A Guide to State Laws and Regulations on Professional School Counseling, 2002.

Professional school counselors are required by law and/or regulation in every state to obtain a state-issued credential in order to be employed in public schools. In some states, this credential is called "certification"; others term it "licensure" or "endorsement." This guide provides a chart summarizing the requirements and qualifications needed to obtain school counseling credentials in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The requirements outlined for each state are those necessary to obtain an initial entry-level credential as a professional school counselor. This chart provides information on educational, experience, and examination requirements, reciprocity, and background checks. An additional chart shows which states mandate counseling, at which grade level (K-8 or 9-12) it is mandated, the counselor to student ratio, the source of the mandate, who funds the mandate, and whether or not a mandate is being considered. Examples of state counseling mandates from Georgia, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and South Carolina are provided. Statements from the American School Counselor Association explaining the role of school counselors and comprehensive school counseling programs are also included. (GCP)