How to Become an Arizona School Counselor

School counselors are making a difference across the state of Arizona, putting their training and expertise toward supporting young people at all grade levels. As trained counselors as well as leaders within their schools, these hard working professionals make a tremendous impact on individuals as well as communities as a whole.

In order to take on this challenging but deeply fulfilling work, one must meet Arizona’s qualifications for guidance counselor certification, which demonstrate that you have the experience and skill to thrive in this profession.

Obtaining your guidance counselor credentials marks the final step in your education and training. Your certificate shows that you meet the requirements to become a guidance counselor and can be entrusted with the delicate responsibilities that come with helping students in need.

So what do you need to be a guidance counselor in Arizona? Though the qualifications for guidance counselors in the state are unilateral, your path to credentials will depend on your level of education and work history. Where are you on your quest to become an Arizona School Counselor?

• I’m a High School Graduate…
• I have already earned a college degree…
• I’m a teacher in Arizona and wish to become a school counselor…
• I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Arizona. Some of the information below may be subject to change. In order to make sure you have the most current information, please feel free to contact your school counseling education program advisor or contact the Arizona Department of Education licensing department at (602) 542-4367.

I’m a High School Graduate…

In order to become a school counselor in Arizona, you will need to start earning a post-secondary education. Eventually, you will need to have earned your master’s degree; however, there are many stops along the way that you should take advantage of.

You can either start by earning an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. With an associate’s degree, you can start working as a paraprofessional in a public school right away.

Or take the route of earning your bachelor’s degree and consider starting your career in education at the teaching level.

Step One: Obtain an Undergraduate Degree

You can either start by earning an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. With an associate’s degree, you can start working as a paraprofessional in a public school right away.

Alternatively, you can take the route of earning your bachelor’s degree and consider starting your career in education at the teaching level. If your ultimate goal is to become a fully credentialed school counselor, you will need to complete a guidance counselor education at the master’s level, meaning obtaining your bachelor’s degree will be a necessary step you must take. For this reason, it is encouraged to pursue a bachelor’s if you would like to earn your guidance counselor credentials as quickly as possible.

You do not need to pursue a degree related to school counseling in order to qualify for a relevant master’s program down the line. Another way to say this is that one can qualify for a Master of School Counseling degree holding a bachelor’s degree in any subject. That said, if you are already interested in this career path, you will likely benefit from majoring in subjects like Education, Psychology, and Counseling, which will help lay the foundations of your guidance counselor education.

Step Two: Volunteer with Students

A great way to find out if you are interested in a social service type of career, like school counseling, is to find volunteering organizations who work with children or young adults. The following are links to organizations who can place you in volunteering positions across the state of Arizona:

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Arizona
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tucson
• List of Arizona School District Websites

Lastly, do not be afraid to explore various career options. In the field of education, there are many opportunities that require individuals with various talents. Whether you end up as a counselor, a teacher, an administrator or school psychologist, you will be supporting one of the greatest, most honorable endeavors you can, educating Arizona.

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I have already earned a college degree…

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you meet qualifications for guidance counselor master’s programs. This is a necessary step in pursuing your credentials; you will not be able to meet the state’s requirements to become a guidance counselor without a graduate-level degree. The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in Arizona:

Step One: Obtain a Master’s Degree

The most straightforward type of guidance counselor degree is a Master of School Counseling degree, which is a streamlined program designed specifically for incoming guidance counselors. Many schools that don’t offer School Counseling degree pathways do offer specialization tracks in School Counseling within larger departments, such as Psychology or Education. If you are in one of these types of programs, it’s crucial to make sure they are designed to meet qualifications for guidance counselor credentials – if they don’t, you will not be eligible for the exact certification you need to get your dream career started.

Step Two: Complete Your Field Experience

Depending on what type of degree program you choose, this step may overlap with Step One. The following are 3 different avenues for completing experience requirements. Only one of the following need to be completed:

• Acquire 2 years of verified full-time experience as a school guidance counselor (option for those who are moving from another state)
• Complete 3 years of verified teaching experience
• Complete a supervised counseling practicum while enrolled in a school counseling program from an accredited institution

Step Three: Forward Your Transcripts to the Arizona Department of Education

You will need to have all of your Official Transcripts from post-secondary schooling sent to the Arizona Department of Education’s certification office.

Step Four: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check

You must have an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Education (Call this number for information: (602) 223-2279).

Step Five: Submit Your Application for Certification

Visit this webpage to download an application for certification in school counseling and view detailed requirements. Select the “Professional Non-Teaching Certificate” link to access the application and requirements. Alternatively, you may contact the Arizona Department of Education and request an application for certification in School Counseling: (602) 542-4367.

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I’m a teacher in Arizona and wish to become a school counselor…

If you are already a teacher in Arizona, the transition into the school counseling career is not as painful as an ordinary career change.

If you have completed 3 years of full-time teaching, you will not have to complete a supervised practicum, thus saving you precious time.

However, you will still need to complete a graduate program in school counseling from an accredited institution     . Since you will not have to complete field work, this will exclusively consist of guidance counselor classes intended to build your expertise in this field specifically.

Visit the Arizona Department of Education Educator Certification Website to review requirements and access the required application for certification.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

If you already hold guidance counselor certification in a state outside of Arizona, you should be able to obtain an Arizona State credential without too much difficulty. The Arizona Department of Education will review your transcripts and certification from any state, and if you have met all requirements for certification, you will be issued a school counseling certification in Arizona.

However, you will likely still need to complete a background check.

If you must have an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Arizona Department of Education, call this number for information: (602) 223-2279.

Visit this website to review school counselor certification requirements for out of state reciprocity.

FAQs

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

In order to obtain your credentials, you must pursue guidance counselor schooling at the master’s level. This can be a formal degree in School Counseling or a specialization pathway within a larger program, such as Psychology or Education. However, you must make sure that your program is specifically designed to qualify you for credentials, as you will not be able to work in K-12 schools without your certificate.

How can I find school counselor jobs near me in Arizona?

School counselors are employed in schools of all grade levels, in all districts. This means that it should be possible to find school counselor positions all over the state. Your field work experience can be a great way to begin building your resume, and those who are thinking in the long term will do well for themselves by networking and learning about job openings while they are still working toward their credentials.

How much do guidance counselors make an hour in Arizona?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, guidance counselors in Arizona earn a mean hourly wage of $28.10. This comes out to an annual mean wage of $58,450 a year. With seniority and added specializations can come higher-ranking positions with pay to match, meaning school counselors in the state are encouraged to stick with it and dive deep into the areas that most interest them – it may pay off in the long run.

All data taken from the BLS’ May 2023 report, accessed March 2025.

Can teachers in Arizona become school counselors without going back to school?

If you are a credentialed teacher in Arizona, you will still have to pursue a degree in school counseling, but you will not have to complete field work hours while in school – only guidance counselor classes. Since the practicum experience is a major part of typical master’s coursework, you will have significantly less on your plate than most who are pursuing their guidance counselor education.

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