Licensing and Certification in School Psychology

National School Psychology Certification System

In 1988, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved the National School Psychology Certification System (NSPCS), which established standards by which school psychologists should be trained. School psychology programs may apply to NASP to offer approved programs, which will culminate in a graduate being eligible to be endorsed as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Students must complete a course of study of at least 60 semester hours, which includes a 1,200-hour internship, as well as passing the national examination in school psychology. NASP approves both nondoctoral and doctoral programs. Graduate programs may, at their discretion, require that students take and pass this examination as a graduation requirement. As of 2004, 21 state departments of education accept the NCSP credential as making the applicant automatically eligible for licensure as a school psychologist. The NCSP is a certificate and does not permit a school psychologist to provide services unless licensed by a state. Holding the NCSP only verifies that the school psychologist has completed a NASP-approved program. Conversely, a school psychologist may not have the NCSP, yet be licensed by a state. Holders of the NCSP must complete at least 75 clock hours of continuing education every three years to retain it.

Independent Practice for School Psychologists

Every state has a separate mechanism for licensing of psychologists who work in nonschool settings or independent practice as a psychologist. In general, independent practice is limited to persons who hold a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, or EdD) in school, clinical, or counseling psychology. (Some states, such as Indiana, have limited independent practice options for nondoctoral or unlicensed doctoral school psychologists.) Most state licenses for independent practice are generic (i.e., they do not license by specialization area, but it is assumed that the person practices within one's scope of training and experience). Failure to practice within one's area of competence is considered [Page 301]unethical and illegal, and could result in disciplinary action. Students in doctoral programs in school psychology may choose to complete programs of studies which include a 1,500-hour internship and lead to licensure as an independent practitioner. Doctoral programs accredited by the American Psychological Association meet this requirement. Following receipt of the doctoral degree, a candidate for licensure as a psychologist is required to complete postdoctoral supervised experience of at least 1,500 hours and successfully pass the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP). Most states also require an examination covering state laws and ethics, which may be written and/or oral. Each state sets its own postdoctoral experience requirements and passing score on the EPPP. Following approval for independent practice, the licensed psychologist often must complete continuing education hours annually or over several years (depending on the state) to retain the license. Doctoral level school psychologists who have a license for independent practice also are eligible to be licensed separately by state departments of education. There may be some minor differences in requirements for either license across states.

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