Guide addresses minimum certification or degree requirements for school counselors.

Applicants may meet this requirement by meeting requirements of Subsections A or B or C of 6.63.6.8 NMAC:

A. national certified school counselor credential issued by the national board for certified counselors;

B. licensed professional mental health counselor (LPC) or licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (LPCC) credential issued by the New Mexico counseling and therapy practice board and a minimum of six (6) semester hours of graduate credit in school counseling coursework;

C. master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university; the master's degree requirement shall be satisfied by meeting the requirements of Paragraphs (1) and (2) of Subsection C of 6.63.6.8 NMAC:

• (1) master's degree in school counseling from a regionally accredited college or university and meeting the applicable program requirements as follows:
• (a) A master's degree awarded by a New Mexico college or university must incorporate the New Mexico PED approved competencies in the area of school counseling.
• (b) A master's degree awarded by a college or university outside of New Mexico must be for a school counseling program approved by the PED.
• (2) master's degree in a discipline other than school counseling and 36-42 graduate hours in school counseling, (which may be completed as a part of the master's degree program or in addition to the master's) meeting the applicable program requirements as follows:
• (a) The 36-42 graduate hours awarded by a New Mexico college or university must incorporate the PED approved competencies in the area of school counseling and include a 300 hour practicum or internship in a school setting.
• (b) The 36-42 graduate hours awarded by a college or university outside of New Mexico must be for a school counseling program approved by the PED and include a practicum in a school setting.

D. a candidate who applies for licensure as a school counselor on or after the September, 2007 administration of the PED's specialty area licensure examinations shall take and pass the content knowledge assessment for school counselor as stated in 6.60.5.8 NMAC, prior to the issuance of the license.