Louisiana Initial School Counselor Certification

Louisiana School Counselor Certification (Ancillary Certification for School Counselors K-12)

Ancillary Certification for School Counselors K-12 is the certification name of a school counselor certification in Louisiana (see Louisiana Dept of Education’s Ancillary Certification Application). The Louisiana School Counselor (K-12) certification process involves obtaining a Master’s degree in school counseling from a university accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Alternatively, individuals with a Master’s degree in a counseling field may qualify by completing six (6) credit hours in school counseling courses from a CACREP-accredited program. Practical experience in the field is required through a practicum and an internship (see Louisiana Administrative Code).

The certification for Ancillary School Counselors K-12 in Louisiana carries a validity period of five (5) years and is subject to renewal contingent upon completion of continuing education and verification of effectiveness (see Louisiana Ancillary Certification Renewal for School Counselors).

Education or Degree Requirements

Obtaining certification as a school counselor in Louisiana typically involves the acquisition of a Master’s degree in school counseling from a university accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Find all schools offering school counseling degree programs in Louisiana.

Alternatively, individuals possessing a Master’s degree in a counseling field, other than school counseling, may qualify by completing six (6) credit hours in school counseling courses from a CACREP-accredited program.

Tips: It is advisable to ensure that the chosen degree program is accredited by CACREP and encompasses the requisite practicum and internship experiences. Strategic planning of coursework to meet specific credit hour requirements and documentation of experiences is crucial for later stages in the certification process.

Experience Requirements

The practicum and internship experience includes completing a practicum involving 100 contact hours and an internship in School Counseling comprising 600 contact hours, both conducted in a school setting.

• In-state experience is confirmed by the employing school system using the In-State Experience Verification form, while out-of-state experience necessitates validation by the out-of-state direct employing authority.

Testing Requirements

Candidates are required to successfully pass the Professional School Counselor exam (ETS 5421) with a qualifying score of 156 or higher. Comprehensive information about the examination, including registration details, can be found on the Praxis website.

To ensure that scores are reported to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), individuals should register for the applicable exams using their Social Security Number (SS#) with the designated score recipient code #7330. If a test taker opts to register without utilizing the SS#, scores will not be electronically transmitted to LDOE (see LDOE application portal).

• For the School Counselor, Professional School Counselor (0421 or 5421), effective from July 1, 2015, to August 31, 2023, the requisite area test score is 156. Subsequently, for the School Counselor (5422) effective from September 1, 2022, onward, the area test score requirement is 159.

It is noteworthy that the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators/Pre-Professional Skills Tests (Praxis I) are no longer mandatory for Louisiana certification.

Background Checks

A background check is required for certification to ensure the safety of students by screening potential employees for any criminal history, particularly offenses that could pose a risk to children (see LA Dept of Ed. overview of background checks). In Louisiana, the State Police (see LA State Police background check procedures) conducts these checks in collaboration with various registries, including the FBI, the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR), the Louisiana Sex Offender Registry (LSOR), and the Louisiana Child Abuse and Neglect Registry (LCANR). According to Louisiana law R.S. 15:587.1, background checks shall disclose ALL CONVICTIONS, (Including but not limited to expungements, first offender pardons, and pretrial diversion). Criminal Background Checks (CBCs) are conducted per La. R.S. 17:15 and La. R.S. 15:587.1.

The background check is initiated by the hiring school upon employment, covering searches across multiple registries. The results remain valid for five (5) years.

• To meet the background check requirements, potential employees must submit the following forms to the Louisiana State Police:

• Authorization Form
• Rap Disclosure Form
• Right to Review Form

The background check process involves submitting fingerprints and a signed statement authorizing the release of information from the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (LCBI) to the school.

The potential employee may be temporarily hired pending the report from the LCBI, but each school must maintain the statement of approval from the LCBI in the employee’s personnel file. The results of the background check remain valid for five (5) years.

Application Process

The Louisiana School Counselor license application must be submitted electronically through Teach Live! portal. This application entails providing official transcripts, evidence of exam scores, and other requisite documentation. Please ensure the submission of a comprehensive application package, complete with the necessary documentation, via the online educator certification portal.

The following components are essential for a complete application, each requiring the applicant’s signature and current date:

• Submission of both a copy of the Applicant’s Social Security Card and Driver’s License is mandatory for every application.
• Accomplish the “Ancillary Teaching Certification (AT)” Application form.
• A Self-Evaluation Checklist should be completed (applicable only for initial certification).
• The Professional Conduct form must be filled out with all questions addressed, signed, and dated by the applicant.
• Submit the Experience Verification form that is mandatory for all requests.
• If not previously submitted to the certification office, provide official transcripts.
• Include all qualifying documents.
• Attach a copy of the Online Payment Confirmation email or a screenshot. Refer to the Processing Fee Schedule to determine the amount due. The license application incurs a fee of $50, payable online using Visa, MasterCard, or Bank Debit card.

Note: Payment made through the TeachLALive! portal is non-refundable and does not guarantee certification. Ensure inclusion of the email confirmation or payment success screen, as applications lacking these will be returned without processing. The application is submitted online through Teach Live! portal.

For additional assistance and details regarding your Louisiana School Counselor certification, dedicated specialists can be contacted at the toll-free number (877) 453-2721. To seek information about certification prerequisites, please reach out to the certification staff through the online Educator Certification Portal. Applications are reviewed in the sequence they are received. You can monitor the progress of your certification application by accessing the status online.