How to Become a Guidance Counselor in Virginia
School guidance counselors for grades K-12 in the state of Virginia must hold a Virginia license before beginning their jobs. For people who have never held a school counselor license in any state, there are education and experience requirements that must be satisfied before applying for a Virginia school counselor license. People who hold an out-of-state license only need to submit an application in Virginia to get a Virginia license.
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Instructions
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Endorsement Requirements
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Earn a master's degree in a counselor education program. The program must include 100 hours of clinical experience in grades K-6 and another 100 hours of clinical experience in grades 7-12.
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Alternately, earn a master's degree in any subject along with a certification from a counselor education program.
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Work for two years either as a teacher or in guidance and counseling. Working under a provisional license is acceptable to meet this requirement.
Apply for Virginia License
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Print and fill out the application for a Virginia license, available at the website of the Virginia Department of Education.
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Include the requested forms to certify that you have completed the educational and experience requirements for Virginia certification as a guidance counselor. Your official college or university transcripts are required as part of this process.
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Photocopy your current out-of-state guidance counselor license if you have one and include this with your Virginia application.
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Complete Virginia's required online training course titled "Child Abuse Recognition and Intervention" and submit the certificate of completion with your application.
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Mail all parts of the application, along with an application fee of $50 for Virginia residents or $75 for residents of any other state, to the Virginia Department of Education address included on the application.
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