School Counseling Programs and Licensure (R4703)

In September 2025, PELSB adopted rules governing school counseling programs and licensure.

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About
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Rulemaking Record

About This Project

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) has adopted rules changing how it approves Minnesota-based school counseling programs. Specifically, PELSB is requiring these programs to hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) rather than require these programs to obtain state approval through PELSB by meeting state-specific standards.

The adopted rules also will allow providers to enroll candidates in a subset of their program, which allows the providers to offer a program either leading to a master's degree or to licensure (for candidates who already hold a master's degree in counseling or a related area).

Finally, the adopted rules will allow two grade levels of flexibility for counseling licenses, so counselors with older licenses (grades K-6 or 7-12, instead of the current K-12) will be able to change grade levels in counseling as needed (e.g. if their school district changes middle school grade levels).

Rulemaking Record

Drafts:
- Final rule draft (dated June 4, 2025)
- Rule draft (dated May 15, 2025)
- Rule draft (dated February 13, 2025)
- Rule draft (dated August 19, 2024)
- Revisor's Certificate of Approval (dated May 15, 2025)
Key Documents:
- Request for Comments (published in the State Register on September 30, 2024)
- Not applicable (a petition for rulemaking)
- The Statement of Need and Reasonableness (SONAR)
- The Dual Notice (as mailed on June 2, 2025)
- The Dual Notice (as published in the State Register on June 2, 2025)
- Not applicable (Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) authorization to omit rule published in the State Register)
- Certificate of delivery of Dual Notice to the Board's rulemaking list
- Certificate of accuracy of the Board's rulemaking list
- Comments received during the dual notice period
- ALJ Order Approving Rules (dated August 29, 2025)
- Court Administrative Hearings (CAH) rule record