What's Here? - Table of Contents
Obtaining Initial School Counselor certification in Nevada involves navigating through a structured process encompassing education, certification, and experience requirements. Aspiring cchool counselors must hold a master’s degree or higher in School Counseling, along with completing specific graduate credits and field experience hours (see Alternative School Counselor Certification below to learn about a quicker temporary option). Additionally, candidates are required to pass the Professional School Counselor Exam and undergo a background check to ensure suitability for working with students.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant temporary employment authorization for qualified individuals who meet certain academic criteria and experience thresholds. The application process is facilitated through the Online Portal for Applications and Licensure (OPAL), with associated fees applicable (see Alternative School Counselor Certification).
To qualify for endorsement as an Initial School Counselor in Nevada, applicants must meet one of the following education pathways:
Experience requirements are different based on the certification option pathway you choose:
Options 1 and 2: None.
Options 3 and 4:
The School Counselor licensing requirement in Nevada mandates obtaining a score of 159 or higher on the Professional School Counselor Exam, which corresponds to ETS Test Code 5422. This exam (fee $130) assesses whether aspiring School counselors possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities aligned with the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies.
To register for the exam or acquire more information, you can visit the Praxis website. For detailed information on the test format, sample questions, and study tips, you can access free resources by downloading them from this link.
A background check is required for certification to ensure the safety and integrity of educational environments (see background process overview). It helps identify any criminal history, particularly felonies or offenses involving moral turpitude, which could impact an educator’s ability to fulfill their duties responsibly.
To meet the requirements of the background check for certification in Nevada (see NV Administrative Code), applicants must submit fingerprints and written permission authorizing the Superintendent to forward them to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History and the FBI (see fingerprinting process overview). This can be done either electronically via Livescan (see Livescan Vendors) or by submitting a fingerprint card (FBI form FD-258 or equivalent).
The processing fee for the background check is $30 which may vary depending on the method chosen for fingerprint submission and any associated agency fees. Applicants may need to pay licensing fees as part of the overall certification process.
The background processing typically takes four to eight (4 to 8) weeks and rejected fingerprints may necessitate resubmission. If criminal history appears, further documentation such as court records may be required for evaluation.
The application process for a Nevada School Counselor license involves several steps:
For assistance with OPAL or any inquiries regarding the application process, you can contact the educator licensure office at (702)-486-6458 during normal business hours. If you’d like to speak with a licensure specialist, you can reach out via email at license@doe.nv.gov or by calling the same phone number.
Alternative Pathway:
This pathway, albeit temporary and subject to stringent criteria, allows for the employment of qualified individuals with relevant academic backgrounds and enrollment in a graduate-level program in school counseling (see NV Administrative Code).