SOC 21-1012.00: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — Occupation Classification & Job Zone

Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.

Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Occupations in this zone require extensive skill, knowledge, and experience. Most require graduate school and may require licensure or certification. Employees may need more than five years of experience.

Related industries and commodity codes

Occupations are not industries, but these classifications often appear in the same hiring, procurement, or market research workflow.

Frequently asked questions

What is NAICS 21-1012.00?

NAICS 21-1012.00 is the North American Industry Classification System code for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. It classifies this business activity for statistical, regulatory, and government procurement purposes. Federal agencies use NAICS codes to collect and publish data about the US economy, determine SBA size standards, and set aside contracts for small businesses.

What licenses and permits does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors need?

A Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors typically needs a local business license, a federal EIN from the IRS, and industry-specific permits depending on the sector. Check with your city or county clerk for a general business license, your state's professional or industry licensing board for any required occupational licenses, and your state's tax authority for a sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods or services.

How do I register a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors business in the United States?

To register a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors business, first choose your legal structure: sole proprietorship (simplest, uses SSN), LLC (personal liability protection, files with your Secretary of State), or corporation (Form 1120 or 1120-S). Register your business name (DBA) with your county if operating under a trade name. Obtain an EIN from the IRS at irs.gov/ein. Register with your state revenue department for any applicable taxes.

What tax forms does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors file with the IRS?

Tax forms depend on your entity type. A sole proprietor files Schedule C with Form 1040 and Schedule SE for self-employment tax (15.3%). An LLC taxed as a partnership files Form 1065 with Schedule K-1s. A C-Corporation files Form 1120 (21% flat rate). An S-Corporation files Form 1120-S. All businesses paying employees file Form 940 (FUTA) annually and Form 941 quarterly. Estimated tax payments are made via Form 1040-ES four times per year.

Is Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors the right NAICS code for my business?

Your NAICS code should reflect your primary business activity — the one generating the most revenue or value. If Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors describes your main line of business, NAICS 21-1012.00 is likely correct. If you have multiple distinct activities, you may need separate codes for statistical reporting. For federal contracting, your SAM.gov registration should use the code that best matches the work you perform. Review the official NAICS 21-1012.00 description and exclusions to confirm it fits your operations.

What anti-money laundering (AML) requirements apply to a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?

Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), financial institutions including money services businesses (MSBs), broker-dealers, casinos, and investment companies must implement a written AML compliance program with five pillars: internal controls, a designated BSA compliance officer, ongoing employee training, independent testing, and customer due diligence (CDD). MSBs must register with FinCEN within 180 days of starting. CTR (Currency Transaction Report) for cash transactions over $10,000; SAR (Suspicious Activity Report) within 30 days of detection.

What state money transmitter license does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors need?

If your business transmits money, issues payment instruments, or processes payments on behalf of others, you likely need a money transmitter license in each state where you operate. Requirements include a surety bond ($25K to $500K+ depending on volume), audited financial statements, net worth minimums ($50K-$1M), and AML/BSA compliance program. As of 2025, 49 states plus DC require licensing. Some states participate in multi-state agreements for coordinated review.

Does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors need professional liability (E&O) insurance?

Most financial services professionals carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, which is often a regulatory or contractual requirement. State insurance producer licensing typically requires E&O. Broker-dealers must maintain fidelity bond coverage. Accountants and tax preparers should carry E&O to protect against client claims of negligence. Typical limits range from $1M-$5M depending on client type and exposure.

What continuing education does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors need to maintain licensing?

Continuing requirements vary by profession. FINRA registered representatives complete annual Regulatory Element training plus firm-specific Firm Element. Insurance producers complete 24 CE hours biennially in most states (including 3 hours ethics). CPAs meet state board CPE requirements (typically 80 hours over 2 years). Mortgage loan originators complete 8 hours NMLS-approved CE annually. Series 65/IARs meet state-specific CE. Failure to complete CE results in license suspension.