School Counselor / Missouri
2026 data Missouri board official source

Missouri 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 Missouri data shows for School Counselors

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

Upfront cost is $125, with renewal running $91 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

D
Licensing Ease Score
41/100
School Counselor · Missouri

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
$125
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$18/yr
$91 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 Missouri

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$125
Renewal Fee
$91
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 Missouri licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Missouri licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in Missouri? ▼
Missouri requires, passing an exam (State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $125. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in Missouri? ▼
To become a licensed school counselor in Missouri, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Missouri licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to Missouri 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 Missouri. Verify the specifics with the Missouri licensing board.
Does Missouri require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for school counselor licensing in Missouri. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for School Counselor in Missouri? ▼
Licensed school counselors in Missouri must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $91.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

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

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