Massachusetts School Counselor Certification

Massachusetts school counselors hold a professional support personnel license with an endorsement in school counseling. There are two levels for certification: Prekindergarten through grade 8 or grades 5 through grades 12.

Counselors provide services to more than 948,000 students in 289 school districts across the state. For more information about the professional support personnel license in Massachusetts, visit the Massachusetts Department of Education Laws and Regulations.

Sponsored School(s)

Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

#1
Grand Canyon University

M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

#8
University of West Alabama

MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact University of West Alabama and request information about their programs.

#2
New York University (NYU)

NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

#6
Campbellsville University

Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.

#6
Butler University

Master of Science in School Counseling Click here to contact Butler University and request information about their programs.

Skip down the page to the certification pathway you’re interested in:

Initial Massachusetts School Counselor Certification

Applicants for a Massachusetts school counselor license, who do not have three (3) years of successful employment history as a school counselor, can apply for an initial license. The following requirements are necessary for the initial license.

Step 1: Education Requirements

Satisfy the following education requirements:

Sponsored School(s)

Featured Universities with School Counseling Programs

#1
Grand Canyon University

M. Ed in School Counseling (leads to initial Licensure) Click here to contact Grand Canyon University and request information about their programs.

#8
University of West Alabama

MS in School Counseling - General Program. Click here to contact University of West Alabama and request information about their programs.

#2
New York University (NYU)

NYU Steinhardt's accredited master of arts program in Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling. Through this online program, you will gain the skills you need to become a professional Pre-K-12 school counselor, working with children and families in your community to foster academic achievement and success. Click here to contact New York University and request information about their programs.

#6
Campbellsville University

Online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Click here to contact Campbellsville University and request information about their programs.

#6
Butler University

Master of Science in School Counseling Click here to contact Butler University and request information about their programs.

Step 2: Submit to a Criminal Background Check

Once you are hired as a Massachusetts school counselor, you will be required to complete fingerprint-based state and national background checks. The fee is $55 for licensed professionals, including school counselors.

For more information about the criminal background checking requirements in Massachusetts, visit the following webpage.

Step 3: Examination Requirements

Applicants for the Massachusetts professional support personnel license, with a school counselor endorsement, must earn a passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. This skills test includes two subtests:

Step 4: Know the Fees

License Application Fee: $100

The initial licensure fee is payable online though the ELAR portal.

FIND SCHOOLS Sponsored Content

Step 5: Organize Your Application Materials

Your complete application is submitted online and includes the following materials:

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Your application for Massachusetts School Counselor license is submitted online, using the Educator Licensure and Renewal (ELAR) portal.

Application fees and all supporting documentation are submitted at this link. For detailed information about how to use the ELAR portal, visit this webpage.

Additional Information

If you need assistance with your School Counselor license application, you can contact a specialist at the Licensure Call Center between the hours of 9 AM to 1 PM, and from 2 PM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. You can also visit the Walk-In Welcome Center, located on the 1st floor of the Department of Education:

Office of Educator License
75 Pleasant Street
Malden MA 02148

Hours of operation:

Monday through Friday
8:45 AM to 4:45 PM

If you visit the Walk-In Welcome Center, you must provide a photo identification card that includes your name.

Massachusetts School Counselor Certification Renewal

An initial license may be renewed only one time before a school counselor must apply for the professional license.

To renew your Massachusetts license as a professional applicant, you must have completed three years of employment as a school counselor. You will also submit proof of one of the following: