School Counselor / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey School Counselor License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Provides academic and social-emotional counseling to students.

What the New Jersey data shows for School Counselors

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

The initial price tag is $207, and renewal costs $142 every 5 years. 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.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: State-specific reciprocity varies.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
32/100
School Counselor · New Jersey

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
$207
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$28/yr
$142 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 New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$207
Renewal Fee
$142
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 New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in New Jersey? ▼
In New Jersey, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $207 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in New Jersey? ▼
To become a licensed school counselor in New Jersey, you must meet the state's requirements and 1 year of work experience. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the New Jersey licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to New Jersey 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 New Jersey licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does New Jersey require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
Yes, New Jersey 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 New Jersey? ▼
To stay licensed as a school counselor in New Jersey, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $142.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

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

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