How to Become an Ohio School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become an Ohio 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 Ohio. 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 Ohio Department of Education licensing department at (614) 466-3593.

I’m a High School Graduate…

As a high school graduate researching the Ohio school counselor career, you are setting the curve for others in your position. By seeking out information on professional careers, you are showing maturity and drive. These are two virtues that will serve you well as an Ohio school counselor or in any other field. However, don’t quit now!

The following are recommended steps to help you learn how to begin advancing you level of education as well as learn more about working with student-aged individuals.

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 Ohio:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio
• Big Brothers Big Sisters in Columbus, Ohio
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Northwestern Ohio
• South Central Ohio Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio
• List of Ohio school districts and their websites
  • 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.

Lastly, get out there! Go volunteer or work in a public school! Learn whether a career in Ohio’s educational system is right for you. Whatever you learn will be valuable whether you decide to go in another direction or pursue becoming an Ohio school counselor with more vigor.

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I have already earned a college degree…

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

Step One:

Fulfill educational requirements through one of the following avenues:

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

Step Two:

You will need to fulfill Ohio’s experience requirements for the Ohio school counselor certification which can be done a number of different ways depending on your current qualifications. You will need to complete at least 600 clock hours in a K-12 setting AND one of the following:

1. A one-year induction under the supervision of a licensed Ohio school counselor,
2. Or, have two years of successful teaching experience with a valid teaching certification,
3. Or, have completed three years of school counseling experience from another state.

Step Three:

You will need to complete the appropriate examination requirements. For most cases, you will need to successfully pass the Praxis II: School Guidance and Counseling examination.

You can learn more about the Praxis examination, where testing centers are located and when future examinations will be held on the ETS website.

Step Four:

You will also need to complete an Ohio civilian background check as well as a Federal Bureau of Investigations background check.

You can find information about the civilian background check here and in order to request fingerprints for the FBI background check, call the ODE at: (614) 466-3593

Step Five:

For more information about requirements as well as a contact email address for an Ohio licensing representative, look at the following Ohio Department of Education webpage.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

If you are a certified school counselor from another state and have completed 3 years of school counseling experience, you will most likely be eligible to receive your Ohio school counselor certification.

To learn more about out-of-state certification requirements in Ohio, browse the options on the following ODE website page.

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