Inside USBE > Departments and Programs > Prevention and Student Services > School Counseling Programs > School Counseling Licensing
Professional school counselors serve a crucial role in increasing student success. Through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change, school counselors promote a whole child approach to academic, career, social, and emotional development for each student. School counselors must have a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling and meet the following guidelines as defined under the School Counseling Licensing Requirements tab.
Licensing requirements will be determined by where applicants attend their master’s program (in-state versus out-of-state). The following information outlines the requirements for those who attend an in-state program versus an out-of-state program. There is not an Alternate Pathway for School Counseling.
Applicants for Utah School Counseling Licensure, who have attended an institution in-state, and who are not licensed in school counseling must meet the following requirements:
Applicants for Utah School Counseling Licensure, who have attended an institution out-of-state (including an online program), and who are not licensed in school counseling must meet the following requirements:
School counselors looking to renew a current/expired license will need to follow procedures outlined by the Utah State Board of Education Renew/Upgrade a Utah Educator License.
For further information regarding Utah Educator Licensing, refer to the Utah State Board of Education Educator Licensing website.
1. Do I need to have a master’s degree in school counseling to become a practicing school counselor in Utah?
Yes, there is not an alternate pathway to becoming a school counselor in Utah. Applicants must have a minimum of a master’s degree or higher in school counseling as well as meet the requirements outlined under the School Counseling Licensing Requirements tab. Related master’s degrees (i.e., Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), etc.) do not fulfill the requirements needed to be licensed as a school counselor in Utah.
2. Can a Utah State Board of Education School Counseling Program Specialist verify that an out-of-state (online) program meets accreditation criteria?
No, it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify that the school counseling master’s program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Program (CACREP) approved or meets the Board approved Standards for Utah School Counselor Education Programs.
3. Is an undergraduate degree in education (example, teaching) required in order to apply for a school counseling master’s degree program?
Applicants should work with the graduate department of the program of interest directly to determine admission requirements. In most circumstances, an undergraduate degree in education is not required.
4. Is a Professional Educator License in Utah required to obtain a license in school counseling?
All educators in Utah practice under a Professional Educator License. To receive a Professional Educator License for school counseling, applicants must meet the requirements outlined under the School Counseling Licensing Requirements tab.
5. How can I earn Professional Learning Points to renew an expired school counseling license that is relative to my profession?
There are many ways to earn Professional Learning Points when renewing an expired school counseling license. Some examples of professional learning opportunities, offered by the Utah State Board of Education, that support the role of the school counselor are:
In the 2015 General Session, House Bill 198 created the Strengthening Career Readiness for All Students. The goal of this program is to improve students’ college and career readiness by enhancing the skill level of school counselors who provide college and career counseling. Under this legislation, the State Board, in collaboration with educational entities and business/industry partners, developed a certificate for school counselors that certifies that a school counselor is highly skilled at providing college and career counseling.
This certificate program is governed by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Administrative Rules R277-921: Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program and is comprised of three components.
Components One and Three are offered through Utah Microcredentials, You must be logged into MIDAS to access the microcredential.
Component One Stack: Building a College-Going Culture for All Students. To complete Component One, you must complete the full stack of three (3) microcredentials.
Microcredentials for Component One:
Component Three Stack: Strengthening Career Readiness for All Students. To complete Component Three, you must complete the full stack of three (3) microcredentials
Microcredentials for Component Three:
Registration information for Component 2 is outlined below. Requirements necessary to satisfy Component 2 differs for those who have already obtained a Utah Professional Educator License and those seeking licensure. Please read the information carefully to ensure appropriate enrollment.
Practicing Utah School Counselors who hold a Professional Educator License satisfy Component Two requirements by completing the School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training (within the last six years of applying for the certificate). Registration information for the School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training can be found on the School Counseling Programs Calendar page.
Applicants seeking Utah School Counseling Licensure who have attended or are currently enrolled in an out-of-state school counselor master’s program (including an online program), can satisfy Component Two requirements by completing the Strategic Alignment and Implementation of a Systemic College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program Canvas course. This course is not for school counselors who hold a Utah Professional Educator License and are currently practicing as a school counselor in a Utah school. This course is designed for participants to work and complete at their own pace. Therefore, participants can self-enroll at any time. There is no cost or fees associated with this course. To begin this course, participants must self-enroll into the course by completing the following steps:
For technical assistance, please contact Tina Morandy, Executive Secretary, at tina.morandy@schools.utah.gov.
After successful completion of all three components, school counselors must complete the application, and include transcripts, to add the certificate to their license.
Utah State Board of Education Application for Licensure Certificate