Requirements for a Utah Professional Educator License
To earn your Professional Educator License, you must complete two sets of requirements: the general foundational requirements listed below, and the specific requirements for your license area (such as Secondary Education or School Leadership) found on the tabs .
Core Requirements for All Applicants
No matter which licensing pathway or subject area you choose, you must meet these four foundational requirements:
- Educator ID (USIMS Account): You must have an educator identification number, CACTUS ID. Your CACTUS ID is assigned to you when you create an account in the Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS).
- Cleared Background Check: You must have a current, cleared fingerprint background check on file with the Utah State Board of Education (USBE).
- Educator Ethics Review: You must complete the online Utah Educator Ethics Review within one year of your application date. (Exception: This is waived if you currently hold an active, valid Utah educator license).
- Degree Requirement: You must have a bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university.
Exceptions: Certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) licenses and alternative preparation pathways allow you to substitute relevant industry experience or certifications in place of a college degree.
This tab is under construction. Please check back for updates.
Complete tabs: School Counseling
Degree: CTE Skill Certificate.
Program: Recommendation from a Utah Board-approved university program, an APPEL program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) in CTE from another state.
Competencies: Must meet professional requirements for at least one endorsement.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for an APPEL program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, an APPEL program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) in Deaf Education from another state.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for an APPEL program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, an APPEL program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Competencies: Pass the Praxis 5025 Early Childhood exam or specific subtests of the Praxis 5001 Elementary Education exam. You also need to pass the Pearson’s Foundations of Reading assessment or complete an alternative demonstration of literacy competencies.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for an APPEL program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, an APPEL program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Competencies: Pass specific subtests of the Praxis 5001 Elementary Education exam. You also need to pass the Pearson’s Foundations of Reading assessment or complete an alternative demonstration of literacy competencies.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for an APPEL program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, an APPEL program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for an APPEL program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, an APPEL program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Competencies: Must meet professional requirements for at least one endorsement.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for an APPEL program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, the APPEL-SpEd program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Competencies: Must meet professional requirements for at least one endorsement.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, SM Apply for the APPEL-SpEd program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
| Pathway | Application |
|---|---|
| Utah University Special Ed Program | University Recommendation |
| APPEL-SpEd | Data 2 |
| Out of State License | LER Application |
This tab is under construction. Please check back.
School Counselor Licensing
School counselors help students succeed in school, navigate personal growth, and plan for college and careers.
To get a Professional Educator License (PEL) (Utah's full, renewable license) in School Counseling, you must earn a master's degree in school counseling and meet Utah's license rules. This includes completing the College and Career Readiness (CCR) endorsement (training that helps you guide students toward college and career goals).
Choose Your Pathway
Your requirements depend on where you went to school and if you already hold a license. Select the pathway below that applies to you:
- Pathway 1: Associate Educator License (AEL) – You have a bachelor's degree and want to work as a school counselor while completing a School Counseling preparation program.
- Pathway 2: Utah-Based Preparation Program – You graduated from an approved Utah university program.
- Pathway 3: Out-of-State Preparation Program – You finished an out-of-state or online program.
- Pathway 4: The CCR Endorsement – For those hold a School Counselor license granted prior to 2021 and who do not have a professional CCR endorsement.
Important: Utah does not offer an alternate license pathway for individuals with degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or similar non-school counseling fields.
Pathway 1: Associate Educator License (AEL)
An Associate Educator License (AEL) (a temporary 3-year license that lets you work while finishing your full requirements) is for applicants who hold at least a bachelor's degree and want to become a Utah school counselor.
When you receive an AEL, you will get an associate license in School Counseling and an associate CCR endorsement (a temporary add-on showing you are working toward full CCR training). This license is valid for three years and cannot be renewed.
How to Qualify: You can qualify for an AEL if you meet one of these criteria:
- Complete all Utah State Board of Education (USBE) School Counselor AEL requirements.
- Pass the School Counselor Praxis exam.
- Enroll in a master's-level school counseling program.
- Complete an out-of-state master's program in school counseling without holding a license in that state.
Note: To upgrade to a full professional license, you must enroll in and finish a master's-level school counseling program and meet all licensing steps. For detailed instructions, view the School Counselor AEL Application Guide.
Pathway 2: Utah-Based Preparation Program
Use this pathway if you are enrolled in an approved Utah school counseling program.
Requirements: To get your Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Counseling, you must:
- Earn a master's degree in school counseling from an approved Utah university:
- Utah State University
- University of Utah
- Utah Valley University
- Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
- Complete all required internship hours.
- Get a university recommendation for licensure.
