Rule 2. (1) An individual employed in the role of a school counselor by a school district or nonpublic school shall hold a school counselor credential under these rules. (2) The sponsoring institution shall recommend an individual for a school counselor endorsement, preliminary employment authorization to work as a school counselor, or school counselor license at the appropriate grade level or levels for which the individual qualifies.

Rule 3. An applicant for a school counselor endorsement trained in a Michigan approved school counselor preparation program shall meet all of the following requirements: (a) Hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate. (b) Complete an approved school counselor preparation program that includes both of the following: (i) Not less than 30 semester credit hours in school counseling, including an internship, at the undergraduate or graduate level. (ii) Not less than a 600-clock-hour internship with students under the supervision of a credentialed school counselor or a school counselor educator in an approved school counselor preparation program. At least 300 of the 600 clock hours must be in a school setting. (c) Successfully complete the school counselor examination approved by the superintendent of public instruction. (d) Obtain the recommendation of an approved school counselor preparation program to provide services as a school counselor. Both of the following apply to the recommendation: (i) The approved school counselor preparation program shall make the recommendation in a manner designated by the department. (ii) The approved school counselor preparation program shall not make the recommendation until the applicant has completed the other requirements set forth in this rule.

Rule 3a. (1) An applicant for a school counselor endorsement trained in an out-of-state school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency shall meet all of the following requirements: (a) Hold a valid out-of-state teaching certificate with a school counselor endorsement. (b) Complete a school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency that includes both of the following: (i) Not less than 30 semester credit hours in school counseling, including an internship, at the undergraduate or graduate level. (ii) Not less than a 600-clock-hour internship with students under the supervision of a credentialed school counselor or a school counselor educator in a school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency. At least 300 of the 600 clock hours must be in a school setting. (c) Successfully complete the school counselor examination approved by the superintendent of public instruction. This subdivision does not apply to an individual who satisfies the requirements set forth in section 1531(6) of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1531. (2) An applicant for a school counselor endorsement under this rule shall apply directly to the department.

Rule 4. (1) A Michigan approved school counselor preparation program may recommend an applicant enrolled in the program who is seeking a school counselor endorsement or school counselor license for a preliminary employment authorization to work as a school counselor upon completion of both of the following: (a) A minimum of 30 semester credit hours in school counseling in an approved school counselor preparation program. (b) Successful completion of the school counselor examination approved by the superintendent of public instruction. (2) A preliminary employment authorization to work as a school counselor is valid for 3 years and is nonrenewable. (3) A sponsoring institution shall recommend an applicant for a preliminary employment authorization to work as a school counselor in a manner designated by the superintendent of public instruction. The recommendation shall identify appropriate grade levels for which the applicant qualifies.

Rule 5. (1) An applicant for a school counselor license who was trained in a Michigan approved school counselor preparation program shall meet all of the following requirements:

• (a) Completion of the requirements set forth in section 1233(2)(b)(i) of 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233(2)(b)(i).

• (b) Successful completion of the department's school counselor examination.

• (c) Recommendation or approval by an approved school counselor preparation program to provide services as a school counselor. The recommendation or approval for the issuance of a school counselor license shall be made in a manner designated by the department.

• (d) Completion of not less than 30 graduate level semester credit hours in school counseling, including an internship. Correspondence credit shall not be used to satisfy this requirement. Online and distance learning credit may be used to satisfy this requirement if it is earned at a sponsoring institution with an approved school counselor preparation program.

• (e) Completion of not less than a 600-clock-hour internship with students under the supervision of a school counselor educator in an approved school counselor preparation program. At least 300 of the 600 clock hours must be in a school setting.

(2) A school counselor license expires 5 years from June 30 of the calendar year the certificate is issued.

(3) A school counselor license shall be renewed for 5 years upon application in the manner designated by the department and completion, since the issuance of the most recent school counselor license or renewal, of any combination of education-related professional learning hours, as defined in R 390.1301, totaling 150 hours.

(4) Correspondence credit does not meet the requirements for renewal of a school counselor license.

(5) Online and distance learning semester credit hours shall meet the requirements for renewal of a school counselor license if earned at a sponsoring institution with an approved school counselor preparation program or a regionally accredited college or university.

(6) An individual who holds an expired Michigan school counselor license and a valid out-of-state school counselor license and who has been employed within the validity of either license for at least 1 year in the immediately preceding 5-year period is eligible for one 5-year renewal of the Michigan school counselor license. The requirements of subrule (3) of this rule do not apply to a 1-time renewal under this subrule.

Rule 6. (1) An applicant for a school counselor license trained in an out-of-state school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency shall meet all of the following requirements: (a) Apply directly to the department. (b) Pass the school counselor examination approved by the superintendent of public instruction. (c) Meet at least 1 of the following: (i) Hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in a school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency that includes the skills and content areas described in section 1233(2)(b)(i) of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233. (ii) Satisfy all of the following: (A) Complete successful experience serving in the role of a school counselor as described in section 1233(2)(c)(i) of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233. (B) Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in a school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency. (C) Provide written documentation of the out-of-state credential and the approval document required by that state to serve in the role of a school counselor. (2) Renewal of a school counselor license issued under this rule is subject to the requirements set forth in R 390.1305(2) and (3).

(1) Except as otherwise provided by law, and subject to sections 1233b and 1233c, the board of a school district or intermediate school district shall not permit a teacher who does not hold a valid teaching certificate to teach in a grade or department of the school. (2) The board of a school district or intermediate school district shall not allow an individual to serve in a counseling role in the school district or intermediate school district, as the role is defined by the superintendent of public instruction, unless the individual meets 1 or more of the following: (a) The individual holds a valid teaching certificate with a school counseling endorsement. (b) The individual meets all of the following: (i) Holds a master’s degree awarded after completion of an approved school counselor education program that includes at least all of the following skills and content areas or their equivalent: (A) Guidance services—philosophy, principles, and practices. (B) Individual and group analysis—nature and range of human characteristics and appraisal methods. (C) Guidance information—vocational development theory, educational and occupational information. (D) Counseling theory and practice—individual and group procedures, administration and coordination relationships, professional relationships, and ethics. (E) Supervised experiences—laboratory, practicum, or internship. (F) Evaluation—statistics and research methodology, follow-up evaluation, and measurement methods. (ii) Has successfully completed the department’s guidance counselor examination. (iii) Has been recommended by an approved school counselor education program to provide services as a school counselor. (c) The individual meets both of the following: (i) Has at least 5 years of successful experience serving in a school counseling role in another state within the immediately preceding 7-year period. (ii) Has successfully completed the department’s guidance counselor examination. ... (6) Beginning February 6, 2020, the department shall not renew an individual’s school counselor credential unless the department determines that, within the time period since the individual’s school counselor credential was issued or last renewed, whichever is most recent, the individual has completed at least 25 hours of professional development approved by the department under subsection (8) covering counseling about the college preparation and selection process and at least 25 hours of professional development approved by the department under subsection (8) covering career counseling. For the purposes of this subsection, career counseling includes, but is not limited to, exploration of military career options and the skilled trades as well as other careers and pathways that lead to industry credentials awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an occupation. The hours of professional development required under this subsection covering career counseling must include at least 5 hours covering military career options. The hours of professional development required under this subsection are a part of and not in addition to professional development requirements under department rule.

Document addresses minimum certification or degree requirements for school counselors.

Document addresses professional Standard and certification for school counselors.