Oregon School Counselor Certification

The initial license in Oregon is the Preliminary School Counselor License, authorizing the holder to work with students in prekindergarten through grade 12 in any school counselor position. This license is valid for three years, and can be continuously renewed.

Step 1: Education Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in counseling, education, a related discipline, or school counseling from a regionally-accredited program, such as the following programs:

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    Grand Canyon University

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    Walden University

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    Campbellsville University

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    Liberty University

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    University of West Alabama

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• Completed internship, practicum, or other supervised program as part of your earned master’s degree or as a part of an approved school counseling program

Step 2: Criminal Background Check

In order to obtain an Oregon school counselor license, you must complete the fingerprinting process in the eLicensing portal. The processing fee is $61, and only payable with a credit card via the portal.

For step-by-step instructions on how to complete this requirement, visit this webpage.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain a School Counselor license in Oregon, you must pass the required Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam. This 60-question multiple-choice exam takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete and is administered nation-wide. The examination fee is $95, payable with a VISA or MasterCard only.

For more information, or to register for a test date, visit this webpage.

Step 4: Know the Fees

The initial school counselor application fee is $182 plus $10 processing fee, payable through the eLicensing portal.

Step 5: Application Materials Checklist

Your application materials include the following:

• Completed profile and application through the Oregon eLicensing portal
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. For detailed information about how to submit acceptable transcripts to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practice Commission, please follow the instructions located under “official transcripts” on this webpage
• Proof of passing scores for the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam
• $192 payment for application and processing fees

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for an Oregon school counseling license is submitted online via the eLicensing link, located here.

Additional Information

If you have questions about your application for school counseling license, contact a specialist via email at [email protected].

You can also call the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission at 503-378-3586. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 11 AM PST and between 3 PM and 5 PM.

The Preliminary School Counselor License is renewable every three (3) years and can be renewed continuously. In order to renew your license, you must complete 75 continuing professional development units (PDU) and complete a survey on PDUs related to suicide prevention. Your employing school district must verify your PDUs.

To renew your Preliminary School Counselor License, complete the renewal application via the eLicensing portal. The renewal fee is $182 plus a $10 processing fee.

Additional Assistance

If you need additional information about renewing your Oregon school counselor license, call the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission at 503-378-3586 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 11 AM PST or between 3 PM and 5 PM.

Oregon recognizes out-of-state licenses for consideration of the Preliminary School Counselor License. Your application materials are submitted via the eLicensing portal.

Required application materials include:

• Completed profile and application through the Oregon eLicensing portal
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree. For detailed information about how to submit acceptable transcripts to the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practice Commission, please follow the instructions located under “official transcripts” on this webpage
• A copy of your current, valid school counselor credential
• Proof of passing scores for the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam. For more information or to register for a test date, visit this webpage
• Out-of-state applicants must also pay a $254 application fee plus $10 processing fee

Additional Assistance

If you need additional information about your out-of-state application, contact the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission at 503-378-3586. Representatives are available from 8 AM to 11 AM PST and from 3 PM to 5 PM.