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In order to become a career or guidance counselor at a public school, university or in private practice, most states require some sort of licensing and certification. This applies to counselors working inside—as well as outside—of the school system. Since sorting out the intricacies of these requirements can be confusing, we have outlined the basics of licensure and certification so you can concentrate instead upon achieving your career goals. 
What is Guidance Counselor Certification? As you complete your guidance counselor education, keep in mind the different types of certification you will need. National certification for counselors is voluntary and is distinct from state licensing, which may be required to practice as a counselor, depending on the state in which you live. However, in some states, those who pass the national exam are exempted from taking a state certification exam. The National Board for Certified Counselors grants a general practice credential of National Certified Counselor, which requires a counselor to hold a master's degree with a concentration in counseling from a regionally accredited college or university. You must also have at least two years of supervised field experience in a counseling setting (if you have graduated from a counselor education program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, you are exempted). To gain this certification, you must also provide two professional endorsements, one of which must be from a recent supervisor; and must pass the NBCC examination. To maintain your certifications, you must retake and pass the exam or complete 100 credit hours of acceptable continuing education, every five years. These requirements may seem exacting, but national certification in general counseling and additional certification in specializations such as clinical, mental health or addiction counseling can help you advance your career by giving you professional credentials and experience in a certain area. Certification may also increase your salary and provide more opportunities for growth. What is Guidance Counselor Licensure? Licensure requirements are different from state to state, but usually requires you to take continuing education credits and complete an exam monitored by the state in which you practice. For the two main types of guidance counselor positions—school counselors working inside public schools and those working outside schools—the requirements are different. Many states require school counselors to hold a state certification and to have a master's degree. For guidance counselors based outside of schools, most states require a counselor's license, which includes a master's degree in counseling, about two years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, and passing the state licensing exam. If you are a counselor within a special field, you may have to complete a licensing exam for that particular specialty. This also may depend on the setting in which you work. For example, if you are a career counselor in private practice, you may need a license, but if you work for a college career center, you may not need a license. Whether or not you need a license or certification in a particular state for your particular career or guidance counselor career path, fulfilling the appropriate requirements in your state and maximizing your credentials will be critical to achieving your counseling career goals.  Guidance/Career Counseling Home
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