Obtaining a school counselor license in Kansas involves several steps and requirements. This guide aims to simplify the process for you, whether you're seeking a provisional, initial, or professional license. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know.
Provisional School Counselor License
To obtain a provisional school counselor license in Kansas, follow these steps:
- Complete 50% of an approved School Counseling Licensure program (Traditional Program only).
- Secure a position as a School Counselor.
- Apply for a "Provisional School Specialist License" using KSDE Form 4 available at KSDE's website.
- Submit the online application, which will be forwarded to your employing district and then to the FHSU Licensure Officer for final completion and submission to KSDE.
Allow 4-6 weeks for processing by KSDE. Once processed, you can print the license from the KSDE License Lookup. The license is valid for two years and may be renewed for an additional two years.
Initial School Counselor License
To obtain an initial school counselor license, you must meet the following requirements:
- An official transcript verifying the granting of a graduate degree.
- Verification from an accredited institution of completion of a graduate-level school counseling program.
- Verification of at least one year of recent accredited experience or at least eight semester hours of recent credit.
- Verification of a minimum 3.25 GPA in graduate coursework.
- Verification of a current valid professional teaching license or completion of two 3-credit hour courses if completing the Parallel Pathways Program.
- Verification of successful completion of a school counseling assessment (Praxis test).
- An application for initial school specialist license.
- The license fee.
Candidates must also pass the ETS Content Assessment for School Counselor, PRAXIS II Series Subject Assessments – Professional School Counselor (5421). Register for the test at
ETS's website. Once you secure a position as a School Counselor, apply for an "Initial School Specialist License" using KSDE Form 1. The application will be processed by the FHSU Licensure Officer and submitted to KSDE. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing. The license is valid for two years and may be renewed for an additional two years.
Professional School Counselor License
For a professional school counselor license, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Verification of successful completion in a state-accredited school of the school counselor performance assessment while holding an Initial School Specialist License.
- Verification of at least one year of recent accredited experience or at least eight semester hours of recent credit.
- An application for professional school counselor license.
- The application fee.
Candidates completing the Traditional Program or Restricted License Program apply for a "Professional School Specialist License" using KSDE Form 21. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing by KSDE. Once processed, you can print the license from the KSDE License Lookup.For more information, please follow this
link.
