Mackinac Center Analysis

Senate Bill 162 expands reciprocity for out-of-state school counselors by amending section 1233 (MCL 380.1233) of the Revised School Code. The bill amends subsection 2 which outlines the criteria for issuing a school counselor license. It expands eligibility to individuals who hold a school counselor license from another state, country, or federally recognized Indian tribe. Individuals who meet this criterion need to have served at least three years in a school counseling role and completed the guidance counselor examination in order to be issued a Michigan school counselor license.

The bill also adds subsection 13 to include criteria for issuing a preliminary school counselor license. It adds subsection 14 to allow a temporary school counselor license to be issued to an individual who is licensed in another state or country and has met all requirements for Michigan licensure except successful completion of the counselor examination. By expanding eligibility to licensed individuals from other states and countries and easing requirements for temporary licensure, the bill may increase the pool of individuals who qualify for a Michigan school counselor license.