Certification Renewal Process for Missouri School Counselors
Navigating the process of renewing and upgrading certifications is vital for School Counselors to maintain their professional standing and enhance their skills. Follow the steps below to learn how to renewing or upgrading your certification (administrative code regulating the renewal process):
Initial School Counseling Certificate Renewal
- Validity: The initial certificate is valid for four (4) years from the date of issuance.
- Requirements for Renewal:
- Proof of 40 professional development contact hours, which may include college credits. (One semester hour of college credit equals 15 professional development contact hours.)
- $35 upgrade application fee.
- Application Process:
- Completed Upgrade Student Service application, available online.
- Gather documentation of professional development hours and any relevant college credits.
- Apply along with the required $35 fee.
Upgrading Process to Career Continuous Student Services Certificate
Requirements for Career Continuous Student Services Certificate (Upgrade Process Overview on DESE):
- Initial Certification Requirements (Issuance):
- Four (4) years of approved experience in the specific area of Student Services Certification.
- Participation in two (2) years of district-provided mentoring during the first two (2) years of student services experience.
- Development, implementation, and completion of a professional development plan of at least forty (40) contact hours or three (3) semester hours of graduate credit.
- Successful participation in an annual performance-based evaluation.
- Specific requirements for certain areas such as possession of valid licenses or degrees for particular roles.
- Renewal Requirements:
- Continued participation in a performance-based evaluation.
- Completion of twenty (20) contact hours of professional development annually.
- Possession of valid licenses.
- Exemption from Additional Professional Development:
- Career Continuous Student Services Certificate holders may be exempt from additional professional development if they meet specific criteria such as having a local professional development plan in place and meeting experience or educational requirements.
Application Process for Career Continuous Student Services Certificate
- Initial Issuance:
- Meet all initial certification requirements as outlined by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
- Submit the required documentation and application forms.
- Renewal:
- Submit documentation of continued participation in performance-based evaluations and completion of annual professional development hours.
- Ensure possession of valid licenses or meet exemption criteria for additional professional development.
- Follow any specific guidelines provided by DESE for renewal (DESE renewal overview).
- Background Checks:
- Background checks may be required as part of the initial application process, and the specific procedures for this will be outlined by DESE.
- Documentation:
- Documentation of professional development, mentoring participation, performance evaluations, and any other relevant qualifications or experiences should be provided as required.
- Fees:
- Fees may vary depending on the application type and any additional services required (e.g., background checks). Applicants should check with DESE for current fee schedules.
Should you require further details regarding the enhancement of your School Counseling credential, please feel free to reach out to a certification specialist via email at certification@dese.mo.gov. Alternatively, you can contact the Missouri Educator Certification office at 573-751-0051 during regular business hours (see DESE renewal process overview).