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.

(vi) Assess school counseling programs using assessment, statistics and research

methodology, follow-up evaluations, and measurement methods.

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(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 AACS.

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

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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:

(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.

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(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 AACS.

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.

(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.

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(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 AACS.

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.

(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 AACS.

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

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temporary school counselor license allows employment of the individual as a school

counselor in this state.

History: 2006 AACS; 2017 AACS; 2019 AACS; 2020 AACS.

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 AACS.

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 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

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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 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.

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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 AACS.

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

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 AACS.

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