Obtain a bachelor's degree in a teaching related field. This bachelor's degree can be obtained either in Illinois or in another state, but must be from an accredited institution of higher education.
Teach within your selected discipline. While it is not absolutely mandatory, nearly all counselors first work as teachers. If possible, obtain a job teaching, and gain experience working with students in an educational setting, while you continue to earn your counselor qualification.
Earn as master's degree in counseling or a related field. Many colleges and universities offer a master's specifically designed to prepare the learner for a career as a counselor. If your selected institution does not, you should consider psychology as this field is closely related to counseling.
Complete a supervised mentorship program. All counselor candidates within the state of Illinois must complete at least 100 hours of supervised counseling, 40 hours of which must be spend dealing hands on with students. Many schools will hire counselors, prior to their official certification, and allow them to work with seasoned counselors within the district to complete this requisite experience while employed by the district.
Take and pass the ISBE Examination for School Counseling. This exam measures your understanding of child psychology principles and basics of school counseling procedure. The exam is offered at locations around the state several times a year. Visit the Illinois Certification Testing site for a listing of these locations and dates to schedule your exam. (See resources)
Obtain a school counselor certificate from the Illinois Department of Education. After you have completed the requisite study and testing, you can apply for your license with the Illinois Department of Education. Visit their certification website for forms and fee information necessary to complete this process. (See resources)