ASCA-Certified School Counselor

The ASCA-Certified School Counselor (ACSC) certification demonstrates school counselor knowledge in designing, implementing and assessing a school counseling program. School counselors who hold the ACSC demonstrate their commitment to the highest levels of professionalism, ethical practice and continuing professional development in their school counseling practice. Additional benefits include:

• National recognition and verification of graduate preparation, knowledge and skills
• Demonstrated professional excellence and credibility 
• Proof for your administrators, school board and the community at large that you're committed to delivering a data-informed school counseling program. 
• Increased job flexibility and mobility 
• Communication sent to your school’s principal and superintendent informing them of your accomplishment 
• Recognition at the ASCA Annual Conference, in ASCA School Counselor magazine and on the ASCA website
• Improved student outcomes 

ACSC Eligibility

To qualify for certification, school counselors must meet one of the three eligibility requirement pathways outlined to the right. (Note that Praxis refers to the Professional School Counselor Praxis Test.)

Apply for Certification

Deadlines
ACSC applications are accepted twice per year: Jan. 15 (awarded in May) and June 15 (awarded in September). Apply now.

Fees
Those who graduate from an ASCA SPA program:

• ASCA Member: $110
• ASCA Nonmember: $250

Those who graduate from a non-ASCA SPA program:

• ASCA Member: $260
• ASCA Nonmember: $400

Candidates will submit:

• Signed annual administrative conference template
• Annual calendar
• Use of time calculator (one week)
• One lesson plan with Mindsets & Behaviors pre/post-assessment
• Results report from classroom and group or closing the gap action plan with Mindsets & Behaviors and outcome results graph

Candidates are encouraged to review the following resources to prepare for certification: 

• Scoring rubric
• Candidate handbook 
• FAQs
• Sample portfolio

Become an ACSC Reviewer

Use your ASCA National Model knowledge and skills to further the profession, hone your own program and earn CEUs. If you’ve implemented the ASCA National Model, earned RAMP designation and/or have a strong process for collecting data, you may apply to serve as an ACSC reviewer (application coming soon). Reviewers are trained in the spring and fall of each year, beginning early 2021. 

ASCA Certification Committee
Co-Chairs
Jennifer Curry, Louisiana State University
Carolyn Stone, University of North Florida

Committee Members
Kristin Barnson, Clark County School District (Nev.)
Colette Dollarhide, The Ohio State University
Jenny Hubler, Henrico County Public Schools (Va.)
Mark Kuranz, Marquette University
Rob Lundien, Park Hill School District (Mo.)
Tammi Mackeben, Socorro Independent School District (Texas)
Cassie Martines, Lakeland Joint School District (Wash.)
Rene Yosel, Missouri Department of Education
Anita Young, Johns Hopkins University