The role of a Michigan school counselor can be fulfilled by individuals who hold any of the following credentials:
Two of the four credentials noted above are renewable:
Both credentials are valid for five-years with unlimited renewals. Review the detailed School Counselor Assignments information to determine which credential is appropriate for a specific assignment or role.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) issues the School Counselor License (SCL) in accordance the Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 380.1233, MCL 380.1531, and the Administrative Rules for the Certification and Licensure of School Counselors R 390.1305-1306.
Applicants who are enrolled in a school counselor program at an approved Educator Preparation Institution will be evaluated for eligibility of a School Counselor License (SCL) by the in-state university certification officer based upon the program they are completing. While completing a program an applicant may initially be recommended for a Preliminary School Counselor License (PSCL) to support employment and school placement/assignment during internship.
The SCL can be issued to candidates who have fulfilled all Michigan college/university and academic requirements, including the following:
Applicants who complete all requirements of an approved, school counselor education program in another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe, and/or fulfill requirements as noted above or who hold a valid or expired school counselor license from another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe, are eligible to be evaluated for the SCL by the Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence.
An application for the SCL is submitted via the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS). To be eligible for evaluation by the MDE Office of Educator Excellence (OEE), prior to applying all candidates must fulfill the following:
OR
Upon evaluation as an out-of-state candidate, qualifying applicants will be required to take and pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) School Counselor examination. The testing requirement may be substituted by three years of successful experience serving as a school counselor in another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe. The three years of experience must be documented and submitted as part of the MOECS application.
Out-of-state candidates who apply for the SCL may initially receive a Temporary School Counselor License (TSCL) to provide more time for testing, if necessary.
Note: Information pertaining to renewing a school counselor credential can be accessed via the School Counselor Credentials Renewals guidance.
Educators who hold the School Counselor (NT) endorsement on a teaching certificate, regardless of current assignment, must meet the requirements of law per MCL 380.1233(6-8) to renew that teaching certificate. Endorsements are not renewed; rather, certificates are renewed, and a renewal of that certificate will maintain the existing endorsements. An endorsement can only be removed from a Michigan teaching certificate if the nullification process is utilized.