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Board approves recommended changes to school counseling licensure rule, including CACREP accreditation requirement
Summary
The board approved subcommittee recommendations to amend rule 4703 to require CACREP accreditation for Minnesota school counseling programs, permit school counselors to serve pre-kindergarten, expand formal license pathways and clarify criteria for related-degree applicants.
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board voted on Feb. 21, 2025 to adopt the rulemaking subcommittee's recommended changes to rule 4703 governing school counseling licensure.
A representative identified as Mister Roland presented the proposed amendments. The changes accepted by the board include a requirement that Minnesota school counseling programs obtain accreditation from CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), permission for school counselors to serve pre-kindergarten students, formal pathways to expand the scope of a school counselor license by two years, and provisions to allow candidates with a master’s degree in a related area to become school counselors after specified coursework and clinical experience.
The subcommittee and board discussed how to define "related area" and how to evaluate out-of-state or online programs, recommending that equivalence be judged by clinical preparation and experience comparable to the KCREP practicum. The board's action will move the recommended changes forward to the Office of Administrative Hearings for the next steps in rulemaking.
Board action and procedure A motion to adopt the subcommittee's recommended changes was made and seconded. The board conducted a roll call and the chair announced that the motion passed. The board record lists the motion as approved and staff indicated the recommended wording and definitions will be forwarded to the Office of Administrative Hearings.
What this means If adopted through the rulemaking process, requiring CACREP accreditation would align Minnesota school counseling program approval with a nationally recognized accreditation standard. The rule also clarifies pathways for practitioners from related counseling fields to transition into school counseling given equivalent clinical experience and coursework.
