If you are a Californian looking for an impactful career supporting student outcomes in educational settings, school counseling could be the perfect match for you.

Luckily, the requirements to be a school counselor in California are relatively straightforward: After completing required education programs, all you need to do is complete a supervised practicum with students and pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).¹

Want to learn more? In this guide, we are zooming in on how to become a school counselor in California to help you plan your training and career trajectory.

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What Does a School Counselor Do in California?

So what do school counselors do, exactly? They are critical staff in California schools. School counselors:²

• Support academic achievement – By helping students choose compatible courses and complete graduation requirements, school counselors play a role in students’ academic success.
• Support mental health – When students face challenges at home, in the classroom, or in their relationships, school counselors can help them learn and use coping strategies.
• Prepare students for the workforce – School counselors often play a role in college and career readiness. They help students find and participate in job training, higher education, or work opportunities that will benefit them after graduation.

Additionally, it's important to understand the difference between a guidance counselor vs. school counselor. While these roles may seem interchangeable, school counselors often focus more on the holistic development of students, including their mental health and career readiness, compared to the traditional focus of guidance counselors on academic planning.

Educational Requirements for Becoming a School Counselor in California

There are three key educational requirements to be a school counselor in California:³

• A bachelor’s degree
• A graduate degree
• A Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential

School Counseling Degree

Prospective school counselors should consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline. However, choosing the right graduate program is critical.

In California, students must enroll in graduate programs that will lead to the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential. While they will also receive a graduate degree, the credential is the most critical piece of the puzzle. Without one, prospective professionals will not be eligible for state licensure.

Additional Credentials and Certifications

There are three different types of PPS credentials:

• PPS in School Counseling
• PPS in School Psychology
• PPS in School Social Work

In order to become a school counselor in California, you must receive the PPS in School Counseling specifically.

While there are no other required certifications or credentials to be eligible for licensure in California, prospective school counselors can pursue additional certifications like:

• National Certified School Counselor⁴
• ASCA-Certified School Counselor⁵

Preparing for the PPS Credential Application

Applying for the PPS credential requires gathering essential documents and meeting state-specific deadlines:

• Graduate Program Verification - Ensure your graduate institution submits proof of credential eligibility to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
• CBEST Results - Submit your test scores as part of your application.
• Background Check and Fingerprinting - California requires a background check and fingerprinting as part of the application process. Complete this step early to avoid delays.

The Path to Licensure and Certification in California

Since becoming a school counselor requires a graduate degree, the educational requirements for school counseling in California could take between four and six years to complete. However, future school counselors will also need to gain supervised field experience and pass a licensure exam.

Completing the Required Clinical Experience

Either during or after their graduate program, prospective school counselors will need to complete 800 hours of supervised field experience.⁶ Why?

• On-the-job training – While a graduate degree program will teach prospective counselors the concepts they need for success, the only way to hone those skills is to work with real students. The field experience requirement gives prospects the opportunity to practice with and learn from a more experienced school counselor.
• Licensure preparation – Committing to supervised training also gives students an opportunity to prepare for California’s licensing exam.
• Networking – During their supervised fieldwork, future school counselors will work with students across age levels and in different kinds of educational settings. This will give them an opportunity to find their niche and interact with professionals who could extend job offers after licensure.

Passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test

In most cases, any person entering a teaching role must demonstrate their mastery by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). There are a few important things to know about this exam:⁷

• The CBEST includes three seconds: reading, writing, and mathematics. Each section is scored separately.
• To pass, prospects must achieve at least 123 total points. This means they must score 41 points or higher in each section in order to pass.
• Licensure candidates can take all three of the CBEST sections as many times as they need to. However, they will be charged a registration fee each time.

Alternative Pathways: Online Programs for School Counseling

If you are looking to prepare for a career change while still working, you might need an alternative pathway to school counseling licensure in California.

Consider enrolling in an online school counseling program. At Alliant International University, we have designed multiple graduate-level, online degree programs in school counseling designed for working professionals and traditional students alike. Online programs offer flexible schedules without sacrificing quality instruction.

Plus, all of our degree programs include PPS credentialing. We are here to help you make positive impacts on students’ lives and meet licensing requirements with ease.

Start Your School Counseling Career at Alliant

If you are ready to support students’ mental health, academic performance, and career readiness in California, start your school counseling career on the right foot at Alliant International University.

In addition to multiple school counseling programs (including a standalone PPS credential, an MAE in school counseling, and an EdS in school counseling), we offer countless professional resources you can lean on throughout your journey to licensure.

Learn more about our school counseling programs now.

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Sources: 

1. “Become a School Counselor.” California Association of School Counselors. 2025. https://www.schoolcounselor-ca.org/become-school-counselor. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
2. “The Role of the School Counselor.” American School Counselor Association. 2023. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/ee8b2e1b-d021-4575-982c-c84402…. Accessed January 15, 2025. 
3. “Become a School Counselor.” California Association of School Counselors. 2025. https://www.schoolcounselor-ca.org/become-school-counselor. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
4. “The National Certified School Counselor.” National Board for Certified Counselors. 2025. https://nbcc.org/certification/ncsc. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
5. “ASCA-Certified School Counselor.” American School Counselor Association. 2025. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Recognition/Certification. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
6. “The California Standards for the School Counseling Profession.” California Association of School Counselors. 2023. https://www.schoolcounselor-ca.org/files/CASC%20Standards%202023%20FINA…. Accessed January 17, 2025. 
7. “Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667).” California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. October 15, 2024. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/basic-skills-requirement-(cl-667). Accessed January 17, 2025.