Iowa Initial School Counselor Certification

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: December 3rd, 2024

Initial Professional Services License – Initial School Counselor Certification

The Initial Professional Service license is the most common pathway. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires applicants to hold a master’s degree in school counseling, aligning with specific requirements set by the state. Experience requirements include two (2) years of successful service as a school counselor in an Iowa public school or three (3) years in an accredited Iowa private school or an out-of-state education setting.

As of January 2020, there are no examination requirements for Iowa School Counseling endorsements. A criminal background check is mandatory for all applicants, conducted by the Iowa State Division of Criminal Investigations and the FBI. The application process is completed online through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, requiring a profile, transcripts, proof of completed Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporter Training, an FBI fingerprint card, and a $40 application fee.

Education or Degree Requirements

Tips for success include thorough research on program accreditation and alignment with state standards before enrollment.

Experience Requirements

  • Applicants must demonstrate two (2) years of successful service as a school counselor in an Iowa public school or three (3) years in an accredited Iowa private school or an out-of-state education setting.
  • The experience plays a pivotal role in transitioning from the Initial Professional Service License to the Professional Service License with a validity of five (5) years.

The school counselor exhibits proficiency in delivering classroom sessions for elementary students, with a focus on either elementary or middle school certification, OR for both middle and secondary school students in the case of secondary certification.

During the practicum, which entails a minimum of 500 contact hours, the aspiring counselor, under the guidance of a licensed professional school counselor, is exposed to diverse activities mirroring the responsibilities of a regularly employed school counselor. These activities encompass but are not restricted to individual counseling, group interventions, developmental classroom guidance, and consultation.

Testing Requirements

As of January 2020, there are no examination requirements for Iowa School Counseling endorsements. No specific exams need to be taken for this licensure pathway.

Background Checks

A background check is required for certification to ensure that individuals applying for licensure meet certain standards and do not have a history that could compromise their suitability for the position. It helps assess an applicant’s criminal history, potential involvement in child abuse, or any association with sex offenses.

For first-time applicants in Iowa since June 5, 2023, the Bureau of Educational Examiners utilizes Fieldprint for the federal portion of background checks. The process involves:

  • Fingerprinting: Applicants must be fingerprinted at Fieldprint locations across Iowa. Instructions for making an appointment and securing fingerprints are provided in the application.
  • Submission to Federal Agency: Fieldprint submits the fingerprints to the federal agency to complete the background check.

Individuals applying from outside Iowa have two (2) options:

  • Fieldprint Process: Wait until visiting Iowa to complete the process through Fieldprint. The cost for the federal background check and fingerprinting is $34.35, paid directly to Fieldprint.
  • Paper Fingerprint Cards: Request a card packet by contacting the office at (515) 281-3245. There is an additional fee of $75.00 for completing the background check through paper cards.

In all cases, the remaining fee for the background check ($35.00) is paid to the Board of Educational Examiners in the online application. The Fieldprint process is preferred for its convenience, faster processing times, and lower individual applicant costs. The goal is to ensure the integrity and suitability of individuals seeking educational licensure.

Application Process

The application process is completed online through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Steps include:

  • Complete the profile and application through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners online portal.
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
  • Provide proof of completed Mandatory Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporter Training from the Iowa Department of Human Services.
  • Obtain an FBI fingerprint card and pay the $75 background check fee.
  • Pay a $40 application fee for the license.

The Educator License Fees include a first license/authorization fee of $120, renewals/conversions fee of $95, extensions (advanced degree and 10 years experience), coaching extension fee of $40, initial license extension of $25, Behind the Wheel paraeducator fee of $40, transcript evaluation fee of $60, endorsement fee of $50, printed/mailed license fee of $15, and late fees of $25/month for licensees and $100/month for non-licensed licenses.

For assistance regarding your application, please reach out to the Iowa Department of Education or contact Dr. Linda Espey, the designated specialist for Iowa’s counseling endorsement. You can connect with her via phone at (515) 281-3245 or through email at Linda.Espey@Iowa.gov.