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School Counselor (Pre K-12)

School Counselor (Pre K-12) 2023-04-11T16:02:46-06:00

A school counseling license authorizes a qualified individual to provide a school-level guidance program based on the American school counseling association national standards and focused on the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and vocational growth of each student.

Initial License

  • $150 (non-refundable) fee; and
  • Initial Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
    • Pathway 1
      • Official sealed transcripts Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university must have 36-42 graduate hours in school counseling to include a practicum in a school setting; and
      • Passage of the following PRAXIS exams:  Professional School Counselor 5421 (accepted through 8/31/23) OR School Counselor 5422 (required beginning 9/1/23); or
    • Pathway 2
      • Licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) or licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC) issued by the New Mexico Counseling & Therapy Practice Board and a minimum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit in school counseling course work; and
      • Passage of the following PRAXIS exams: Professional School Counselor 5421 (accepted through 8/31/23) OR School Counselor 5422 (required beginning 9/1/23); or
    • Pathway 3
      • National Certified School Counselor credential issued by the National Board for certified counselors; and
      • Passage of the following PRAXIS exams: Professional School Counselor 5421 (accepted through 8/31/23) OR School Counselor 5422 (required beginning 9/1/23); or
  • Register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure”.

School Counselor NMAC Code

Renewal License

  • $120 (non-refundable) fee will be valid for a one-year grace period for level 2 or 3 (from the time of expiration). If the expiration date exceeds the grace period a $150.00 would apply; and;
  • Renewal Application via NMPED Online Licensure Portal; and
  • Superintendent‘s Recommendation for Continuing Licensure (Must be on School District Letterhead).
    • Note: If the educator does not have additional valid licenses on file, then must register for background/fingerprints for “Teacher Licensure

Renewal of Licensure Level

Level 1 → 3 year license

Level 2 → 9 year license, advancement to a level 2 can be obtained after 3 full school years of licensure on a level 1 license

Level 3 → 9 year license, advancement to a level 3 can be obtained after 3 full school years of licensure on a level 2 license

Instructional Support Provider Superintendent Recommendation Form

School Counselor NMAC Code

Levels and Duration of License – NMAC Code

Delay of application:

  • Your application is lacking supporting documents listed in the above check list;
  • If your license(s) has expired (and you do not have additional valid licenses on file), and your background was completed 24 months or more, you will need to complete a new background for Teacher Licensure. School Employment backgrounds will not be accepted.

NMPED Correspondence with Educators:

  • Consultants correspond by email. Please check your spam/junk folder.


All fees submitted are non-refundable

 

 

Page last updated April 11, 2023