School Psychology Certification in Washington
Upon graduation from an approved Washington School Psychology program, or upon entering Washington with an existing certificate from another state*, a WA residential certificate will be issued. The residential certificate will be marked with a five-year expiration date once a period of two consecutive years working in the same district has transpired.
Before the expiration of the residential certificate, the School Psychologist must begin the process of obtaining a Professional Certificate (ProCert). There is currently only one path to the ProCert in School Psychology; candidates must obtain the National Certification through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and show that they have completed a course that covers issues of abuse (could be in your graduate preparation program; also, universities and ESDs offer an Issues of Abuse course). The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) is currently reviewing options for those candidates who do not possess the NCSP and don't see the national certification as a viable option due to program, credit or internship issues. Soon we expect to have an option for candidates to work with their school districts in Professional Growth Planning, and we expect at least one statewide ProCert Program to be developing (WSASP is working with universities to develop this). For more information about obtaining your national certification see Becoming an NCSP.
*Note: If from out of state, your credential/transcripts/internship experience must be reviewed by a Washington training program to ensure that it meets WA School Psychology ESA requirements.
Maintaining your School Psychology Certificate
Aside from the ProCert, all School Psychologists must maintain their state-issued certificate. This requires the documentation of 150 continuing education clock hours every three years. Some districts keep track and will inform you when the three years are approaching but this is ultimately your professional responsibility. Attending to this need, WSASP ensure that our fall conference and spring webinar lecture series provides at least 50 clock hours each year. The information you’ll gain through these professional development activities is attuned to best practice and is most appropriate for the profession of school psychology. Clock hours are offered at no cost to WSASP members. For non-members, the cost is $2 per clock hour. WSASP clock hours are NASP approved.
In the course of maintaining your state certificate, you will be able to earn most, if not all, of the clock hours you need to maintain your national certificate (NCSP). Our fall conference offers the 3 hrs of required ethics training. NASP requires 75 clock hours every 3 years (3 of which are ethics; and 10 must be NASP offerings such as the national conference or webinars). Click here to learn more about NCSP renewal requirements.
Earning Clock Hours through WSASP
Following your attendance at a WSASP conference, lecture series, or summer institute, you will be provided an evaluation form. Once you complete your evaluation, either a link to your clock hour form will be provided or a paper copy will be made available to you.
