School Counselor / North Dakota
2026 data North Dakota board official source

North Dakota School Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

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Provides academic and social-emotional counseling to students.

What the North Dakota data shows for School Counselors

North Dakota'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. North Dakota folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Masters Degree in School Counseling".

Upfront cost is $64, with renewal running $53 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

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
School Counselor · North Dakota

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 A-
$64
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A+
$11/yr
$53 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 North Dakota

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$64
Renewal Fee
$53
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 North Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with North Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in North Dakota? ▼
North Dakota requires, passing an exam (State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $64. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in North Dakota? ▼
To become a licensed school counselor in North Dakota, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the North Dakota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to North Dakota from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for school counselors: State-specific reciprocity varies. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the North Dakota licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does North Dakota require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
North Dakota 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 North Dakota? ▼
Licensed school counselors in North Dakota must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $53.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

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

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