DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Filed with the secretary of state on October 8, 2020

These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless

adopted under section 33, 44, or 45a(6) of the administrative procedures act of 1969,

1969 PA 306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections

become effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.

(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, R 390.1304, R 390.1305, R 390.1306, R 390.1307, R 390.1308, R 390.1312,

and R 390.1313 of the Michigan Administrative Code are amended, as follows:

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.

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(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.

(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.

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(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.

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.

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.

(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.

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(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.

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).

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.

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.

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(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.

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. 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

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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.

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.