School Counselor / District of Columbia
2026 data District of Columbia board official source

District of Columbia School Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Provides academic and social-emotional counseling to students.

What the District of Columbia data shows for School Counselors

District of Columbia sets the entry bar for school counselors at board-approved training and a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), with 1 year of supervised work experience expected. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under District of Columbia's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in School Counseling".

Budget $187 to get started, plus $130 at each renewal on a 5-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 150 hours of continuing education are due every 5-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For school counselors, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific reciprocity varies.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
34/100
School Counselor · District of Columbia

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
$187
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$26/yr
$130 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 District of Columbia

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$187
Renewal Fee
$130
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Work Experience Required
1 year

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for School Counselor All District of Columbia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with District of Columbia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in District of Columbia? ▼
In District of Columbia, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $187 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in District of Columbia? ▼
District of Columbia licenses school counselors who complete its requirements (1 year of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the District of Columbia licensing board.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does District of Columbia require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for school counselor licensing in District of Columbia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for School Counselor in District of Columbia? ▼
To stay licensed as a school counselor in District of Columbia, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $130.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

  • See how District of Columbia'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 District of Columbia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. District of Columbia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the District of Columbia 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.