How to Become a Florida School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become a Florida School Counselor?

If you’re interested in becoming a school counselor in Florida but aren’t sure how to get started, fear not: there is a straightforward process that will put you on the path to your dream career. That said, in order to meet the state’s requirements to become a guidance counselor, it’s important to make your plans in advance to ensure that they will leave you qualified for the job you want.

Getting your guidance counselor credentials takes no small amount of dedication and hard work, but on the other side is a career that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of young people.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to become a school counselor in Florida, giving you a crash course in the qualifications for guidance counselor certification in the Sunshine State. If you’ve been hoping to launch a career supporting and uplifting young people, today can be the day you get started.

So what do you need to be a guidance counselor in Florida? In fact, your specific path will depend on the amount of education you have already completed. This will determine the next steps in your guidance counselor schooling, leading ultimately to your credentials. Where are you on your quest to become a Florida School Counselor?

• I’m a High School Graduate…
• I have already earned a college degree…
• I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Explore the information below and learn how you can become a school counselor in Florida. 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 Florida Department of Education licensing department at (800) 445-6739.

I’m a High School Graduate…

Carrying a high school diploma will not earn you a school counseling certification, but it is one step closer. Standing at the beginning of your post-secondary education career, you are going to have many exciting opportunities to explore the field of counseling and education.

We encourage you to put yourself out there and volunteer with the students you are interested in working with as a Florida counselor. You will learn quickly whether a career in education is for you. So, we recommend you take the following steps in order to acquire the formal education you need as well as gain the experience to make the right career decisions.

Step One: Pursue Your Undergraduate Education

In order to become a certified school counselor in Florida (or anywhere else in the country), you will need to hold a master’s degree in a subject related to school counseling. If high school is the highest level of education you’ve completed, you’ll need to obtain a bachelor’s degree before you meet qualifications for guidance counselor education.

As an undergraduate, you do not need to major in a topic related to school counseling in order to qualify for a master’s program down the line. That said, given your existing interest in the field, you may find coursework in Psychology, Social Work, Education, or Child and Adolescent Development to be an engaging and exciting way to soft-launch your guidance counselor education.

Step Two: Explore Volunteer Opportunities Near You

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. Mentoring through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association (BBBS) is a great opportunity to work with children, learn about the various issues many counselors must deal with and find out if this kind of work is for you. The following are more BBBS organizations located throughout Florida.

• BBBS of Northeast Florida
• BBBS of Florida Tampa Bay
• BBBS of Central Florida
• BBBS of Miami, Florida
• BBBS of Northwest Florida

You can also contact the Florida School District Database to find schools near you as well as each school’s contact information. Contact these schools to find out if there are any volunteer programs you may participate in.

School Counseling is a difficult but incredibly rewarding job for those who like working with students and helping others. We encourage you to begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree and explore the field of education.

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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 education at the master’s level. The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in Florida:

Step One: Obtain a Master’s Degree

In order to meet requirements to become a guidance counselor with full credentials, you must complete a master’s program in a field related to school counseling. Degree options that will prepare you for your credentialing exams can include the following:

• Master of School Counseling
• Master of Counseling Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling
• Master of Educational Psychology with a concentration in School Counseling

The exact degree you choose will likely depend on the schools that most appeal to you. Thanks to the arrival of remote education, you will have a greater range of options to choose from, including schools that might be far from where you actually live. What’s important is that you find a program that is specifically intended to prepare you for your guidance counselor credentialing exams, as this will be a critical step after you complete your education.

Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:

• • Earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling
  • Or find school counseling programs in Florida here.

Step Two: Pass Your Certification Exams

Once you have graduated from your master’s program, you are qualified to take your credentialing exams. You will need to successfully complete the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), the Professional Education Test and the Subject Test in School Guidance and Counseling.

Your credentialing exams will draw from subjects across your guidance counselor classes. While your guidance counselor schooling should prepare you for these topics, it’s always advised to take time to prepare for your tests with focus. This can include:

• Creating study guides covering your complete coursework from graduate school
• Starting study groups with your classmates
• Taking practice exams to get the feel of the test-taking process

It’s important to take this preparation seriously, as you will not meet qualifications for school counselor positions at K-12 schools in Florida without full credentials.

Step Three: Apply for Certification

Once you have passed your certification exam, congratulations! You have completed all of the most significant hurdles between you and your guidance counselor credentials. Now all you have to do is submit your qualifying materials to the Florida Department of Education.

Complete the online certification application at the following webpage.  There will be an application processing fee and you may wish to contact the FLDOE if you have any questions: (800) 445-6739

Step Four: Submit Fingerprints for Background Check

After your certification application is being processed you will receive an official statement of eligibility for employment. Once you have this statement, you can begin looking for a job. Once hired, you will need to submit fingerprints to be processed by the FDLE and the FBI. Your employer will assist you with completing the fingerprint process.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

If you are already a licensed school counselor in a state outside of Florida, you should be able to obtain Florida guidance counselor credentials without too much difficulty. As long as you have a certification from another state that is currently valid and is comparable with a standard or Level II certification issued by Florida, the Florida Department of Education will issue you a certification for Florida School Counseling after completing a certification application.

You will still need to complete a fingerprinting and background check procedure before stepping into a counseling position; however, this process will be facilitated through your hiring school district.

Get answers to frequently asked Florida certification questions on the following webpage. Scroll down to “Reciprocity” to learn more about obtaining reciprocal certification.

FAQs

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

In order to meet qualifications for guidance counselor certification in Florida, you must hold a master’s degree in a field related to school counseling. This can be a straightforward Master of School Counseling degree or a specialization track in School Counseling within a Psychology or Education program.

How long does it take to be a guidance counselor?

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you will only need to pursue a master’s degree in order to meet requirements to become a guidance counselor in Florida, after which you will be ready to sit for your qualifying exams. This will typically take 2.5 to three years to complete on a full-time schedule, which includes guidance counselor classes and field internship experiences.

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

There are school counselor jobs at K-12 schools all across the state of Florida, meaning you should have no shortage of opportunities to find work in a local institution. Since guidance counselor schooling includes a field internship component, this can be a great way to start networking and learning about job openings in the region.

How much do guidance counselors make an hour in Florida?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida school counselors earn a mean hourly wage of $27.37. This adds up to an annual mean wage of $56,920. It’s possible for those who have earned seniority or acquired additional specialized certifications to qualify for above-average salaries in K-12 schools.

All data taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2023 report, accessed March 2025.

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