Credit counselor: degree in business, finance or psychology, months of on-the-job training
Credit counselors typically need a bachelor's degree, usually in business, finance or psychology; a high school diploma qualifies for some jobs. New counselors need several months of on-the-job training. Employers may prefer or require certification.
For: Empathetic people who can talk about money without judging and help others make a plan.
Degree → months of training with experienced counselors Typical
High school English, mathematics and personal finance are a good start.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Credit Counselors — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's in business, finance or psychology
BLS
Credit Counselors — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Several months
On-the-job training
Learning to build a rapport with clients.
BLS
Credit Counselors — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Credit counselor
BLS
Credit Counselors — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Credit counselor certification
Certification bodies (listed by CareerOneStop) · Employer may require - Employers may prefer or require certification.
BLS
Credit Counselors — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.