Kansas Alternative School Counselor Certification

AKA: Provisional School Specialist License

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: December 5th, 2024

Alternative School Counselor Certification – Provisional School Specialist License

The provisional school specialist license is designed for aspiring school counselors. This provisional license is valid for two (2) years. It may be renewed for an additional two (2) years by making appropriate progress on the remaining coursework.

To attain a provisional school specialist endorsement license, candidates are required to fulfill 50% of a school counseling program, submit a deficiency plan for the completion of the school counseling program and verify their employment and assignment as a school counselor.

Additionally, to obtain a Provisional School Counselor Endorsement License in Kansas, you must meet the following specific requirements:

  1. Supervision by a Licensed Professional:
    • Verification: You must provide verification from your local education agency confirming that a licensed professional school counselor will supervise you during your provisional licensure period.
  2. Teaching License and Field Experience:
    • Option A: Valid Teaching License:
      • You must have a valid initial teaching license or a professional teaching license.
    • Option B: Additional Field Experiences and On-Site Supervision:
      • If you don’t have a valid teaching license, you must:
        • Complete additional field experiences consisting of at least one three-credit-hour course or at least 35 of the 70 clock-hours specified in paragraph (a)(3)(F)(ii) of the relevant regulations.
        • Be supervised on-site by your teacher education institution during the first semester of your provisional license. You must provide verification of these requirements from the licensure officer at your teacher education institution.

Background Checks

Certification processes necessitate background checks to ensure the safety and suitability of individuals pursuing licensure, particularly in fields like education. This is crucial for identifying any criminal history and ensuring that educators adhere to ethical and legal standards in their interactions with students and the community.

  • Live Scan fingerprinting in Kansas requires scheduling an appointment with a local law enforcement agency, bringing a picture ID, printed KBI LiveScan instructions, and payment for agency fees. During the appointment, complete your personal information and provide the KSDE Code – 902KS1600. After the appointment, pay the $50 fee.
  • To get fingerprinting in Kansas without Live Scan, schedule an appointment with a local law enforcement agency or entity, bring a blank fingerprint card, picture ID, Background Waiver Form, and payment for agency fees. Complete personal information during the appointment and submit it to KSDE via email.
  • For those outside Kansas, schedule an appointment with a local law enforcement agency or fingerprint entity, bring a blank fingerprint card, picture ID, Background Waiver Form, and payment for agency fees. Complete personal information during the appointment and submit the completed card, $50 background fee, and Background Waiver Form via mail.

Separate the $50 background fee from the license application fee to ensure a smooth process. These fees cover the cost of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s background check. Submit required criminal background check materials to the Kansas State Department of Education at KSDE; Attention: Teacher Licensure, 900 SW Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612-1212. For licensure-related inquiries, contact the Licensure Operator at TLALicense@ksde.org or call (785) 296-2288.

Application Process

The application fee for the Provisional School Specialist license is $60 and the payment can be made via personal check, cashiers check, money order, electronic check, or credit card.

To complete an online application, follow these steps:

  • Visit the official Kansas Licensure Application System website.
  • Click on the register button to unveil the KSDE User Registration Form.
  • Proceed through the outlined steps to finalize the registration process.
  • Sign in using the username and password established during registration to access the KSDE Web Applications link.
  • Navigate to the “License Application” menu option within the system to access the relevant application form.
  • Complete the form as required and submit it for processing.

For tracking the status of your application, utilize the Educator License Lookup feature.

Note: It is advised not to utilize the same username and password used for accessing other KSDE-authenticated applications, such as KEEP.