Connecticut Provisional School Counselor Certification

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: September 12th, 2024

Provisional School Counselor Certification – Upgrading the Initial Certification

Applicants for a provisional educator certificate in school counseling must show proof of meeting initial educator credential criteria. Completing the BEST evaluation and serving for 10 months under an initial educator certificate, interim educator certificate, or durational shortage area permission are required. Alternatively, applicants can meet the qualifications by having taught as a school counselor in the previous 10 years or having successfully served under a provisional teaching or provisional educator certificate in the previous school year.

The certificate is renewable, and individuals must apply for renewal through the CECS portal or by submitting a paper-based ED 170 application. The renewal fee is $250.00, which includes a $50 nonrefundable review fee. Online renewals can be paid by credit card, while mailed applications accept money orders, cashier’s checks, or certified bank checks. Additionally, applicants with 20 months of successful service under a license within the last ten years need to submit a Statement of Professional Experience (ED 126) form(s) with their renewal application.

It takes roughly 2-3 months of processing time after submitting your application. After all required documents have been presented, eligibility determination may take several months. Applications are handled in the order in which they were received.

To obtain a provisional educator certificate for a school counselor position, applicants must fulfill the preparation and eligibility criteria for an initial educator certificate designed for school counseling roles. In addition to the above prerequisites, the following conditions must be met:

Successful Completion of BEST Assessment and 10 School Months:

  • Complete the BEST assessment provided by the Board.
  • Accumulate 10 school months of successful service under an initial educator certificate, interim educator certificate, or durational shortage area permit.

30 School Months of Teaching Experience within 10 Years:

  • Within the 10 years preceding the application, complete a minimum of 30 school months as a successful school counselor in a public school, an approved nonpublic school, or a nonpublic school sanctioned by the relevant governing body in another state.

Provisional Teaching or Educator Certificate Service:

  • Successfully serve a board of education under a provisional teaching or provisional educator certificate during the school year immediately before applying for the provisional educator certification.
  • The subject area or field taught during the preceding year should align with the provisional educator certification sought.

These requirements aim to ensure that candidates not only meet the standard criteria for educator certification but also demonstrate practical experience and competence specific to the school counseling role. The options provided accommodate diverse paths, acknowledging both recent graduates and experienced educators seeking a transition into school counseling. It emphasizes a balance between formal assessment (BEST) and practical, on-the-job experience in educational settings.