Concerning graduate academic requirements for a licensed school counselor, and, in connection therewith, establishing a minimum number of credit hours required for special services licensure with a school counselor endorsement.
Summary
SB26-153 updates Colorado’s licensure requirements for school counselors by setting a minimum graduate education standard for anyone seeking a special services license with a school counselor endorsement. Under the bill, an applicant must hold a master’s degree or higher in school counseling from an accredited institution, and that program must include at least 48 graduate semester credit hours. The bill applies to initial licensure and is framed as a response to the growing academic, social-emotional, and behavioral health needs of students in Colorado schools.
The bill’s legislative declaration emphasizes that school counselors are increasingly expected to do more than academic advising, including crisis response, short-term counseling, risk and safety assessments, coordination with families and community providers, and support for students facing trauma or behavioral health challenges. By requiring a defined level of graduate preparation, the bill seeks to ensure that school counselors entering Colorado schools have training aligned with those responsibilities and with national preparation standards.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado Revised Statutes section 22-60.5-210, which governs types of special services licenses issued by the Department of Education. It creates a specific exception to the general licensure standards for applicants seeking a school counselor endorsement, requiring a master’s degree or higher in school counseling with at least 48 graduate semester credit hours. This change raises the minimum academic threshold for school counselor licensure and may affect educator preparation programs, licensure applicants, and school districts that hire counselors, particularly in rural or underserved areas where staffing can be more difficult.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been viewed positively overall, with no recorded committee transcript opposition or recorded votes in the provided materials. Its findings and declaration present the measure as a student-support and school-safety initiative, and the fact that it was ultimately signed by the Governor suggests broad support. The bill’s framing around student mental health, crisis response, and professional preparation indicates a policy consensus that school counselors should have stronger graduate-level training.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the higher licensure bar itself. Requiring at least 48 graduate semester credit hours could be seen as improving professional standards, but it may also limit the pool of eligible applicants, increase education costs, and make recruitment harder for schools already facing counselor shortages. The bill’s declaration specifically notes that rural, smaller, and underserved districts often rely heavily on school counselors, so those communities may be most affected by any tightening of licensure requirements. No direct opposition is documented in the provided committee materials, but the staffing and access implications are the likely area of concern.