

Option A

Individuals who have completed a graduate program in guidance and counseling from an accredited institution will be issued a certificate with the following allowable deficiency if the requirement is not met at the time of certificate issuance:

• Practicum or Experience (One of the following):
  • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution. -OR-
  • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor.
    • Required documentation: Verification of PreK-12 Leadership & Professional Non-Teaching Experience form completed and signed by the school superintendent or personnel/HR Director, verifying the required experience; -OR-
  • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.
    • Required Documentation: Submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form completed and signed by the school superintendent or personnel/HR Director.

Option B & Option C

Individuals who have completed a graduate program in counseling, social work, or psychology from an accredited institution (Option B) OR who hold a valid license issued by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners (Option C) will be issued a certificate with the following allowable deficiencies if the requirements are not met at the time of certificate issuance:

• College and Career Guidance Coursework: Completion of six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: school counseling, college and career guidance, or academic advising.
• Practicum or Experience (One of the following):
  • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution. -OR-
  • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor.
    • Required documentation: Verification of PreK-12 Leadership & Professional Non-Teaching Experience form completed and signed by the school superintendent or personnel/HR Director, verifying the required experience; -OR-
  • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.
    • Required Documentation: Submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form completed and signed by the school superintendent or personnel/HR Director.

Option D

Individuals who have completed a graduate program in academic advising will be issued a certificate with the following allowable deficiencies if the requirements are not met at the time of certificate issuance:

• Counseling Coursework: Completion of six semester hours of courses in any of the following areas: social and emotional development, mental health counseling, trauma and disaster counseling, multiculturalism in counseling, theories of counseling, the foundation of school counseling, or child and adolescent counseling.
• Practicum or Experience (One of the following):
  • Practicum: Completion of a supervised counseling practicum in school counseling from an accredited institution. -OR-
  • School Counseling Experience: Verification of two years of full-time experience as a school counselor.
    • Required documentation: Verification of PreK-12 Leadership & Professional Non-Teaching Experience form completed and signed by the school superintendent or personnel/HR Director, verifying the required experience;-OR-
  • Teaching Experience: Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience.
    • Required Documentation: Submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience form completed and signed by the school superintendent or personnel/HR Director.

If the allowable deficiencies are not met within the specified timeframe, the certificate will be placed on non-disciplinary suspension and will not be valid for employment until the deficiencies are corrected.

For additional information and resources for meeting these deficiencies, please visit the Deficiency Removal page.

Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority

• Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
  • Official electronic transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected] or through Parchment.
  • Official paper transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to:
    Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit
    PO Box 6490
    Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490.
  • Foreign credential evaluations must be sent directly by the approved foreign credential evaluation agency to [email protected] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.
• Verification of Teaching Experience: If you are using teaching experience to meet Certification requirements, request that the district/school human resources office complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Teaching Experience following the instructions on the form.
• Verification of School Counseling Experience: If you are using school counselor experience to meet the Practicum/Experience requirement, please have your school/district human resources administrator or superintendent complete and submit the Verification of PreK-12 Leadership and Professional Non-Teaching Experience following the instructions on the form.

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

• AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
• Behavioral Health License (if applicable): Submit a photocopy of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners associate counselor, professional counselor, master or clinical social worker, or marriage and family therapist license.