Alabama Provisional Certificate in Library Media or School Counseling (PCLS)

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: June 3rd, 2024

This Provisional Certificate in Library Media or School Counseling (PCLS) is designed for individuals seeking employment as library media specialists or school counselors in Alabama. The certificate is an option in certain districts to address the need for qualified professionals while providing a pathway for individuals to meet certification requirements over a specific timeline. See overview of Alabama educator certification overview here.

Applicants must also hold a valid license as an Associate Licensed Counselor or a Licensed Professional Counselor issued by a state board of examiners in counseling and pass the prescribed School Counseling Praxis test. The first and second certificates are required for applicants to be eligible for professional certification.

The certificate is valid for four consecutive years, starting from the scholastic year of issuance (e.g., 2022-2023 to 2025-2026). The certificate is not renewable. However, individuals must progress to the Professional Educator Certificate within the specified four-year window.

Alabama Provisional Certification in School Counseling Requirements

This guide explains the requirements for obtaining both the First and Second Provisional Certificates in Library Media or School Counseling (PCLS) in the state of Alabama. Follow below to learn about the requirements for first and second PCLS certificates.

Education or Degree Requirements

First Provisional certificate in Library Media or School Counseling

This guide outlines the two main options for obtaining a Provisional Certificate in Library Media or School Counseling (PCLS) in Alabama, specifically for school counselors.

Option 1: Out-of-State School Counseling Certificate

  • You possess a master’s degree (or higher) in school counseling from a regionally accredited institution.
  • You hold a valid professional educator certificate in School Counseling (at the master’s level or higher) issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
  • You lack only the two years of full-time professional experience required for a Class A Professional Educator Certificate in School Counseling in Alabama.

Benefit: Under the Certificate Reciprocity Approach, you’ll receive a PCLS certificate at the same level as your out-of-state school counseling certificate.

Option 2: Valid Counseling License (Non-School Counseling)

  • You have a master’s degree (or higher) in a counseling field other than school counseling from a regionally accredited institution.
  • You hold a valid license issued by a state board of examiners in counseling.

Benefit: You’ll be eligible for a PCLS certificate based on your highest earned counseling degree. However, you’ll need to complete additional requirements to earn a full School Counseling certificate in Alabama.

Important Note: This is a simplified overview. Always refer to the Alabama State Department of Education (https://www.alabamaachieves.org/) for the most current information and application procedures for the PCLS certificate.

Second Provisional certificate in Library Media or School Counseling

Candidates must gain a full year of relevant educational work experience while holding the first Provisional Certificate in Library Media or School Counseling.

Application for the Professional Educator Certificate upon completion of the PCLS

Individuals must accrue the necessary educational work experience while holding the second Provisional Certificate in Library Media or School Counseling to be eligible for application to the Professional Educator Certificate.

Experience Requirements

First Certificate:

The first certificate does not necessitate a full year of work experience. This allows individuals with partial or limited work experience to qualify for this certificate.

Second Certificate:

To obtain the second certificate, candidates need a year of full-time work experience related to education. Additionally, they must have already acquired the first PCLS certificate, indicating a foundational level of expertise.

 Professional Educator Certificate:

The highest level, the Professional Educator Certificate, demands a comprehensive year of full-time educational work experience. Candidates are required to possess the second PCLS certificate, demonstrating a progression in their educational expertise.

Testing Requirements

AECAP prescribed the Library Media or School Counseling Praxis test – Alabama’s Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) includes Praxis Subject Assessments, Principles of Learning and Teaching, edTPA® Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, and Foundations of Reading.

  • To obtain certification, individuals must complete the AECAP requirements.

The Praxis® tests are available all year through an international network of test centers, including Prometric® and Strategic Testing Networks (STNs). For exam takers in the United States, its territories, or Canada, they can also be taken at home. The examinations are identical to those taken at a testing center in terms of content, format, and on-screen experience, and are overseen online by a human proctor.

  • Visit www.ets.org/praxis/register or fill out the Test Authorization Voucher Request form to register for the Braille Proficiency (0633) test.

Test revisions and score increases are effective for exams taken and applications received in the Alabama State Department of Education’s Educator Certification Section after September 1, 2023. Educator Assessment Policies Manuals A and B contain more testing information.

  • For further information about the Alabama certification approaches, go to the Alabama State Department of Education’s (ALSDE) website.

Background Checks for Alabama School Counselor Certification

To ensure the safety and well-being of students, all school counselor applicants in Alabama must undergo a thorough background check. This process includes:

  • Criminal history checks: These are conducted by both the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (ASBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Fingerprint Process:

  • Fieldprint is the authorized contractor for fingerprint collection.
  • Applicants can check their clearance status through the TCERT Portal.
  • If not already cleared, applicants must be fingerprinted. Scheduling and registration for fingerprinting can be done through AIM.
  • Fingerprint sites: Applicants can visit a designated fingerprint site or request fingerprint cards during scheduling (for those unable to visit a site).
  • Submitting fingerprints: After completing the cards, send one (made payable to Fieldprint) to a local law enforcement agency and keep the second card for potential reprints.
  • International applicants: Wait to complete the process upon arrival in the United States.

Resources and Contact Information:

Application Process

The application process involves submitting official transcripts securely to the Educator Certification Section. There are three options for submitting transcripts:

Option 1 – Transcripts can be mailed to the Educator Certification Section in a sealed envelope from the institution(s). The address for mailing is: Alabama State Department of Education, Educator Certification Section, 5215 Gordon Persons Building, Post Office Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101

Option 2 – Transcripts can be submitted securely through electronic transmission by the National Student Clearinghouse. The ETX option should not be selected.

Option 3 – Transcripts can be submitted securely through electronic transmission from the institution as an electronic PDF to certtranscripts@alsde.edu. It’s important to note that transcripts submitted from an individual or personal/business email account will not be accepted.

Download the first PCLS application here, and the second PCLS application here.

In addition to the transcript submission, there is a nonrefundable application fee of $38.00. The fee can be paid by cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE).

Alternatively, it can be paid through the ALSDE Educator Certification Online Payment System using a major credit card. If you pay online, a transaction fee will be applied. The cashier’s check, money order, or a copy of the receipt verifying the confirmation number for the online payment must accompany the application packet.