Indiana School Counselor Certification Renewal

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: November 21st, 2024

School Counselor Certification Renewal and Upgrades

Renewing your Indiana school counselor license is a crucial step in maintaining your professional credentials. The specific requirements depend on the type of license you hold and the renewal method you choose (see Indiana Dept. of Education Certification Renewals).

Initial License and Renewal Overview:

  • Duration: Your initial school counselor license can be issued for 2, 5, or 10 years.
  • Renewal: Renew your license within 45 days of its expiration date.
  • Renewal Methods:
    • Professional Growth Plan (PGP): Accumulate the required number of PGP points through specific professional activities.
    • Professional Development: Complete 6 hours of college coursework.

Initial Practitioner (IP) License:

  • Renewal: If you hold an IP license and haven’t completed two years of full-time school counseling in an accredited school, you’ll need to renew it.

Converting from IP to Practitioner (P) License:

  • PGP Points: Earn 40 PGP points to convert your IP license to a P license.

Renewing a Practitioner License:

  • PGP Points: Earn 90 PGP points to renew your 5-year or 10-year P license.
  • NBPTS Certification: Alternatively, hold a valid National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification to renew your P license.

Renewal of the Initial Practitioner License

The Initial Practitioner License in Indiana is valid for two (2) years and requires renewal if the educator does not have two (2) years of full-time teaching experience at an accredited school. The renewal process must be initiated within forty-five (45) days of the license expiration date. To renew, educators need a valid CPR card from an IDOE-approved provider. The renewal application should not be submitted more than forty-five (45) days before the expiration date, and there is no penalty if the renewal requirements are not completed before the expiration.

Requirements:

  • Valid CPR card from IDOE-approved provider.
  • Renewal is needed if lacking two (2) years of full-time teaching experience.

Fees:

  • $35 for each license or permit.

Steps:

  1. Log into the LVIS account.
  2. Select “Renew, Convert, or Professionalize my license.”
  3. Choose School Services.
  4. Select “Renew a 2-year license.”
  5. Answer questions, provide documentation, and upload required files.
  6. Submit the application and pay fees.

Initial Practitioner Conversion to Practitioner License

Educators looking to convert their Initial Practitioner (IP) license to a Practitioner (P) license with a Professional Growth Plan (PGP) for School Services must follow a specific process (see IP conversions with PGP). The conversion involves accumulating forty (40) PGP points, which can be earned through various professional development activities. Once the points are obtained, educators must log into their LVIS account, create a new PGP, enter the required information, and submit it for verification. After approval, the educator can proceed with the conversion process, providing necessary documentation and answering relevant questions. The final step involves payment and submission of the application.

Requirements:

  • Valid CPR card.
  • Accumulate forty (40) PGP points.
  • Verification of two (2) yearsof teaching experience.

Fees:

  • $35 for each license or permit.

Steps:

  1. Log into LVIS and create a new PGP.
  2. Enter the required information and submit it for verification.
  3. After approval, log in and select “Renew, Convert, or Professionalize my license.”
  4. Choose “Convert to a five (5)-year license.”
  5. Select “Convert with forty (40) Point PGP.”
  6. Answer questions, provide documentation, and submit the application.
  7. Pay fees and review the summary.

Note: Always await PGP approval before proceeding with upgrades. Fees are non-refundable, and applications can be saved for later if needed.

Renew Practitioner License 5-year and 10-year

Renewing a Practitioner (P) License for five (5) or ten (10) years in Indiana requires a Professional Growth Plan (PGP), with changes under SEA 319 (2020)., or acquisition of a National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification.

While career awareness PGP points are no longer mandatory, educators must complete a ninety (90)-point PGP for a five (5) or ten (10)-year renewal. The PGP serves as a record of professional growth and development, encompassing various activities such as conferences, workshops, committee work, and coursework. The renewal process involves logging into the LVIS account, selecting the appropriate renewal option, answering questions, and providing documentation. Educators must accumulate PGP points from the issue date of the license being renewed.

Requirements:

  • Valid CPR card.
  • Approved ninety (90)-point PGP (no longer required fifteen (15) points in career awareness) or NBPTS certification.
  • Verification of two (2) years’ of experience.

Fees:

  • $35 for each license or permit.

Steps:

  1. Log into the LVIS account.
  2. Select “Renew, Convert, or Professionalize my license.”
  3. Choose School Services.
  4. Select “Convert to a five (5)-year license.”
  5. Select “Convert with ninety (90)-Point PGP.” or “Renew with IPLA” if you are renewing with a NBPTS certification.
  6. Answer questions, provide documentation, and upload required files.
  7. Submit the application, pay fees, and review the summary.

For additional details on the process of renewing your Indiana School Counselor license, we encourage you to reach out to a certification specialist. You may contact them through email at licensinghelp@doe.in.gov or by phone at the Department of Education at 317-232-9010.