Certification: School Counselor

An educator with a School Counselor Education Specialist Certificate is eligible to be a school counselor in an education setting from early childhood through grade twelve.

South Dakota Codified Law 13-10-17:
School Counselors. If a school district employs a school counselor, on either a full-time or part-time basis, or contracts for the services of a school counselor through an educational cooperative of other entity, that school counselor shall be certified in accordance with the standards established by the South Dakota of Education pursuant to 13-1-12.1.

As of July 1, 2017, there are two ways to obtain a School Counselor Education Specialist Endorsement (24:28:27:02):

1. Complete a preschool - grade 12 school counselor preparation program according to 24:53:09:01
   OR
2. Those with a master's degree or higher in counseling:
   • Pass the 5421 Professional School Counselor state-designated text with a score of 164 or higher (accepted through August 31, 2023) or 5422 School Counselor state-designated test with a score of 159 or higher AND
   • Complete one year of supervision by a mentor school counselor who meets the requirements of 24:28:27:07.

View the School Counselor Education Specialist Endorsement fact sheet.

Visit the Educator Certification webpage for information on certificate applications.