DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION  
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION  
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS  
(By authority conferred on the superintendent of public instruction by sections 1233  
and 1531 of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233 and 380.1531)  
R 390.1301 Definitions.  
Rule 1. As used in these rules:  
(a) “Annual district provided professional development” means that term as defined  
in R 390.1101.  
(b) “Approved school counselor preparation program” means a state approved  
program in a college or university that has regional accreditation and that prepares school  
counselors in accordance with these rules.  
(c) “Department” means the Michigan department of education.  
(d) “Education-related professional learning hours” means an educational  
opportunity intended to improve a school counselor’s practice and capacity to perform  
the work within the profession of education, including time spent engaging with local  
employers or technical centers, that is 1 or more of the following:  
(i) Satisfactory college semester credit hours applicable to school counseling at a  
regionally accredited college or university, with 1 semester credit hour being equivalent  
to 25 education-related professional learning hours.  
(ii) State continuing education clock hours applicable to school counseling.  
(iii) Michigan annual district provided professional development hours applicable  
to school counseling.  
(e) “Michigan teaching certificate” means that term as defined in R 390.1101.  
(f) “Nonpublic school” means a private, denominational, or parochial school.  
(g) “Regionally accredited” means accredited by 1 of the regional accrediting  
agencies recognized and published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or  
its successor agency.  
(h) “Role of a school counselor” means the following roles in which school  
counselors serve and that, in Michigan, require a Michigan school counseling credential:  
(i) Provide individual and group counseling services to assist students.  
(ii) Collaborate with staff in planning educational interventions, curriculum,  
behavioral management plans, and teaching strategies.  
(iii) Consult and collaborate with students, families, school personnel, and  
appropriate professionals and agency personnel regarding behavioral and educational  
concerns.  
(iv) Provide guidance to students utilizing technology, career development theory,  
educational information, and occupational information.  
(v) Assess students by using assessment, statistics and research methodology,  
follow-up evaluations, and measurement methods.  
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(vi) Assess school counseling programs using assessment, statistics and research  
methodology, follow-up evaluations, and measurement methods.  
(vii) Design, implement, and evaluate guidance and counseling programs focusing  
on the career, academic, personal, social, emotional, and developmental needs of all  
students using, but not limited to, the following functions:  
(A) Advising.  
(B) Placement.  
(C) Planning.  
(D) Assessment.  
(E) Counseling.  
(F) Coordinating.  
(G) Instructing.  
(H) Referring.  
(I) Programming.  
(viii) Support and coordinate career development navigator programs to increase  
the number of college- and career-ready pupils, with an emphasis on increasing the  
number of citizens working in high-demand fields.  
(i) “Satisfactory college semester credit hours” means a grade of C or better or the  
equivalent.  
(j) “School counselor” means an individual who has successfully completed an  
approved school counselor preparation program and performs the role of a school  
counselor.  
(k) “School counselor credential” means 1 of the following:  
(i) School counselor endorsement on a valid Michigan teaching certificate.  
(ii) Preliminary school counselor credential issued under R 390.1304.  
(iii) Temporary school counselor license issued under R 390.1307.  
(iv) School counselor license issued under R 390.1305 or R 390.1306.  
(l) “School counselor educator” means an individual employed as a faculty member  
to teach in an approved school counselor preparation program.  
(m) “School counselor endorsement” means an endorsement issued under R  
390.1303 or R 390.1303a.  
(n) “School district” means that term as defined in R 390.1101.  
(o) “Sponsoring institution” means an institution of higher education approved for  
teacher or counselor preparation by the state board that makes recommendations for  
applicants under R 390.1101 to R 390.1216.  
(p) “State board” means the Michigan state board of education.  
(q) “State continuing education clock hours” means hours of professional  
development issued through a process established and approved by the superintendent of  
public instruction.  
(r) “Valid” means being within the time period of the credential.  
History: 1979 AC; 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct.  
15, 2020.  
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R 390.1302  
Individual required to hold school counselor credential;  
recommendation by sponsoring institution.  
Rule 2. (1) An individual employed in the role of a school counselor by a school  
district or nonpublic school shall hold a school counselor credential under these rules.  
