GUIDANCE COUNSELOR

Description

Administer school guidance and counseling programs, which must be developmentally appropriate and designed to address the educational and career needs of all students. Guidance and counseling programs must deliver career, occupational, and educational information; student appraisal activities; placement services; and identification and referral of students in need of special services, including suicide prevention and psychiatric referrals. High school guidance programs must also provide for the delivery of career and college counseling.

Statute/Rules

NH RSA 186; Administrative Rules Chapter Ed 507.06 - 507.07

Regulatory Agency	BUREAU OF CREDENTIALING Division of Program Support New Hampshire Department of Education 101 Pleasant Street Concord, New Hampshire 03301-3860
phone	(603) 271-2408
fax	(603) 271-4134
web	www.ed.state.nh.us/education/doe/organization/programsupport/boc.htm
contact person	Dr. Judith D. Fillion, Division Director
e-mail	jfillion@ed.state.nh.us

Certification Requirements

• Submit application for certification and non-refundable application fee
• Alternative methods of qualification for certification:
  • Alternative 1
    Completion of a program of professional preparation in school guidance counseling
  • Alternative 2
    Completion of a comparable program outside of New Hampshire
  • Alternative 3
    Qualification based on Demonstrated Competencies and Equivalent Experiences, requiring both written examination and oral review
• Specific educational requirements by position as follows:
  
  
  • School Guidance Counselor
    • Have completed a State Board of Education approved school counseling collegiate program at the Master's degree level or higher; or
    • Have acquired the competencies, skills, and knowledge of a guidance counselor through:
      1. Completion of courses related to school counseling at the Master's degree level or higher and completion of a counseling internship in a school setting; or
      2. Experience in comparable positions in school guidance and counseling or other professions closely related to school guidance and counseling
         
         
  • Guidance and Counseling Director
    • Currently possess New Hampshire certification as a school guidance counselor
    • At least three years of successful paid and progressively responsible experience in the field of school guidance and counseling, with recent leadership experience

Examination

• Not required

Continuing Education

• Staff development activities totaling 75 clock hours (or alternative to clock hours) in the school district and/or school administrative unit staff development plan during the three-year certification period

Fees

Three-year certificate	$130.00
Three-year renewal	$130.00
Competency review, Alternative 3	$300.00
Late filing fee	$50.00

Reciprocity:  Permitted with over 41 states, in accordance with the Interstate Contract

Residence/Citizenship:  Neither New Hampshire residency nor US citizenship is required

Number of Active Licenses:  not provided

Standard Occupational Code (O*Net):  21-1012.00  Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors

Related Training:  Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services

Further Information*
American School Counselors Association
1101 King Street, Suite 625
Alexandria VA 22314
phone: (800) 306-4722
web: <www.schoolcounselor.org>

last revision: October 2007

*For reference only. This listing does not constitute an endorsement of any organization, and is subject to change.