Louisiana School Counselor Certification Renewal
AKA: Ancillary Certification Renewal
What's Here? - Table of Contents
Ancillary Certification Renewal Process
Initial school counseling licenses in Louisiana are valid for five (5) years and require timely renewal before expiration. If your Louisiana school counseling endorsement was acquired after July 1, 2013, you have the option to renew it by submitting proof of your existing licensed professional counselor (LPC) license.
For those without an LPC license, an alternative method for renewing the Louisiana school counseling endorsement involves the completion of 150 hours of Continuing Learning Units (CLUs) over the five (5) years of the current, valid license. The earned CLUs must adhere to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards, ensuring a foundation in standards-based continuing education.
To initiate the renewal process (certification renewal overview), applicants are required to submit their applications online through the Louisiana Department of Education’s dedicated Teach Live! portal. Access login information and submit your renewal application promptly through Teach Live!.
Requirements for Certification Renewal
- Experience Verification: You must verify your experience as a School Counselor.
- Verification of Effectiveness: Renewal requires verification of your effectiveness as a School Counselor. This could include evaluations and ratings reflective of your performance over a full school year.
- Continuing Education: You may need to demonstrate completion of any required continuing education or professional development credits as per Louisiana state regulations.
Application Submission Process
For the successful submission of your application, the employing school system should compile a comprehensive application packet containing all necessary documentation (see Employer Evaluation Attestation). This submission is made through the online educator certification portal. It is highly advisable that both applicants and HR personnel review the current certificate status and Compass evaluations, if applicable, before initiating payment and submitting the application. This proactive approach ensures that the application aligns with the intended request and minimizes the risk of denials.
To facilitate a smooth application process, ensure that the following five (5) items are included in every request. These required forms must be signed and dated:
- A copy of the applicant’s Social Security Card and Driver’s License/Official Photo ID is a mandatory inclusion for all applications.
- The Renew/Higher Application form.
- A completed Professional Conduct form, with all questions answered, signed, and dated by the applicant.
- An Experience Verification form (out-of-state experience verification form/in-state experience verification form).
- A copy of the Online Payment Confirmation email or screenshot. The amount due can be determined using the Processing Fee Schedule.
It is important to note that the payment, while non-refundable, does not guarantee certification but serves as a means for the review of the submitted documents.
Applicants are encouraged to guide educators to their TeachLA Live! portal account to facilitate the online payment process through the LDOE payment portal. Additionally, applicants should emphasize to educators that the inclusion of the email confirmation or payment success screen is imperative for the application’s processing. Applications needing this confirmation will be returned with further processing. It is essential to adhere to these guidelines to ensure a seamless and effective application submission.
For further guidance and information on the renewal process for your Louisiana School Counselor license, specialists can be reached toll-free at (877) 453-2721 or email: Compass@la.gov. Your commitment to maintaining an up-to-date and valid license is crucial, and assistance is readily available for any inquiries or concerns during the renewal procedure. To inquire about certification requirements, contact the certification staff via the online educator certification portal or contact employing school systems using the online scheduler. Applications are evaluated in order of receipt. You can check the status of your certification application online.