- Accept your license in the Utah Schools Information Management System (USIMS).
CCR Endorsement Note: If you finished your Utah program in 2021 or later, your university will automatically recommend you for the CCR endorsement. You do not need extra coursework. Email LER@schools.utah.gov if your license is missing the endorsement.
Pathway 3: Out-of-State Preparation Program (Including Online)
Use this pathway if you finished an out-of-state program and hold a license in another state.
License Issued: All out-of-state applicants for a Utah School Counseling license are issued a Professional Educator License (PEL) in School Counseling with an associate CCR endorsement.
- The associate endorsement is valid for three years and cannot be renewed.
- To keep your qualification to provide school counseling services, you must complete the professional CCR requirements within that three-year period.
Requirements to Apply:
- Earn a master's degree in school counseling from:
- A CACREP-accredited institution (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), OR
- A regionally accredited institution that meets Utah standards
- Leads to a professional school counseling license in that state.
- Complete all required program internships and assessments.
- Obtain a professional school counseling license from another state.
How to Apply: Submit your License Equivalency Review (a review process for out-of-state license holders) application in SM Apply. You will need to upload:
-
- Official college transcripts showing your master's degree.
- Your out-of-state school counseling license.
Required CCR Components: To earn your full CCR endorsement, you must complete three components within your three-year window:
- Component 1: Building a College-Going Culture (3 mini-courses)
- Academic Planning for Postsecondary Opportunities
- Economic Benefits of Postsecondary Education
- Promoting a College-Going Culture in the School
- Component 2: Strategic Alignment and Implementation
- Complete the online Canvas course for Systemic College and Career Readiness.
- Component 3: Strengthening Career Readiness (3 mini-courses)
- Career Development and Implementation
- Career Development Planning and Evaluation
- Career Readiness Collaboration and Advocacy for Student Career Development
Once you have completed all three components, submit an online application using the LER Upgrade to Professional application in SM Apply. You will need to upload:
- Documentation showing completion of CCR Components 1, 2, and 3 (if already completed).
Note: For step-by-step instructions, view the School Counselor PEL Upgrade Guide.
Pathway 4: Adding the CCR for Licensed Utah Counselors
Use this pathway if you hold a Utah Professional Educator License but completed your degree before 2021 or were granted a professional license based on an out-of-state license prior to 2023.
Required CCR Components: To earn your full CCR endorsement, you must complete three components within your three-year window:
- Component 1: Building a College-Going Culture (3 mini-courses)
- Academic Planning for Postsecondary Opportunities
- Economic Benefits of Postsecondary Education
- Promoting a College-Going Culture in the School
- Component 2: Strategic Alignment and Implementation
- Complete the School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training within six years before applying for your endorsement.
- Component 3: Strengthening Career Readiness (3 mini-courses)
- Career Development and Implementation
- Career Development Planning and Evaluation
- Career Readiness Collaboration and Advocacy for Student Career Development
Note on Coursework for Components 1 and 3 : Coursework taken at a Utah-based preparation program between 2015 and 2021 school year may satisfy the component 1 and 3 requirements. You may need to submit official transcripts for review.
Approved Courses: Please contact ler@schools.utah.gov with questions about approved coursework substitutions:
-
- Utah State University
- University of Utah
- Utah Valley University
- Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Contacts
For questions about the licensing process:
Megan Carlisle
School Counseling Licensing Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7758 | Email
For questions about Utah Preparation programs and the CCR:
Bethany Marker
School Counseling and Student Services Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7929 | Email
For general inquiries:
Educator Licensing Team
Phone: (801) 538-7740 | Email
Degree: Master's degree (can be waived if you have an out-of-state professional license).
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Competencies: Pass the Praxis 5412 or Praxis 6990 exam, or hold a professional-level license from another state.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Master's degree.
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state, or a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) certificate.
Competencies: Pass the Praxis 5403 exam with a score of 148 or higher or hold a NASP certificate.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license or NASP certificate.
Degree: Master's degree (can be waived if you have an out-of-state professional license).
Program: Recommendation from a Board-approved university program, or an earned standard renewable license (NASDTEC Stage 2) from another state.
Competencies: Pass the Praxis 5412 or Praxis 6990 exam, or hold a professional-level license from another state.
Approval: Use USIMS for a Utah university program, or the License Equivalency Review Application for an out-of-state license.
Degree: Bachelor's degree in communication disorders.
Program: Recommendation from the USBE SLT Institute preparation program.
Approval: Complete the Professional License (APPEL, APPEL-SpEd, SLT Recommendation) Application in the SM Apply system.