(2) The sponsoring institution shall recommend an individual for a school counselor  
endorsement, preliminary employment authorization to work as a school counselor, or  
school counselor license at the appropriate grade level or levels for which the individual  
qualifies.  
History: 1979 AC; 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 390.1303 School counselor endorsement; applicant trained in Michigan  
approved school counselor preparation program.  
Rule 3. An applicant for a school counselor endorsement trained in a Michigan  
approved school counselor preparation program shall meet all of the following  
requirements:  
(a) Hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate.  
(b) Complete an approved school counselor preparation program that includes both  
of the following:  
(i) Not less than 30 semester credit hours in school counseling, including an  
internship, at the undergraduate or graduate level.  
(ii) Not less than a 600-clock-hour internship with students under the supervision  
of a credentialed school counselor or a school counselor educator in an approved school  
counselor preparation program. At least 300 of the 600 clock hours must be in a school  
setting.  
(c) Successfully complete the school counselor examination approved by the  
superintendent of public instruction.  
(d) Obtain the recommendation of an approved school counselor preparation  
program to provide services as a school counselor. Both of the following apply to the  
recommendation:  
(i) The approved school counselor preparation program shall make the  
recommendation in a manner designated by the department.  
(ii) The approved school counselor preparation program shall not make the  
recommendation until the applicant has completed the other requirements set forth in this  
rule.  
History: 1979 AC; 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 390.1303a School counselor endorsement; applicant trained in out-of-state  
school  
counselor preparation program.  
Rule 3a. (1) An applicant for a school counselor endorsement trained in an out-of-  
state school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state  
agency shall meet all of the following requirements:  
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(a) Hold a valid out-of-state teaching certificate with a school counselor  
endorsement.  
(b) Complete a school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate  
out-of-state agency that includes both of the following:  
(i) Not less than 30 semester credit hours in school counseling, including an  
internship, at the undergraduate or graduate level.  
(ii) Not less than a 600-clock-hour internship with students under the supervision  
of a credentialed school counselor or a school counselor educator in a school counselor  
preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency. At least 300 of the  
600 clock hours must be in a school setting.  
(c) Successfully complete the school counselor examination approved by the  
superintendent of public instruction. This subdivision does not apply to an individual  
who satisfies the requirements set forth in section 1531(6) of the revised school code,  
1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1531.  
(2) An applicant for a school counselor endorsement under this rule shall apply  
directly to the department.  
History: 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 390.1304 Preliminary school counselor credential.  
Rule 4. (1) A Michigan approved school counselor preparation program may  
recommend an applicant enrolled in the program who is seeking a school counselor  
endorsement or school counselor license for a 3-year nonrenewable preliminary school  
counselor credential upon completion of both of the following:  
(a) A minimum of 30 semester credit hours in school counseling in an approved  
school counselor preparation program.  
(b) Successful completion of the school counselor examination approved by the  
superintendent of public instruction.  
(2) A sponsoring institution shall recommend an applicant for a preliminary school  
counselor credential in a manner designated by the superintendent of public instruction.  
The recommendation shall identify appropriate grade levels for which the applicant  
qualifies.  
History: 1979 AC; 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct.  
15, 2020.  
R 390.1305 School counselor license; applicant trained in Michigan approved  
school counselor preparation program.  
Rule 5. (1) An applicant for a school counselor license trained in a Michigan  
approved school counselor preparation program shall meet all of the following  
requirements:  
(a) Completion of the requirements set forth in section 1233(2)(b)(i) of the revised  
school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233.  
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(b) Successful completion of the school counselor examination approved by the  
superintendent of public instruction.  
(c) Recommendation by an approved school counselor preparation program to  
provide services as a school counselor. The approved school counselor preparation  
program shall make the recommendation for the issuance of a school counselor license in  
a manner designated by the superintendent of public instruction.  
(d) Completion of not less than 30 graduate level semester credit hours in school  
counseling, including an internship. Online and distance learning credit earned at a  
sponsoring institution with an approved school counselor preparation program or a  
regionally accredited college or university may satisfy this requirement in whole or in  
part.  
