Alabama School Counselor Certification Reciprocity

AKA: Out-of-State Certification Pathway

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: July 31st, 2024

The American Counseling Association (ACA) has introduced a licensure portability model, allowing counselors with no disciplinary record to move freely throughout the United States and receive a reciprocal license in their new home state. The model recognizes that jurisdictions may require a state jurisprudence exam. The ACA policy focuses on counselors who have achieved the highest level of license, allowing them to have private practice.

Other levels of license are either too idiosyncratic or do not demonstrate enough experience to be accepted by licensing boards across the country. The ACA has also endorsed the 20/20 licensure title and scope of practice, which allows for seamless transfer of licenses between states. For further information, please send any questions or comments to Lynn Linde or call 800-347-6647 ext. 214.

Alabama School Counselor Reciprocity

The Certification Reciprocity Process for School Counselors in Alabama operates on the recognition of valid professional educator certifications obtained in other states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) (see the main webpage for Alabama educator reciprocity).

Current out-of-state certification serves as the basis for obtaining professional certification in Alabama through the certificate reciprocity system. To be eligible, the provided certificate(s) must be at the degree level and within a teaching or instructional support field relevant to a grade level where Alabama offers comparable certification.

For the professional educator credential for school counselors, the applicant needs to fulfill the following conditions to be eligible for this certification:

  • Hold a valid professional educator credential from another state.
  • Submitting official transcripts to validate all credits and degrees earned. Notably, for areas of instructional support, a master’s degree is mandatory.
  • Providing verification of specific educational experience in grades P-12 for instructional support fields such as educational administration and school counseling.

The new licensing board’s rules for school counselors require advanced-degree courses covering topics such as human growth and development, theories, individual and group counseling, social and cultural foundations, testing/appraisal, research and program evaluation, professional orientation, career development, supervised practicum, and supervised internship.

Application and Forms

Through the certificate reciprocity approach to certification, Alabama recognizes valid professional educator certificates from other states (download the application here), the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories, or the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) as the basis for offering professional certification in the state. The requirements include a $38 fee, background clearance, a valid certificate (download the certification verification form here), specific educational experience in grades P-12, US citizenship (download Declaration of Citizenship form) or lawful presence, official transcripts of credits and degrees, and degrees from regionally accredited senior institutions or accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission.