🎓 School Counselor License Requirements by State

Compare school counselor license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level school counselor license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $175–$175. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$175	$53,687
AKAlaska	Required	—	$175	$76,520
AZArizona	Required	—	$175	$59,858
ARArkansas	Required	—	$175	$51,836
CACalifornia	Required	—	$175	$85,159
COColorado	Required	—	$175	$66,646
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$175	$70,966
DEDelaware	Required	—	$175	$61,710
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$175	$78,988
FLFlorida	Required	—	$175	$59,241
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$175	$57,390
HIHawaii	Required	—	$175	$83,308
IDIdaho	Required	—	$175	$58,007
ILIllinois	Required	—	$175	$64,795
INIndiana	Required	—	$175	$56,156
IAIowa	Required	—	$175	$54,921
KSKansas	Required	—	$175	$54,921
KYKentucky	Required	—	$175	$54,921
LALouisiana	Required	—	$175	$55,539
MEMaine	Required	—	$175	$59,858
MDMaryland	Required	—	$175	$67,263
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$175	$75,286
MIMichigan	Required	—	$175	$58,007
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$175	$64,178
MSMississippi	Required	—	$175	$51,219
MOMissouri	Required	—	$175	$55,539
MTMontana	Required	—	$175	$59,241
NENebraska	Required	—	$175	$55,539
NVNevada	Required	—	$175	$62,944
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$175	$64,178
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$175	$72,817
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$175	$56,156
NYNew York	Required	—	$175	$80,223
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$175	$56,773
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$175	$58,624
OHOhio	Required	—	$175	$56,773
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$175	$53,687
OROregon	Required	—	$175	$67,881
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$175	$60,475
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$175	$63,561
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$175	$56,156
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$175	$54,304
TNTennessee	Required	—	$175	$55,539
TXTexas	Required	—	$175	$58,007
UTUtah	Required	—	$175	$59,858
VTVermont	Required	—	$175	$62,327
VAVirginia	Required	—	$175	$62,944
WAWashington	Required	—	$175	$72,817
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$175	$53,070
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$175	$58,007
WYWyoming	Required	—	$175	$58,624

Common questions about school counselor licensing

Do all states require a school counselor license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level school counselor license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a school counselor license?

Application fees across the states range $175–$175. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a school counselor license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.