School Counselor / Hawaii
2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii 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 Hawaii data shows for School Counselors

Hawaii's path to school counselor licensure runs through board-approved instruction, 1 year of supervised work experience, and a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. Hawaii folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in School Counseling".

Budget $244 to get started, plus $165 at each renewal on a 5-year cycle. Maintaining the license requires 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

On reciprocity, school counselors should know: State-specific reciprocity varies.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
30/100
School Counselor · Hawaii

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
$244
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$33/yr
$165 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 Hawaii

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$244
Renewal Fee
$165
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 Hawaii licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in Hawaii? ▼
In Hawaii, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $244 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in Hawaii? ▼
To become a licensed school counselor in Hawaii, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Hawaii licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to Hawaii from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for school counselors nationally works like this: State-specific reciprocity varies. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Hawaii. Verify the specifics with the Hawaii licensing board.
Does Hawaii require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
Hawaii 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 Hawaii? ▼
To stay licensed as a school counselor in Hawaii, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $165.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

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

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