Career counselors are required to have a master's degree in counseling or a related field, such as psychology. Coursework includes theories of counseling/psychology, abnormal psychology, career counseling theories/techniques and counseling techniques. Additionally, an internship or practicum is included in accredited programs, which allow students to counsel clients while being supervised.
Career counselors can be nationally certified through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The National Certified Counselor (NCC) is a general licensure for counselors who have a master's degree. Career counseling is a specialty subset of counseling and there is no certification offered or required for it. Obtaining a counselor certification or licensure allows you to practice in whatever specialty you choose. To obtain the NCC credential, you must have a master's degree in counseling or a related field and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) administered by NBCC.
Affiliation with career counseling organizations can help you convey what type of counseling you specialize in. Two major organizations are the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) and the National Career Development Association (NCDA). NCDA is a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). According to the NCDA website, the organization is active in representing the counseling profession in Congress. NCDA has more than 4,200 members.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage of career/vocational counselors is $51,050. The top paying industry is junior colleges, with an annual mean wage of $57,900.
Once certified nationally, you will be listed on the NBCC website professional counselor database, which will allow clients to find you. The NCC credential is a means of conveying that you have met the professional standards for the profession set by counselors, not legislators. These requirements are often more stringent than legislation. Lastly, the NBCC offers reduced rate liability insurance for NCCs.
Becoming an NCC will not always satisfy state requirements for where you live. The NCC is a national certification, and many states require a separate, locally governed certification. Check with your state credentialing organization; if you are not state certified, you cannot practice legally.