(e) Completion of not less than a 600-clock-hour internship with students under the  
supervision of a school counselor educator in an approved school counselor preparation  
program. At least 300 of the 600 clock hours must be in a school setting.  
(2) The superintendent of public instruction may renew a school counselor license if  
the applicant has completed, since the issuance of the most recent school counselor  
license or renewal, any combination of education-related professional learning hours  
totaling 150 hours. The 150 education-related professional learning hours must include  
hours that satisfy the requirements of section 1233(6) to (8) of the revised school code,  
1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233.  
(3) Online and distance learning semester credit hours meet the requirements for  
renewal of a school counselor license if earned at a sponsoring institution with an  
approved school counselor preparation program or a regionally accredited college or  
university.  
History: 1979 AC; 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct.  
15, 2020.  
R 390.1306 School counselor license; applicant trained in out-of-state school  
counselor preparation program.  
Rule 6. (1) An applicant for a school counselor license trained in an out-of-state  
school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency  
shall meet all of the following requirements:  
(a) Apply directly to the department.  
(b) Pass the school counselor examination approved by the superintendent of  
public instruction.  
(c) Meet at least 1 of the following:  
(i) Hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in a  
school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency  
that includes the skills and content areas described in section 1233(2)(b)(i) of the revised  
school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1233.  
(ii) Satisfy all of the following:  
(A) Complete successful experience serving in the role of a school counselor as  
described in section 1233(2)(c)(i) of the revised school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL  
380.1233.  
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(B) Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in a  
school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-of-state agency.  
(C) Provide written documentation of the out-of-state credential and the approval  
document required by that state to serve in the role of a school counselor.  
(2) Renewal of a school counselor license issued under this rule is subject to the  
requirements set forth in R 390.1305(2) and (3).  
History: 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct. 15, 2020.  
R 390.1307 Temporary school counselor license; applicant trained in out-of-  
state school counselor preparation program.  
Rule 7. The superintendent of public instruction may issue a 1-year nonrenewable  
temporary school counselor license to an applicant for a school counselor license trained  
in an out-of-state school counselor preparation program approved by the appropriate out-  
of-state agency who satisfies all requirements except successful completion of the school  
counselor examination approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The  
temporary school counselor license allows employment of the individual as a school  
counselor in this state.  
History: 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct. 15, 2020.  
R 390.1308 School counselor credential restrictions and expiration dates.  
Rule 8. (1) School counselor credentials issued under these rules have certain  
restrictions as to the nature of teaching or serving as a school counselor for which school  
districts or nonpublic schools may employ the holders of the credentials. Applicants,  
credential holders, and employers shall be familiar with the specific provisions regarding  
school counselor credentials.  
(2) Subject to subrule (4) of this rule, a certificate, license, or renewal issued under  
these rules expires 5 years from June 30 of the calendar year of issuance.  
(3) A preliminary school counselor credential issued under R 390.1304 expires 3  
years from the date of issuance.  
(4) A temporary school counselor license issued under R 390.1307 expires 1 year  
from the date of issuance.  
History: 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct. 15, 2020.  
R 390.1309 Initial program approval.  
Rule 9. (1) The state board shall approve standards for reviewing school counselor  
preparation programs.  
(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall approve school counselor  
preparation programs in accordance with the state board approved standards.  
(3) Continued approval of a school counselor preparation program by the  
superintendent of public instruction requires national accreditation of the preparation  
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program provider by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of  
Education or a recommendation for approval to the superintendent of public instruction  
from a state review process.  
History: 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 390.1310 Denial, suspension, or revocation of school counselor credential.  
Rule 10. (1) The superintendent of public instruction may refuse to grant, refuse to  
renew, suspend, revoke, or impose reasonable conditions on a school counselor credential  
for the following reasons:  
(a) Fraud, material misrepresentation, or concealment or omission of fact in the  
application for or the use of a school counselor credential.  
(b) Conviction of a crime described in section 1539b of the revised school code,  
1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1539b.  
