• Licenses available
• What are the requirements for a school specialist license?
• Will I have to complete testing requirements for a school specialist license in Kansas?
• Are the requirements for a school specialist license the same if I am an experienced school specialist coming from out-of-state?
• I want to start a degree program leading to school specialist licensure.  Where do I begin?
• I have already completed all the program, degree and other requirements and need to apply.  Where can I get an application?

What Licenses are available?

• School Counselor
• Reading Specialist
• Library Media
• School Psychologist

Regulations provide for an initial school specialist license (2 years) and a professional school specialist license (5 years).    

What are the requirements for a school specialist license?

School Specialist License

• Graduate degree from a regionally accredited college
• Completion of a graduate level state approved program
• 3.25 cumulative grade point average in graduate coursework
• Recency - means the applicant must have at least 8 credit hours or one year of accredited experience completed within the last six years
• Currently valid Kansas professional teaching license (if applying for counselor, library media, reading specialist)
• School specialist content assessment

Will I have to complete testing requirements for a school specialist license in Kansas?

Are the requirements for a school specialist license the same if I am an experienced school specialist coming from out-of-state?

The degree, program, GPA, recency and minimum experience requirements are the same.  However, if you meet specific experience requirements, you may qualify for a professional school specialist license as your initial Kansas license and would be exempt from any testing requirements.  If you do not meet the requirements for a professional school specialist license, you would have to meet all requirements of the conditional school specialist license, including completion of a school specialist assessment.

Out-of-state applicant requirements for a professional school specialist license:

• Graduate degree from a regionally accredited college
• Completion of a graduate level state approved program
• 3.25 cumulative grade point average in graduate coursework
• Recency - means the applicant must have at least 8 credit hours or one year of accredited experience completed within the last six years
• Currently valid Kansas professional teaching license (if applying for counselor, library media, reading specialist)

 AND

• Successful completion of a school specialist content and performance assessment

OR

• Three years of recent accredit experience in a school specialist position with a valid professional level license

  

I want to start a degree program leading to school specialist licensure.  Where do I begin?

You need to contact a college or university that offers an approved program in the school specialist area you are seeking.  After you review the list of institutions offering the approved program and have decided on the one you want to work with, contact the licensure officer at the institution for a plan of study.

I have already completed all the program, degree and other requirements and need to apply.  Where can I get an application?

Completed a Kansas program?

Contact the licensure officer at your Kansas institution for the appropriate application form and to coordinate the application process.

Completed an out-of-state program?

If this is your initial Kansas license, you will also need to Order a Fingerprint Card and Instructions

Initial Out-of-State Application - Form 2   PDF Document