New York State School Counselor Certification

Students enrolled in the Counselor Education program have the following types of certificates available to them if and when they qualify: Initial and Professional, Internship (optional), Initial and Professional Bilingual Extension.

School Counselors must be certified to practice in the state in which they work. In New York State, all certificates have specific requirements. Lehman College is required by the state to verify specific requirements before college recommendations (online verification) can be submitted. After a college recommendation is submitted, the state has final review before approving and issuing the certificate a candidate applies for. 

New York State TEACH Online Service Account
Everyone must have a TEACH Online Service Account to begin and maintain their certification. A TEACH Online Service Account is a permanent account all students must create. The candidate must periodically update their educational background, personal information, work experience (after certification), apply/pay for any certificates, etc. It is everything pertaining to state certification. Candidates must also have their fingerprint clearance on file in this account.

Initial Certification
The initial certificate is the base entry level certification all students must first obtain after graduation. After issuance, it is valid for five years. Students who include the Bilingual Extension in their program will apply for the initial Bilingual extension along with the initial certification in School Counselor.

Students must have 60 credits including semesters of Practicum and Internship I, II by the time they graduate. Students should also have the following three mandated workshops completed:

• Child Abuse Identification & Reporting (Mandated Reporter)- updated version  
• DASA: Anti-Bullying & Discrimination Training
• School Violence Prevention (SAVE)

At the end of their last semester, students may set up their paid application for the initial School Counselor certificate through their state TEACH Online account by following these instructions: https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/apply.html
When prompted for a program code use: 41528 [Approved Teacher Preparation Program Pathway]. *There will be a separate program code for the Bilingual Extension, however at this time it is still not available from the New York State Education Dept. We will update as soon one is available.

After students receive their official graduation approval from the Registrar, they should email the Lehman Certification Office at :teacher.certification@lehman.cuny.edu. The Certification Office will then review their qualifications before a college recommendation can be submitted to the state. 

After the state receives the college recommendation submission they will then conduct their own review. They will check for fingerprint clearance (must have on TEACH account) and the CST: School Counselor exam (#193).

Internship Certification
The internship certificate is a optional temporary certificate for students actively enrolled in the Counseling Education program. It is available after completion of 30 credits, including practicum. It is only available before graduation. It is valid for two years.

Mandatory Requirements to submit to Lehman Certification Office (teacher.certification@lehman.cuny.edu):

• Complete 50% of coursework (30 credits) including practicum.
• Submit proof of securing a School Counselor position with a letter from the school principal identifying the title of the position and location.
• Submit the program advisor approval form. 
• Complete 3 mandated workshops:
  • Child Abuse Identification & Reporting (Mandated Reporter)- updated version
  • School Violence Prevention (SAVE)
  • DASA: Anti-Bullying & Discrimination Training
• Must have fingerprint clearance on your TEACH Online Service Account

After all documents are submitted to the Lehman Certification Office, they will review and supply instructions to apply for the Internship certificate on the TEACH Online Services Account. 

Bilingual Initial Certification
Students who want to add the Bilingual Extension to their Counselor Ed. program, should file the appropriate form with their advisor and Graduate Studies Office so that the appropriate bilingual education courses can be taken in the summer of their third year. These students must pass the BEA exam (in their preferred language). They should visit the Pearson Certification Exams website to more information. After graduation, students should contact the Lehman Certification Office at teacher.certifcation@lehman.cuny.edu to request the submission for the initial Bilingual Certificate AND the initial School Counseling Certificate. Extensions can only be issued by the state after all requirements are completed and after a base certificate is issued like the initial or professional certification.  

Professional Certification
The professional certificate is the highest level of certification. School Counselors who have accumulated three years of full-time work experience under a valid certificate (Internship, Initial) may apply for this certificate. The state will have additional requirements for the professional like Mentored Experience from the school of employment. There is no expiration date but the state will require professional development intermittently to maintain this certification. Students may apply for the professional when they are ready using the program code: 41528. School Counselors may contact the Lehman Certification Office at teacher.certification@lehman.cuny.edu to ensure a college recommendation has been submitted for the professional certification. 

Bilingual Professional Certification
After obtaining the professional certification in School Counselor certification and if the initial Bilingual extension was held, School Counselors may apply for the professional Bilingual extension with the program code when it becomes available. Again, at this time there is no code available yet and we will update soon.  As long as the candidate maintains their professional certificate in School Counselor in good standing with the required professional development hours, the professional extension will remain issued as well.

National Counselor Certification

Counselor Education/School Counseling candidates can pursue National Counselor Certification (NCC) (and after earning the NCC earn the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) credential) through the National Board of Certified Counselors. Get more information at: www.nbcc.com

To apply to become a National Certified Counselor, you must document successful completion of a qualifying master’s degree and experience, and obtain a passing score on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination NCMHCE). You can show your commitment and expertise in the area of school counseling with the National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). To apply for the NCSC, you must be certified as an NCC.