School Counselor / Connecticut
2026 data Connecticut board official source

Connecticut School Counselor License Requirements

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

Provides academic and social-emotional counseling to students.

What the Connecticut data shows for School Counselors

Becoming a licensed school counselor in Connecticut means clearing a defined set of hurdles: board-approved training, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and 1 year of supervised work experience, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Connecticut regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in School Counseling".

The initial price tag is $214, and renewal costs $146 every 5 years. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: State-specific reciprocity varies.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
School Counselor · Connecticut

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$214
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$29/yr
$146 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required F
1 year
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Connecticut

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$214
Renewal Fee
$146
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Connecticut licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $214 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in Connecticut?
Certification as a school counselor in Connecticut means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Connecticut licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to Connecticut from another state?
For school counselors, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: State-specific reciprocity varies. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Connecticut licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Connecticut require a background check for School Counselor licensing?
Connecticut does require a background check before issuing a school counselor license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for School Counselor in Connecticut?
Connecticut ties continued school counselor licensure to 150 continuing-education hours, due every 5 years, alongside a $146 renewal fee.

What to do with this school counselor license

School Counselor in Connecticut, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a school counselor-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Connecticut's school counselor requirements compare to every other state before relocating. School Counselor in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state school counselor license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Connecticut's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Connecticut overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Connecticut licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.