Pennsylvania School Counselor Certification

The school counseling credential in Pennsylvania is an Education Specialist I certificate (Type Code 31) with an Elementary and Secondary School Counselor (Subject Code 1839) credential. Counselors who hold this certificate are qualified to serve students in prekindergarten through grade 12. This certificate is valid for six (6) years.

Step 1: Education Requirements

Master’s degree in school counseling from a department approved certificate program, such as the following programs:

Step 2: Criminal Background Check

In order to obtain a Pennsylvania counselor credential, you must complete a criminal background check, which includes:

• Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance – $13 processing fee
• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check – $22 processing fee
• Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) – $23.85 processing fee

For detailed information, including links for each required background checking process, visit this webpage.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

To obtain a School Counselor certificate in Pennsylvania, you must earn a combined GPA and qualifying score on the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421). For more information about this exam, or to register for a test date, visit the Praxis website.

Step 4: Application Materials Checklist

Your application materials include the following:

• Completed profile and application through the through the Pennsylvania Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of qualifying score for the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421) and GPA
• $200 or $260 initial application fee, depending upon where you completed your school counseling preparation program

Step 5: Know the Fees

Application fees vary based on where you completed your school counseling preparation program. The $200 or $260 feed is payable online via the TIMS portal with a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card only.

You can also submit your application fee with a U.S. Money Order, payable to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the printable coversheet you receive at the end of the TIMS application process.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

The Pennsylvania application for school counseling credential is submitted online via the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your initial school counseling application, send an email to [email protected], or call the certification department at 717-787-3356.

The Education Specialist II Certificate is issued to an applicant who currently holds an Education Specialist I Certificate, and who meets the following criteria:

• Completion of a department-approved induction program. For more information, you can download the induction program guidelines here
• Completion of three (3) years of satisfactory service as an Education Specialist I Certificate, as verified by the chief school administrator of your district
• Twenty-four credit hours of collegiate study or its equivalent in credits as approved by the Department

Additional Assistance

For assistance with your renewal application, contact the certification department at 717-728-3224 or 717-787-3356. You can also email a specialist at [email protected].

If you are an out-of-state applicant and your current and valid school counselor certificate meets certain requirements, you may be eligible to receive a Pennsylvania Education Specialist I certificate based on an interstate contract with the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification.

Your application materials for a reciprocity license must include the following:

• Completed profile and application through the through the Pennsylvania Teacher Information Management System (TIMS), located here
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended, including transfer credits that led to earned degree
• Proof of qualifying score for the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5421) and GPA. *Please note that all applicants must complete this qualifying examination and GPA requirement, even if they hold a current, valid out-of-state credential.
• Copy of your current, valid out-of-state credential
• $200 or $260 initial application fee, depending upon where you completed your school counseling preparation program

Additional Assistance

If you would like to speak with a certification specialist about your reciprocity application, contact the department of education at 717-728-3224 during normal business hours. You can also email the department at [email protected].