Maine School Counselor Certification Reciprocity

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: December 20th, 2024

Certification Reciprocity Process for School Counselors

Reciprocity, in the context of school counselor certification, refers to the practice of accepting credentials (certificates, licenses, etc.) issued by one state as valid for certification in another state. It allows educators who are certified in one state to more easily become certified in another without meeting all the new state’s requirements.

Maine accepts out-of-state counselor certification as part of the application materials for a Professional Certificate in School Counseling (see Maine FAQs regarding out-of-state cert). This means that if an individual holds a valid counselor certification from another state, they may qualify for a professional certificate in the State of Maine without having to go through the entire certification process from scratch.

Requirements for Certification:

Out-of-State Certificate:

Applicants need to hold a full certificate as an education specialist (school counselor) issued by another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory, or a country deemed comparable by the Maine Department of Education.

Background Check:

  • A Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) is required.
  • Fingerprinting is required for the initial CHRC. The Department conducts a fingerprint-based criminal history records check, including conviction data from the Maine State Bureau of Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Documentation:

  • Applicants with a conviction should provide court documents if requested by the Department.
  • The law enforcement agency or its designee takes fingerprint impressions and forwards them to the Maine State Bureau of Identification, which then compares them to the conviction database.

Application Process:

  • Complete the approval form for fingerprinting and criminal history records check.
  • Submit the initial certification application.
  • Provide official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
  • Submit proof of passing score for the Professional School Counselor (ETS 5421) exam.
  • Include copies of current, valid out-of-state certifications/licenses.
  • Pay a $100 application fee for the license.

Submit all essential documentation, encompassing official transcripts, evidence of completing the mandatory examination, and duplicates of existing, valid out-of-state certifications/licenses, in a consolidated packet to the Department of Education. The designated address for submission is as follows: Department of Education Certification, Office 23, State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023.

Renewal of Out-of-State Certificates

Renewal Requirements:

  • Fulfill any renewal requirements for the Maine-issued certificate.
  • For teachers and education specialist certificates, complete an approved course for teaching students with exceptionalities in the regular classroom.

Application Process:

  • Submit the renewal application along with the necessary documents.
  • Provide verification from all employing superintendents or headmasters (employers) for the previous five years to determine interrupted service.

Please arrange and submit a comprehensive package containing copies of valid out-of-state certifications/licenses to the Department of Education. The designated address for submission is as follows: Department of Education Certification, Office 23, State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023.

Contact Information:

Note: Due to a high call volume, it is recommended to send an email for quicker responses.