How to Become an Oregon School Counselor

Where are you on your quest to become an Oregon School Counselor?

According to a 2025 assessment of Oregon’s health care workforce needs, there is one school counselor for every 461 students statewide, what experts describe as being “well below the recommended ratio.”

That means that there’s a clear need for qualified school counselors, suggesting significant opportunities for employment in one of America’s most scenic states.

School counselors are a vital part of an educational community: from offering direct support in classrooms to facilitating one-on-one or group counseling sessions, these professionals can serve as critical support systems or passionate advocates for young people in formative stages of their development.

Interested in becoming a school counselor in Oregon? The following article offers key information about the path to becoming a school counselor. Whether you’re fresh out of high school, a recent college graduate, or a qualified school counselor relocating to Oregon, this article briefly explores this promising line of work from a variety of entry points:

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

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 Oregon Department of Education licensing department at (503) 378-3586.

I’m a High School Graduate…

Do you already have a high school diploma? That’s great – you have to start somewhere. However, that’s not the end of the road: in fact, it’s just the beginning.

It is not possible to become a school counselor without a bachelor’s degree.

In fact, it’s generally not possible to become a school counselor without a master’s degree – a level of education that is only attainable when one has completed a four-year undergraduate program. Down the line, these educational qualifications will be expected on the way to receiving certification and applying for licensure, and without them, you’re unlikely to get those critical accreditations. (In some cases, you can pursue a school counseling program in lieu of a master’s degree, but more on that later.)

Below are recommended steps that will help you advance your current level of education as well as learn more about the field of education and the occupation of school counseling.

Step One: Get an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree

If you have a high school diploma and are interested in becoming a school counselor, the first thing you should do is research the type of associate’s or bachelor’s program you’re interested in pursuing. Gather information about relevant undergraduate programs that interest you, taking care to consider factors like funding, scholarships, application deadlines, and application requirements.

It’s important to know that you don’t have to enroll in a bachelor’s program that is specifically focused on school counseling: the only necessity is that you begin earning your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. That said, down the line, it’ll be useful in your grad school applications if you have a bachelor’s degree in a related field like psychology or social work – but if you’re not yet 100% sure that school counseling is for you, use those critical years in undergraduate study to explore the options available.

Step Two: Make Sure It’s For You

A great way to find out if you are interested in a social service type of career, like school counseling, is to volunteer within organizations children young adults, particularly if it means collaborating with them in educational settings. Volunteering is a low-commitment way to making sure that this path – which requires a meaningful amount of preparation – is what you really want to do.

Some local organizations that may fit the bill on this front include

• Mentor Oregon
• Institute for Youth Success
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Columbia Northwest
• List of Oregon School Districts and their websites

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I have already earned a college degree…

Already completed your bachelor’s degree? The next phase is to pursue a school counseling certification in Oregon. Below, we’ll cover the different ways in which that can be attained, including master’s degree programs and school counseling programs.

Step One: Successfully complete a specialized education program

Whether you choose to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling or a qualification through a school counseling program, an undergraduate degree alone is not enough to become certified as a school counselor.

Instead, graduate education opportunities will allow you to fulfill educational requirements expected in the certification process, gaining important professional experience and building an invaluable set of skills to lead a successful career in counseling.

Certification can be attained after following one of the following avenues:

1. 1. Earn a Master’s degree or higher in counseling, education, or a related behavioral science from a regionally accredited school. In addition, you will need to complete an initial graduate program in school counseling. The link below lists education programs offered in Oregon:
      • Colleges offering programs in Education in Oregon
   2. Or earn a Master’s degree in School Counseling
   3. Or find school counseling programs in Oregon here.

Step Two: Pass Exam and Background Check

As mentioned in the above section, aspiring school counselors must successfully pass an exam called “Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment,” a 60-question multiple-choice test that ensures applicants have sufficient knowledge of local laws regarding student and civil rights.

You will also need to complete a criminal background check. You can learn more about these requirements on the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission website, and can find more information about getting fingerprinted for background checks in Oregon here.

Step Three: Apply for Licensure

Applying for your license as a school counselor will require submitting official transcripts, proof of successfully passing the “Student and Civil Rights” exam, and proof of having paid the relevant application fees.

For information about particular Oregon school counselor certification requirements or to make sure you are on the right track, contact an Oregon certification representative at the following number: (503) 378-3586. Additional information may be found at the Oregon eLicensing portal and instructions webpage.

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I’m a certified counselor from another state…

The Oregon Department of Education does recognize school counseling certifications from some other states. Licensed counselors from Idaho and Washington are always eligible to apply for reciprocity, and other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can learn more about the Oregon Reciprocal Teaching License here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a school counselor in Oregon?

Generally speaking, master’s programs in school counseling are between two and three years long. Therefore, completing a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in pursuit of this profession will take around six or seven years. That said, there’s no set timeline for becoming a school counselor: some people might take a few years off between their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, while others might find that the licensing process takes a while.

What’s the average salary for school counselors in Oregon?

In 2023, school counselors and school social workers in Oregon earned an average of between $62,780 and $73,540 annually. This is just about average in Oregon overall, where the median salary across all professions is $66,710.

What’s the job market like for school counselors in Oregon?

According to research conducted by the Oregon Health Authority and published in 2025, jobs for qualified school counselors is expected to grow by more than 7% by 2032. The projected growth is even more dramatic for child, family, and school social workers – a related, though not identical, field of work – which is projected to swell by nearly 13% over the next seven years.

The same study found that the ratio of students to available school counselors was simply insufficient, with one professional expected to serve more than 460 young people. As such, the job market for school counselors will continue to offer opportunities to qualified professionals in Oregon in the years to come.

What are resources for finding jobs as a school counselor in Oregon?

In addition to familiar job-finding websites like LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, or Glassdoor, there are a few more specific job boards that could offer additional opportunities more tailored to your needs. Some local examples include:

• The Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA)
• The Oregon Educator Data Dashboard

SchoolSpring is another resource that is not specific to Oregon, but offers more than 100,000 job opportunities for education professionals working in grades K-12 across the United States.

2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures reflect state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2025.

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