(2) The superintendent of public instruction may refuse to grant or refuse to renew a  
school counselor credential for failure of the applicant to meet the requirements for the  
school counselor credential. After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, which the  
holder shall request within 15 business days after receipt of the notice, the superintendent  
of public instruction may rescind, suspend, or revoke a school counselor credential for  
failure of the holder to meet the requirements for the credential. If the holder does not  
timely request a hearing, the superintendent of public instruction shall rescind, suspend,  
or revoke the school counselor credential.  
History: 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS.  
R 390.1311 Investigation.  
Rule 11. The superintendent of public instruction shall designate an employee of the  
department to perform the investigatory and prosecutorial functions regarding cases  
pertaining to school counselor credentials. Upon receipt of information that may serve as  
the basis for a refusal to grant, refusal to renew, suspension of, or revocation of a school  
counselor credential, the designee of the superintendent of public instruction shall initiate  
an investigation of that information.  
History: 2017 AACS.  
R 390.1312 Notice of basis for action; notice of right to hearing; informal  
conference to show compliance; referral for hearing.  
Rule 12. Subject to summary suspension under section 1539b(2) of the revised  
school code, 1976 PA 451, MCL 380.1539b, all of the following apply to action taken  
under R 390.1310(1)(a) or (b):  
(a) Not more than 7 calendar days after receiving notice that the criminal history of  
the applicant for or the holder of a school counselor credential includes conviction of a  
crime described in section 1539b of the revised school code 1976 PA 451, MCL  
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380.1539b, the department shall request from the court a certified copy of the judgment  
of conviction and sentence or other document regarding disposition of the case.  
(b) Upon receipt of notice of a basis for action under R 390.1310(1)(a), or not later  
than 10 business days after receiving documentation of a conviction under subdivision (a)  
of this rule, the department shall notify the applicant for or the holder of the school  
counselor credential in writing of all of the following:  
(i) Because of the conviction or because of the identified reason under R  
390.1310(1)(a), the superintendent of public instruction may deny, suspend, or revoke the  
school counselor credential.  
(ii) The applicant or the holder has the right to a hearing.  
(iii) If the applicant or the holder does not request a hearing within 15 business  
days after receipt of notice of the right to a hearing, the superintendent of public  
instruction will deny or suspend the school counselor credential.  
(iv) If the applicant or the holder requests a hearing within 15 business days after  
receipt of the notice, there will be an informal conference to show compliance.  
(c) The notice under subdivision (b) of this rule must include a copy of applicable  
statutes and rules.  
(d) Not later than 15 business days after receipt of the notice under subdivision (b)  
of this rule, the applicant for or the holder of a school counselor credential shall request a  
hearing. If the applicant or the holder does not timely request a hearing, the  
superintendent of public instruction shall deny the initial or renewed school counselor  
credential or shall suspend the school counselor credential.  
(e) If the applicant for or the holder of a school counselor credential timely requests  
a hearing under subdivision (d) of this rule, the department shall immediately notify the  
applicant or the holder of the date and time of an informal conference to show  
compliance. Unless otherwise agreed, the informal conference to show compliance is a  
telephone conference with an authorized representative of the superintendent of public  
instruction.  
(f) After the informal conference to show compliance and consideration of the  
evidence presented, the superintendent's designee may recommend referral of the matter  
to the Michigan office of administrative hearings and rules for hearing or may  
recommend a finding of compliance or a written settlement of the matter. The  
superintendent of public instruction shall approve, modify, or deny a recommended  
finding of compliance or written settlement.  
(g) If there is no finding of compliance or written settlement of the matter following  
the informal conference to show compliance, the department shall refer the case to the  
Michigan office of administrative hearings and rules for hearing.  
History: 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct. 15, 2020.  
R 390.1313 Action by superintendent of public instruction on proposal for  
decision.  
Rule 13. (1) The superintendent of public instruction may adopt, modify, or reverse  
a proposal for decision of the Michigan office of administrative hearings and rules or may  
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remand a case to the Michigan office of administrative hearings and rules for further  
proceedings.  
(2) A party shall not directly or indirectly communicate with the superintendent of  
public instruction or individuals involved in the review of a proposal for decision  
regarding issues of fact or law except on notice and opportunity for all parties to  
participate, unless provided by law.  
History: 2017 AACS; 2020 MR 19, Eff. Oct. 15, 2020.  
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;