Congratulations for reaching this point in your program. This document is intended to provide you with a step-by-step process for becoming certified as a Professional School Counselor in Texas.
Note. Out-of- State Students are not eligible for testing or certification in Texas, please be sure to check your state requirements for Certification in your state. This document does not relate to you. However, please sign it to acknowledge that you understand that you cannot take the TExES for certification in your state. The Certification Office can help you navigate any paperwork that is needed.
Please complete all applications with Lamar University (LU) to be approved with TEA to take these exams and to be approved for Certification. When you are ready to test, use the below checklists below to ensure that all of your applications are completed correctly and in the correct order.
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1 |
Apply with LU TExES Office to take the TExES 252 School Counselor |
Click the test application for School Counselor 252 exam. Be sure to include:
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2 |
Receive approval from LU TExES Office with next steps for registering for the test. This approval takes approximately 2-3 weeks. |
During this time, you can determine exam dates and sites for the TExES School Counselor 252. Preparation Manuals are available. |
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Register for the TExES 252 Exam |
After completing Step 1, you will receive a confirmation email which will have the steps for completing your Pearson application to test. You can also find these steps on the Certification Office Website.
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Take your exam and await your test results |
You will be notified by Pearson of your testing results. If you pass the exam, please continue by using the Checklist to Be Certified below. If you need to retest, please see the information below the checklist. |
Please Note. Due to a high volume of applicants it may take up to 2-3 weeks to process your application, if you have any questions or concerns please email grad.texes@lamar.edu or call (409) 880-7793.
After passing your TExES exam, you will need to complete another application with Lamar University to be recommended for the Certification for School Counselor.
Note. Do not apply for certification with TEA until after you have completed the LU application to request approval for Certification. Use the below Checklist. Out-of-state students must contact their state for both the steps to test in their state, coursework, field hours, and certification requirements in their state.
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Verify that all conditions have been met with LU to be approved for Certification: Passed TExES Exam, Graduation, Outstanding Balances Paid, etc. |
Use Self-Service Banner to determine if there are any holds on your account. You must have your degree conferred and all TExES exams passed before applying for certification. |
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Apply with LU Certification Office to be reviewed that you meet all conditions to be approved for Certification. |
Apply now for the Lamar School Counselor Certification Application. |
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Apply with TEA using their online application AFTER you have completed the above step. |
Apply with TEA for School Counselor Certification. *Choose Texas Standard Application *Choose Entity: Lamar University (University Based) |
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The LU Certification Office will complete the certification recommendation process with TEA. |
TEA will email you at the email address you provided with TEA that you have been recommended by LU. Check your email within 6 weeks after you have submitted your certification application to Lamar and TEA for your recommendation for certification. Please contact LU certification office if you have questions or concerns. |
Note. Students will not be recommended for Certification without following the above steps in the order they are presented.
Note. If after 6 weeks, you have not received information of your LU Certification for recommendation to complete the application for certification, please contact the Certification Office at (409) 880-2320 or Email: grad.cert@lamar.edu
Lamar University and Texas Education Agency (TEA) are subject to make changes at any time pertaining to testing and certification deadlines, TExES exams and Lamar and TEA policies. Please make sure and check Lamar University websites and TEA websites for any changes and updates. All updated information can be found on the LU Certification Office website.
Locate TExES exam dates and preparation manuals.
To retake the TExES School Counselor exam, please complete the application to retest in Step 1. Texas Education Code §21.048 limits candidates to four attempts to retake any educator certification examination. This means that candidates are limited to a total of five attempts to pass a certification examination. For more information, please see the Educator Certification Examination Retake Limit FAQs.
Test takers are limited to 5 attempts on any certification examination under Texas Education Code §21.048(a-1). The State Board for Educator Certification has defined the waiver application process in Chapter 230, Subchapter C of the Texas Administrative Code and authorized TEA staff to administer the waiver process. Application information is provided on the Test-Limit Waiver Information webpage.
For more information, please visit TEA website.