The school psychology pupil services license issued by the Department of Education and Workforce will transfer to oversight by the State Board of Psychology on Jan. 1, 2025. Here are answers to some common questions and concerns.
The SBP has been proactive in preparing for the day when all ODE school psychology licenses are transferred to SBP: Jan. 1, 2025. SBP has included myself in all its discussions with the groups impacted by this including the Inter-University Council (training programs), ODE Office for Exceptional Children and ODE Office of Licensure. SBP Director Dr. Ron Ross has been steadfast in his commitment to ensure this transition is as painless as possible.
Last week the State Board of Psychology approved a set of draft rules that will govern our license. They will be submitted now to the Common Sense Initiative (for comment on any negative business impact) and then to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (to ensure the rules match the intent of the law). Assuming the rules remain in tact as they go through the process over the next several months, the below will occur:
- All licenses will become SBP licenses starting Jan. 1, 2025. This will occur with no paperwork or payment on your end.
- If your current ODE license will expire before Dec. 31, 2024, you must renew it with the Department of Education and Workforce (ODE's new name).
- You will first renew your SBP license by Sept. 30, 2025. SBP will notify you during summer 2025 that your license is set to expire.
- Under the draft rules, no one will be required to show proof of CEUs for the Sept. 30, 2025 renewal. You will first be required to show proof of hours in 2030.
- Your CE requirement for the school-based license will be 50 hours – including 4 hours in ethics/professional conduct/cultural competence – over the five-year license period.
- There are several ways to show completion of the 50 hours including:
- A compliance report from your Local Professional Development Committees (LPDC) submitted to OSPA.
- Proof of a current NCSP credential submitted to OSPA.
- Contracting with OSPA to track individual courses. You would register with and submit certificates of completion to OSPA. This is the same process as for the independent license through SBP.
- If you hold a permanent license through ODE, you will be exempt from showing proof of CEU compliance in perpetuity.
- The renewal fee – as set in law – will be $300. This will be required of everyone by Sept. 30, 2025.
- If you also hold a private practice license through SBP, nothing will change for you aside from the license now being called “independent school psychologist.” You will still renew on even numbered years. The two licenses are separate.
- The Office for Exceptional Children will continue to be our partner in all things school psychology.
- The temporary licenses granted to interns to allow them to work in schools during their internship will remain with DEW as a temporary pupil services license. The law did not touch this element, so new school psychs will hold a temporary license through DEW during their internship and then have to apply with SBP for their full license.
As referenced above, OSPA is named in the law as being the entity that certifies to SBP that a person has completed their continuing education requirement. This has been the practice for those with private practice licenses, as SBP does not have the infrastructure to verify whether individuals have completed their hours. OSPA leadership has had initial discussions about how to handle doing this for roughly 3,000 licensees given we currently have about 200 private practice licensees we manage. Actual details of how this would work are still being worked out.
Here are links to the various proposed rules (as of 4/12/24):
Rules for Continuing Education
Rules for Reporting Continuing Education
Rules for Initial Licensure as a School Psychologist
Rules for Licensure in Another State
Always feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns.
Rachel Chilton
OSPA Executive Director