School Counselor / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois School Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Provides academic and social-emotional counseling to students.

What the Illinois data shows for School Counselors

Becoming a licensed school counselor in Illinois 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. Illinois regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in School Counseling".

Budget $279 to get started, plus $187 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.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
28/100
School Counselor · Illinois

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
$279
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B-
$37/yr
$187 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 Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$279
Renewal Fee
$187
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 Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in Illinois? ▼
In Illinois, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $279 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in Illinois? ▼
Certification as a school counselor in Illinois means clearing the state's checklist plus 1 year of work experience, and a passing exam score. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to Illinois 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 Illinois licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Illinois require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
Yes, Illinois requires a criminal background check as part of the school counselor licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for School Counselor in Illinois? ▼
Licensed school counselors in Illinois must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $187.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

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

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