How to Become a Colorado School Counselor
Becoming a school counselor in Colorado requires completing an approved master’s degree program in school counseling, completing 100 hours of practicum, completing a 600-hour supervised internship, passing the Praxis 5422, and completing a fingerprint background check. The Colorado Department of Education issues a Special Services Provider license. The full path takes roughly seven years from the start of your undergraduate degree.
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Colorado is one of the stronger states for school counseling careers right now. The state projects hundreds of annual job openings through 2032, with faster-than-average growth. If you’re serious about this path, here’s exactly what the process looks like, organized by where you’re starting from.
Some of the information below may change. For the most current requirements, contact your school counseling education program advisor or the Colorado Department of Education licensing department at 720-739-3304.
I’m a High School Graduate…
You’ve got time to plan, and that’s an asset. You don’t need to major in counseling as an undergraduate. Most school counseling master’s programs accept applicants from a wide range of bachelor’s degrees. Psychology, education, sociology, and social work all provide useful foundations, but the specific major matters less than your GPA and your experience working with young people.
Most graduate programs want a 3.0 or better. More importantly, direct experience in schools or youth programs will strengthen your application and help you figure out whether this work is actually the right fit before you invest in a master’s degree.
A few Colorado organizations worth exploring for volunteer experience:
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Colorado
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado
- List of Colorado School Districts — contact schools near you about volunteer opportunities
The goal right now is a bachelor’s degree and real-world work experience. Graduate school comes after that.
I Have Already Earned a College Degree…
Colorado offers two distinct pathways to school counselor licensure. Most applicants follow Pathway 1. Pathway 2 is available to licensed clinical counselors who already hold a qualifying master’s degree in clinical counseling.
Pathway 1: School Counseling Master’s Degree
Step One:
Earn a master’s degree in school counseling from an approved preparation program. CACREP-accredited programs are widely accepted and satisfy Colorado’s requirements, but equivalent programs may also qualify. Confirm with the Colorado Department of Education before enrolling. Programs typically run 60–63 credits and take two to three years full-time. If you plan to work while enrolled, expect it to take longer.
Find a master’s degree in school counseling or search for school counseling programs in Colorado.
Step Two:
Complete your fieldwork requirements. Your program will include both a practicum (100 clock hours in a school setting) and a supervised internship (600 hours working with students across multiple grade levels, under the supervision of a licensed school counselor). Both must take place in a school, not a clinic or community organization.
The internship is typically completed during the final year of your program. Working with students at multiple grade levels is an intentional requirement. Colorado wants licensed counselors who can function in elementary, middle, and high school settings.
Step Three:
Pass the Praxis School Counselor exam (5422) with a score of 159 or higher. If you took the older Praxis 5421 between September 1, 2016, and August 31, 2023, that score (156 passing) is still accepted through August 31, 2028. Learn more about the Praxis exam here.
Step Four:
Complete a Colorado Department of Education (CDE) fingerprint card and submit it, along with a processing fee, to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) before submitting your license application. Learn more about fingerprint requirements and instructions here.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
690 Kipling Street, Suite 3000
Denver, CO 80215
(303) 239-4208
Step Five:
Request official transcripts from every post-secondary institution you attended. Transcripts must carry the registrar’s seal to be accepted. Learn more about transcript requirements and submission instructions here.
Step Six:
Gather all necessary documents and confirm you meet the requirements for an Initial Colorado Special Services License. All applicants apply through the Colorado Online Licensing (COOL) portal.
Pathway 2: Licensed Clinical Counselor Route
If you already hold a qualifying master’s degree in clinical counseling (which may include a CACREP-accredited program or equivalent coursework) and a valid Colorado LPC or LCSW license, you may be eligible for an alternate certificate pathway. Several Colorado institutions offer the additional school counseling-specific coursework needed to meet CDE requirements.
During the certificate program, you may be able to work in a Colorado school under a Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization (TEE). Renewal availability depends on the specific authorization type and current CDE policy. Contact the Colorado Department of Education for the current list of approved programs and TEE details.
I’m a Teacher in Colorado and Wish to Become a School Counselor…
Teaching experience is not required for school counselor licensure in Colorado, so a teaching background doesn’t substitute for any part of the licensing process. Still, it provides a useful classroom context. The path is the same as any other applicant: an approved master’s degree, fieldwork, Praxis 5422, and a fingerprint background check.
If you hold a Colorado teaching license, review the checklist for advancing an Initial License to a Colorado Special Services License. All applicants apply through the Colorado Online Licensing portal.
I’m a Certified Counselor from Another State…
Colorado does not offer direct licensure reciprocity. Out-of-state applicants are reviewed individually. The CDE evaluates your credentials and qualifications against Colorado’s requirements to determine eligibility.
Start with the out-of-state applicant checklist at the Colorado Special Services License page for out-of-state candidates and apply through the Colorado Online Licensing portal.
For details on renewal requirements, exam specifics, and what the evaluation process looks at, see the Colorado school counselor certification page.
Questions about educator preparation and licensure requirements? Call 720-739-3304 or submit a Licensing Support Request form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need teaching experience to become a school counselor in Colorado?
No. Colorado does not require teaching experience for school counselor licensure. Your path to a Special Services Provider license runs through your master’s degree and fieldwork requirements, not a teaching credential. If you’re already a teacher, that background can inform your practice, but it doesn’t substitute for any part of the licensing process.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Colorado?
Plan on roughly seven years total: four years for a bachelor’s degree and two to three years for an approved master’s in school counseling. If you’re going part-time through graduate school, the master’s portion can take longer. Most programs require significant availability during the internship year, regardless of how you structured your earlier coursework.
What’s the difference between the two pathways to Colorado school counselor licensure?
Pathway 1 is for applicants completing a master’s degree in school counseling from an approved preparation program. Pathway 2 is for licensed clinical counselors (LPC or LCSW) who already hold a qualifying master’s in clinical counseling. They complete an additional certificate program focused on school counseling-specific coursework rather than a full second master’s. Both pathways lead to the same Special Services Provider license.
Does my master’s program need to be CACREP-accredited?
CACREP-accredited programs are widely accepted and satisfy Colorado’s requirements, but the CDE may also accept equivalent programs. Before enrolling, confirm that your specific program meets Colorado’s licensure standards — graduating from a program that doesn’t qualify can delay or prevent licensure. Contact the CDE licensing department at 720-739-3304 if you’re unsure about a particular program.
Can I work in a school while completing my school counseling internship?
On Pathway 1, your 600-hour internship is completed as part of your master’s program under the supervision of a licensed school counselor — you aren’t independently employed as a counselor during this time. On Pathway 2 (the LPC route), you may be able to work in a Colorado school under a Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization while completing the certificate program, subject to current CDE policy. Talk to your program advisor early about how your schedule affects fieldwork placement options.
- Teaching experience not required — Colorado’s Special Services Provider license runs through your master’s degree and fieldwork, not a teaching credential.
- Two pathways exist — the standard school counseling master’s route and an alternative certificate pathway for licensed clinical counselors.
- Program approval matters — confirm your program meets CDE requirements before enrolling; CACREP-accredited programs are widely accepted, but equivalent programs may also qualify.
- Fieldwork is substantial — 100 practicum hours plus a 600-hour internship across multiple grade levels, both in school settings.
- Plan for seven years — roughly four years of undergrad plus two to three years for the master’s, with the internship typically in the final year.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, Colorado’s licensing requirements are program-dependent — where you enroll affects whether you’ll be license-eligible when you graduate. Start with programs that are confirmed to meet CDE requirements.
