How to Become a Kentucky School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become a Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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 Kentucky Department of Education licensing department at (502) 564-4606.

I’m a High School Graduate…

As a high school graduate, you are in a great place to begin looking into the Kentucky school counselor career, take steps toward earning your certification, but not have to commit to any one career path.

You can begin earning your associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a field of your choice and still be heading in the right direction for becoming a school counselor. It’s not until you begin a master’s program in school counseling do you have to narrow your focus.

So, start earning your under-graduate education and begin learning about the school counseling career with no strings attached! The following are recommended steps that will help you get closer to satisfying Kentucky school counseling certification requirements while also learning whether a career in education is right for you.

Step One:

Gather information from schools offering associate degree programs or bachelor degree programs in psychology, counseling or any type of program you are currently interested in. It is not imperative you enroll in a counseling program at this point. The only necessity is that you begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.

Step Two:

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 Kentucky:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana
• Kentucky Directory of School Districts and Schools
  • Use this link 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.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and learn about volunteering and working with various student aged individuals. The only way to know if you are cut out for a career in education is to step out of your shoes and into those of an educator!

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I have already earned a college degree…

The following are the steps necessary for earning your school counseling certification in Kentucky:

Step One:

You will need to fulfill Kentucky’s educational requirements for school counseling certfication:

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

Step Two:

You will need to complete a school counselor certification application – TC-1

Step Three:

Request official transcripts from your school counseling program and send this to the Kentucky Department of Education with your application.

Step Four:

You will also need to attach the appropriate application processing fee ($50 at press time) made payable to the “Kentucky State Treasurer” or you may also pay the fee online here through Kentucky’s E-Pay system.

Send your application to the following address:

• Division of Certification
  Education Professional Standards Board
  100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor
  Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Step Five:

You can learn more about the process of Kentucky school counseling certification on the following webpage.

Or call the Kentucky Department of Education learn more: (502) 564-4606

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

Kentucky will evaluate your out-of-state credentials and if your current school counseling qualifications are comparable to Kentucky’s requirements, you will be awarded a Kentucky school counselor certification.

Complete the form CA-2

and contact the Kentucky Department of Education to make sure you have everything in order – (502) 564-4606.

Good Luck!

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