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

New York 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 New York data shows for School Counselors

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

Upfront cost is $191, with renewal running $132 on a 5-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 150-hour continuing-education requirement per 5-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

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

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
34/100
School Counselor · New York

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
$191
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$26/yr
$132 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 York

Education / Training Hours
Masters Degree in School Counseling
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$191
Renewal Fee
$132
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 York licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New York licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Counselor in New York? ▼
In New York, the license path calls for, a passing score on State School Counselor Exam (Praxis or equivalent), and a $191 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a School Counselor in New York? ▼
New York licenses school counselors who complete its requirements (1 year of experience) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the New York licensing board.
Can I transfer my School Counselor license to New York from another state? ▼
School Counselor licenses generally reciprocate as follows: State-specific reciprocity varies. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New York licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New York require a background check for School Counselor licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for school counselor licensing in New York. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for School Counselor in New York? ▼
To stay licensed as a school counselor in New York, plan on 150 hours of continuing education per 5-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $132.

Related Guides

What to do with this school counselor license

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

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

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