Washington School Counselor Certification

As you plot your path to a thriving career as a school counselor in Washington State, it’s crucial that your plans are aimed at obtaining certification.

Your guidance counselor credentials assert that you have the training and education needed to take on the significant responsibilities that come with the job, offering your support to individual students as well as the school community as a whole.

Your guidance counselor education will be expressly intended to prepare you for your credentialing exams, giving you the knowledge and skills needed to launch a thriving career in Washington’s K-12 schools. This will ensure that you meet all of the requirements to become a guidance counselor in Washington State.

Washington State’s credentialing process is overseen by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). In fact, this office offers multiple types of certification depending on your level of education and work experience. Skip down to find information relevant to your situation:

• Initial School Counseling Certification
• Certification Renewal
• Certification Through Reciprocity

Initial Washington School Counselor Certification

There are two kinds of certificates issued to applicants for certification in Washington: Residency First Issue Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certification, which is the level of credential available to those who have just completed their guidance counselor schooling, and the Professional ESA Certification, which is available in subsequent rounds of credentialing renewal (more on that in the next section). You can learn more about both of these certifications at the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction website.  Requirements for the first type of certification is listed below.

Step 1: Education Requirements

Anyone who wishes to become a school counselor must first acquire a Master’s degree in school counseling. There are multiple degree paths that can prepare you for your guidance counselor certification. The most straightforward of these is a Master of School Counseling degree, which will be entirely focused on building the skills and expertise needed to obtain your credentials. It’s also possible to receive your guidance counselor schooling by pursuing specialization tracks in School Counseling through larger departments like Counseling Psychology or Education. All of these will include the guidance counselor classes you need to start working toward your intended career.

It’s critical when exploring your guidance counselor education options to make sure that you’re only applying to programs that are explicitly designed to prepare you for certification.

It’s worth noting that Washington State uniquely does not require aspiring school counselors to complete a minimum number of field internship hours in order to qualify for guidance counselor credentials. That said, your master’s program is likely to include a mix of guidance counselor classes and supervised practicum hours that are intended to give you your first taste of a counselor’s day to day responsibilities.

*Your official transcripts must show proof of your Master’s degree for approval during the application process.

Step 2: Examination Requirements

Upon graduating from your master’s program, you’re ready to meet qualifications for guidance counselor credentialing exams. You’ll be expected to pass an approved, comprehensive exam relevant to the school counseling role.

• In some rare cases, testing will be included in your program coursework. If you’ve already completed a comprehensive examination such as the Praxis exam, you can opt to include a completed FORM 4098E for verification of the completed examination.
• If you were not tested by a comprehensive examination during your selected program coursework, you may choose to be tested by one of the following alternatives:
  The National Counselor Examination (provided by the National Board of Certified Counselors)
  OR
  The Praxis exam in guidance and counseling, (code 5421), administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Step 3: Submit to a Background Check

Submit your fingerprints for a thorough background check.

• Fingerprint submission is required, unless you already have an educator certificate that has been validated and on record.
• The process for a Washington state background check goes through both the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) uses scanning technology to take high-quality prints and create digital images of your fingerprints. This technique is accomplished through a machine called Live Scan. Once your fingerprints are scanned, the system submits the high-quality images automatically.
• Once cleared through the Washington State Patrol, the results are forwarded to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and are entered into an online database.

Please note: If, for some reason, you cannot access a LiveScan machine at one of Washington’s educational facilities, or, if you need an alternative to completing your fingerprint check, please review alternatives HERE.

Step 4: Organize Your Application Materials

Download the Certification Application and complete this form.

Gather all items needed including your residency form, program completion form, comprehensive exam results, and official transcripts.

* Please note: There is an additional fee of $39 per certificate that is required by the OSPI.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Send your completed application packet and fee(s) to this address:

Washington School Counselor Certification Renewal

The initial first-tier school counseling license in Washington expires after five years. To renew (or reissue) your license, you must have two completed years of service in the role of school guidance counselor. These hours must be completed within the five-year, first-tier certification period. At this point, you will be ready for your Professional ESA Certification.

If you didn’t complete two consecutive years of work as a school counselor within the five-year expiration date of your Residency ESA Certificate, it is possible for you to renew these preliminary guidance counselor credentials rather than applying for your Professional-level certificate. You must apply for renewal of your certification as soon as you reach your third year of working as a school counselor.

* Please note: You must submit fingerprints again for a second background check, especially if an approved certificate is not already on record with the OSPI.

Once you have counseled within the Washington state public school system for the initial two years, and have been reissued a certification, you may opt to apply for a 5-Year Residency Renewal Certificate. This would take place before your renewal certificate expires.

If the 5-Year Renewal Certificate sounds like the best option to you, you must complete an Issues of Abuse Course, plus 100 continuing education courses that pertain to school guidance counseling.

Here are a few facts about the Issues of Abuse Course that is required for the 5-year renewal certificate: This course includes information related to identifying abusive and social/emotional behavior, as well as sexual abuse and substance use. Instruction is also offered on the impact that certain abusive behaviors have and the responsibilities that counselors and school officials have to report such behaviors. This course also addresses methods of prevention and assistance to children who are victims of abuse.

* If you are looking for information on how to upgrade to a second-tier certificate, please see the Upgrade to the Professional webpage.

Washington School Counselor Certification Through Reciprocity

If you live outside the state of Washington, you can still receive certification through reciprocity by submitting your own state school guidance counselor license. The OSPI will look at your qualifications, experience, and the last 3 years of your school counseling services.

Along with your application, you must include scores from a comprehensive, approved exam, and submit your fingerprints for a background check through the Washington state system.

FAQs

What degree do I need to be a counselor in K-12 schools in Washington?

In order to meet requirements to become a guidance counselor, you must hold a master’s degree in a subject related to school counseling. This can include a straightforward Master of School Counseling degree or a degree in a field like Psychology or Education with a specialization pathway in school counseling.

What are the requirements to be a guidance counselor in Washington if you already hold credentials in another state?

If you are already a credentialed guidance counselor, you should be able to obtain Washington guidance counselor credentials through reciprocity, meaning your existing certification and work experience will transfer over to allow you the same level of credential in your new place of residence.

How do I find guidance counselor jobs near me in Washington State?

There are positions for guidance counselors in K-12 schools all over the state of Washington. During your practicum experience while in school, you will have the opportunity to start networking in the school district where you are working, which can be a great way of beginning to establish professional contacts that may lead you to work opportunities.

Are there field experience hour requirements to become a guidance counselor in Washington State?

Technically, no. However, a field internship (or practicum) is guaranteed to be part of your guidance counselor education no matter where you are in school, including if you are enrolled in online classes. This means that even though there is technically no experience requirement, anyone who pursues a guidance counselor certificate will still have already amassed a significant amount of experience in the field.