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Best guidance counselor certifications
The best certifications for a guidance counselor are Pastoral Counseling Certification, Certified Professional Counselor, and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Guidance counselor certifications demonstrate your competency as a guidance counselor to employers. However, not all guidance counselor certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best guidance counselor certifications. Obtaining a guidance counselor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
11 best certifications for guidance counselors
| Rank | Guidance counselor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pastoral Counseling Certification | Mt. Vision In... |
| 2 | Certified Professional Counselor | APA, DAPA |
| 3 | Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) | NCHEC |
| 4 | Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) | Microsoft |
| 5 | National Certified Counselor (NCC) | NBCC |
| 6 | Educational Certificate: K-12 (Ed:) | RID |
| 7 | Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) | IPMA-HR |
| 8 | Programming in C# Certification | MS |
| 9 | Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) | IC&RC |
| 10 | National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) | NBCC |
| 11 | Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) | APENS |
11 best guidance counselor certifications
1. Pastoral Counseling Certification
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
2. Certified Professional Counselor
You entered this field in order to help people. When was the last time that an organization came along to provide any real help to you? The mission of the American Board of Professional Counselors, ABPC program is to be the nation's leading advocate for counselors. ABPC will champion counselors' right to practice. We will work with you to protect your right to practice, increase parity for your profession, and provide you with the recognition that you so richly deserve.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
3. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam is a competency-based test that measures the possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the Seven Areas of Responsibilities: a comprehensive set of Competencies and Sub-competencies defining the role of an entry-level health educator.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
4. Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE)
The Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) certification validates that educators have the global educator technology literacy competencies needed to provide a rich, custom learning experience for students. MCE certification is ideal for educators-in-training, faculty of teacher training colleges, and in-service educators. Microsoft offers a comprehensive e-learning curriculum, 21CLD, to help educators prepare for this rigorous exam.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
5. National Certified Counselor (NCC)
The NCC certification was launched by NBCC in 1983 as a result of the efforts of members of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Since that time, NBCC has become an independent entity and more than 80,000 counselors have become NCCs. The NCC is one of two NBCC certifications that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Educational Certificate: K-12 (Ed:)
Holders of this recognition certification have demonstrated the ability to expressively interpret classroom content and discourse and the ability to receptively interpret student or teen sign language. It is not limited to any one sign language or system. This certification is issued to interpreters who work with students and teenagers who use predominately American Sign Language (ASL), Manually-Coded English (MCE) and Pidgin Sign English (PSE). Holders also demonstrate proficiency in the voice-to-sign and sign-to-voice interpreting skills of interpreters who work in the elementary and secondary school classroom setting.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
7. Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP)
IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Programming in C# Certification
This exam is intended for developers with one or more years of experience programming the essential business/application logic for a variety of application types and hardware/software platforms using C#.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
9. Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC)
The International Examination for Alcohol & Drug Counselors is the first examination to test knowledge and skills about alcohol and drug counseling on an international level. It has been developed by IC&RC through the cooperation of its Member Boards and their strong desire to have an international exam that is based on current practice in the field.Alcohol & Drug Counselor is one of the five reciprocal certifications offered through IC&RC.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. National Certified School Counselor (NCSC)
The National Certified School Counselor Examination (NCSCE) is based on a national job analysis. The purpose of the study was to describe the job activities of professional school counselors in sufficient detail to provide a basis for the development of a professional, job-related certification examination that is in compliance with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) standards.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
11. Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE)
Persons who are eligible to become a CAPE fall into three categories; Recently graduated, qualified Physical Education Teachers; Professional Physical Educators (> 10 years full time experience); and Academics.Teachers that pass the exam will be certified by the NCPERID for a period of 7 years. These teachers will be listed in the NCPERID's national registry of certified adapted physical educators. They will also be given a one year membership in NCPERID.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 7 year(s)
What is the best certification for a guidance counselor?
The best guidance counselor certification is Pastoral Counseling Certification. The Pastoral Counseling Certification is awarded by the Mt. Vision Institute.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this guidance counselor certification:
- To become a certified Pastoral Counseling Certification, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What certifications can impact a guidance counselor career and salary?
The Certified Professional Counselor certification will help you to secure a counselor position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A counselor's average salary is $37,562 whereas guidance counselors make an average salary of $48,154.
The most common combination of guidance counselor certifications include: Pastoral Counseling Certification, Certified Professional Counselor, and Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).
Online courses for guidance counselors to earn certifications
1. Psychological First Aid
Learn to provide psychological first aid to people in an emergency by employing the RAPID model: Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition. Utilizing the RAPID model (Reflective listening, Assessment of needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition), this specialized course provides perspectives on injuries and trauma that are beyond those physical in nature. The RAPID model is readily applicable to public health settings, the workplace, the...
2. Crisis Intervention Seminar
The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...
3. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited
Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...
4. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor
Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...
5. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
6. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
7. Mental Health First Aid Skills -
This course is designed to provide the tools and knowledge for learners to help and support those experiencing MH issues...
8. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
9. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED
Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...
10. Career Coaching Certification in Career Development Coaching
Career Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Ready-To-Work Professionals in Holistic Career Development Career Coaching...
11. Connect With Your Angels ~ The Angel Guidance Program
Steve Wentworth helps you to recognize the signs from your guardian angels & interpret the messages they send every day...
12. Angels for Beginners - Everyday Guidance & Spirituality
Learn how to communicate with Angels and Archangels and receive clear answers to all of your life's important questions...
13. Abnormal Behavior & Clinical Psychology (Certificate)
Guiding students into the field of mental health services for either personal and/or professional development...
14. Anger Management & Conflict Resolution Program - (4 hours)
How to manage anger and ensure it does not explode into rage. Enhance your life by building quality relationships...
15. Mental Health and Wellness Professional (MHW) Diploma Course
Discover a flexible and comprehensive way of understanding mental health as a Certified Mental Health Professional (MHP)...
16. Specialized Certificate Course in Psychological Counseling
The course develops your Practical Counseling Skills and Therapeutic Competencies...
17. Accredited Professional Counselling Diploma For Sexual Abuse
Fully Accredited Course For Counsellors Of Sexual Abuse With Easy Techniques To Survive The Trauma Of Abuse...
18. Discover the I Ching #1: Inner Guidance for Any Question
Try Out Carl Jung's Favorite Divination Oracle for Help With Decisions & Personal Development - aka Yijing or Yi Jing...
19. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Life Coach Specialty
CBT Life Coaching: Emotional Intelligence - Tools for Overcoming Negative Emotions like Anxiety, Fear, Undue Stress...
20. The Comprehensive PTSD Course
**The Only Dedicated & Comprehensive PTSD Course On The (UDEMY) Platform! – Everything You Need To Know About PTSD**...