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Wisconsin School Counselor Certification Renewal and Advancement
In Wisconsin, the process for School Counselor Certification renewal and advancement involves several steps and requirements (see Wisconsin Educator Licensing Tiers). Below are listed each school counselor license type and steps to renewal:
Initial to Professional School Counseling License Advancement and Professional Renewal
The initial School Counselor license in Wisconsin is valid for five years and is non-renewable.
- Professional Development Plan (PDP):
- Before the expiration of the initial license, you must develop a Professional Development Plan (PDP).
- The PDP is developed with input from a team including a school administrator approved by the school board, a representative from a state-approved graduate program, and another School Counselor who is not your mentor.
- The PDP should demonstrate your proficiency in all areas of the School Counseling role.
- Professional School Counselor License:
- To continue working as a School Counselor beyond the initial license, you need to obtain a Professional School Counseling License.
This license can be renewed every five years by submitting a new PDP.
Application Directions for (Re)issuance of Provisional License
Provisional License:
- If you haven’t completed the required experience for a Professional License, you can apply for a three-year Provisional License.
- This license is renewable and allows you to work in the subject and grade level indicated on the license.
Application Process:
- Determine if you need to submit fingerprints using the Fingerprint Decision Tree.
- Gather necessary documents, including answers to conduct and competency questions.
- Log in to Educator Licensing Online (ELO) and navigate to the application section.
- Select the appropriate application type (“Request (Re)issuance of Provisional License [3020]”).
- Complete each page of the application, review it, and submit it.
Lifetime Educator License
See the Lifetime Educator License Overview on the DPI website.
Eligibility:
- Requires completion of at least six semesters of successful experience in Wisconsin in the School Counseling role.
- Experience must be completed within the five years immediately preceding the July 1st start date of the lifetime license.
Application Process (see Online Application Overview for Lifetime Educator License):
- Determine background check requirements using the Fingerprint Decision Tree if applicable.
- Gather documents including employment verification forms (PI-1613) from Wisconsin employers.
- Log in to ELO, and select “Request Lifetime License (8000)” in the application section.
- Complete the application, review it for accuracy, and submit it.
- Complete the conduct and competency questionnaire and pay applicable fees.
Background Check for Lifetime License (see Lifetime Educator Licence Maintenance Overview):
- Lifetime license holders need to submit a background check request every five years.
- Use the Fingerprint Decision Tree to determine if fingerprints are required.
- Log in to ELO, and select “Request Background Check – Lifetime License (5900)” in the application section.
- Complete the application, review it for accuracy, and submit it.
- Complete the conduct and competency questionnaire and pay applicable fees.
This process ensures that Wisconsin School Counselors maintain their licenses through ongoing professional development and adherence to state regulations.
Master Educator License
This license allows experienced school counselors to achieve the highest level of professional recognition in Wisconsin.
1. What it Allows You to Do:
- This license authorizes you to work as a school counselor, the same as your previous Tier III license.
2. Who Can Apply:
- You must already hold or have held a valid Tier III school counselor license.
- You must be certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
7. License Validity:
- The license remains valid unless:
- You are not employed in education for 5 or more consecutive years.
- You fail to meet the background check requirements.
8. Background Checks:
- You must submit to a background check every 5 years.
- These must be requested between January 1 and June 30 of the 5th year since the last backround check.
- There may be a fee for the background check.
- If your license becomes invalid due to a failed background check, you have 180 days to pass a new one to reinstate your license.