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New Hampshire School Counselor Certification Renewal

How to Become a School Counselor in New Hampshire - 2025 Guide
School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: February 5th, 2025

New Hampshire Licensing Body

Certification Renewal Process for New Hampshire School Counselors

Renewing your New Hampshire School Counselor certification involves a structured process tailored to your level of experience and professional development track. Whether you’re a beginning educator navigating your initial years in the field, an experienced educator with a robust tenure, or fall somewhere in between, understanding the requirements and procedures is essential (see NH renewal process overview and Admin Code for renewals).

For those under a New Hampshire Professional Development Master Plan (PDMP), recommendations are streamlined through online portals managed by the Superintendent’s office. The renewal application fee stands at $120. Meanwhile, those not under a PDMP can complete their renewal application independently.

Additionally, specific criteria apply for Beginning Educator Licenses (BEL renewal process) and Experienced Educator Licenses (EEL upgrade process), each with distinct requirements and procedures for renewal as follows:

Beginning Educator License (BEL)

Beginning Educator licenses are issued for three (3) years and can be renewed under Ed 509.

Follow the requirements below:

Educator Experience:

  • Individuals must either have less than three (3) years of educator experience.

OR

  • Have more than three (3) years of educator experience but do not meet the requirements for an Experienced Educator License.

Qualifications:

  • Meet the qualifications for a license specified in Ed 505.

Application Submission:

Fees:

Recommendations:

  • If employed under a New Hampshire Professional Development Master Plan (PDMP), recommendations for renewal will be submitted through the online portal by the Superintendent’s office.
  • If not employed under a PDMP, complete the renewal application online.

Documentation:

  • Submit necessary documentation as required, such as employment verification forms if applicable via email as PDFs to credentialing.docs@doe.nh.gov.

Should you require assistance throughout the process, don’t hesitate to contact the certification office at 603-271-2409 or via email at cert.info@doe.nh.gov.

Experienced Educator License (EEL)

Experienced Educator licenses are issued for three (3) years and can be renewed under Ed 509 administrative code.

Follow the requirements below:

Educator Experience:

  • Have at least three (3) years of full-time or full-time equivalent educator experience.

Performance Evaluation:

  • Have been deemed effective or above according to the local evaluation system for two (2) consecutive years.

Renewal Cycle:

  • Complete a renewal cycle under Ed 509 and the state or local professional development master plan as determined by the senior educational official.

Application Submission:

  • Employers of school counselors under a NHED-approved PDMP can recommend educators for an EEL during renewal through the Educator Information System (EIS).
  • If the employer omits an Experienced Educator upgrade request, they can redo the recommendation before the applicant applies and pays.
  • After application/payment, the employer must submit a PDF on letterhead signed by the Senior Educational Official stating the applicant’s eligibility for an EEL upgrade.

Documentation:

  • Submit required documentation, such as verification of educator experience and performance evaluations.
  • Email the completed verification form and request form as PDFs to credentialing.docs@doe.nh.gov.

Fees:

For technical assistance or to request an Experienced Educator Upgrade, submit a Help Desk request indicating that documentation has been emailed to credentialing.docs@doe.nh.gov or reach out to the certification office at 603-271-2409.