Minnesota School Counselor Certification Renewal

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: January 10th, 2025

Certification Renewal Process for School Counselors

The Minnesota Tier 2 (initial) school counselor license remains valid for two (2) academic years, with an expiration date of June 30th in the respective expiration year. You have the option to renew your Tier 2 license up to three (3) times. Tier 3 school counselor license is valid for three (3) years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times. Tier 4 school counselor license is valid for five (5) years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times as well.

To initiate the renewal process for your Minnesota license, please visit the MN PELSB website and choose the relevant Tier Application:

Tier 2 License Renewal

Duration:

  • Valid for two (2) academic years, renewable three (3) times.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Completion of cultural competency training.
  • Completion of mental illness training, including one (1) hour of suicide prevention.
  • Completion of American Indian History and Culture (AIHC) training.
  • Participation in mentorship and evaluation aligned with the districts teacher development and evaluation model.

Application Process:

  • The hiring district and the licensed Tier 2 educator must provide evidence of eligibility and apply for renewal jointly after June 30th of the renewal year.
  • The hiring district must verify the completion of required training and mentorship/evaluation.
  • The Tier 2 educator must provide evidence of completion of required training and, if applicable, certification of meaningful progress toward completion of a content-specific program.

Fees: $57 renewal application fee.

Tier 3 License Renewal

Duration:

  • Valid for three (3) years, renewable indefinitely.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Completion of a master’s degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Completion of a preparation program approved by the state or the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Services.
  • Submission of official college/university transcripts.
  • Completion of renewal credits totaling at least 75 clock hours.
  • Renewal application fee.

Application Process:

  • Submit a completed application along with transcripts and renewal fee on the online portal.
  • Provide evidence of completion of renewal credits.
  • No background check is required for renewal.

Fees: $57 renewal application fee.

Tier 4 License Renewal

Duration:

  • Valid for five (5) years, renewable indefinitely.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Meet all requirements for a Tier 3 license renewal.
  • Have at least three (3) years of experience working as a school counselor in Minnesota.
  • You must not have been placed or kept in an improvement process aligned with the district’s teacher development and evaluation plan by the most recent summative evaluation.

Application Process:

  • Submit a completed application along with transcripts, renewal fee, verification of experience (125 clock hours renewal credits), and any additional documentation required on the online portal.
  • No background check is required for renewal.

Fees: $57 renewal application fee.

For all tiers, it’s essential to ensure that renewal requirements are met before beginning the renewal process. Additionally, Tier 3  and Tier 4 educators can begin to renew their licenses starting January 1st in the year of expiration. Tier 2 educators may begin to renew a license starting July 1st in the year of expiration.

Additional Information:

  • Educators must ensure that all renewal requirements are met BEFORE beginning the license renewal process.
  • Licenses are renewed through the Online License Renewal System.
  • For Tier 2 to Tier 3 transition, various pathways are available including completion of an approved Minnesota teacher preparation program, out-of-state teaching experience, or passing applicable exams.
  • For the Tier 3 to Tier 4 transition, verification of completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program and field-specific teaching experience is required.
  • Tier 2 licenses may be renewed up to three (3) times in a lifetime, with additional renewals allowed if the district can show “good cause.”

To obtain further details on the process of renewing your Minnesota School Counselor license, feel free to reach out to a dedicated specialist at 651-539-4200. They are available Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 2 PM CST, and will be happy to assist you with any inquiries you may have.