School Psychology Certification in Kentucky: Become a School Psychologist in KY
Kentucky school psychologists are credentialed by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). Certification is based on graduate education, internship, and examination.
There are multiple certification levels. While meeting internship requirements, individuals hold ‘Provisional Certificate for School Psychologist’ credentials. After completing the requisite hours, they are eligible for the ‘Standard Certificate for School Psychologist’ credential.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has developed online Bachelor’s and Master’s in Psychology programs with several emphases to select from as well as a CACREP accredited online Master’s in Counseling. Click here to learn about the psychology and counseling programs at SNHU.
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers a several online Master’s in Psychology programs developed based on the standards and recommendations set by the American Psychological Association with emphases in: Forensic Psychology, General Psychology, GeroPsychology, Health Psychology, Human Factors Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Life Coaching. GCU also offers three online Bachelor’s in Psychology programs. Click here to learn about GCU and their programs.
New York University Steinhardt Department of Applied Psychology offers a Master of Arts in School Counseling (Counseling and Guidance: School and Bilingual School Counseling). The program is accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Click Here to contact NYU Steinhardt Department of Applied Psychology about this program.
Select a Kentucky School Psychologist topic below…
- Education and Internship Requirements
- Requirement for Standard Certificate: Examination
- Alternate Pathway: National Certification
- Requirements for Provisional School Psychology Certificate
- Application Process: Forms and Materials
- Certificate Renewal
- Contacts and Additional Information Sources
Requirements for Standard Certificate: Education and Internship
There are two certification pathways. School psychologists may demonstrate that they have had an education that conforms to standards set forth in the National Association of School Psychologist (NASP) Standards for Training Programs and have passed the written examination required by the state (http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/016/002/090.htm). Alternatively, they may present national certification issued by NASP.
The graduate program will be at least 60 semester hours (as per NASP standards). The internship will be at least 1,200 hours. It may be completed full-time in one school year or part-time in two.
Requirement for Standard Certificate: Examination
The required examination is the Praxis II school psychologist examination, administered by Educational Testing Service, or ETS. Candidates who apply based on having met Kentucky educational requirements will need a Praxis II score of 161 (http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/016/006/010.htm). They may visit the ‘Kentucky’ page of the ETS site to see state requirements (http://www.ets.org/praxis/ky/requirements).
Candidates may also visit the ETS site to see upcoming test dates; two dates are listed for the first half of 2014 (http://www.ets.org/praxis/register/centers_dates/paper). Standard registration closes approximately a month before each test date. Candidates may register after this date for an additional fee.
Alternate Pathway: National Certification
NASP requires certification candidates to complete educational programs that include at least 60 semester hours of graduate coursework and provide services as part of a 1,200 hour internship experience; at least 600 of the 1,200 hours must be in a school psychology setting.
NASP certification also requires passing scores on the Praxis II. The certification requirement is set slightly higher: 165. Scores can be accepted even if the individual took an earlier version of the test where the passing score was set at 660. However, NASP does place limits; candidates who took the exam ten years in the past should be prepared to retake it. Individuals interested in registering as part of the NASP certification process will also find a page on the ETS site to guide them (https://www.ets.org/praxis/nasp/requirements). Score reports can be sent to multiple agencies.
Certification candidates must meet NASP professional standards. The organization has prepared a PDF handbook to help graduate students prepare for the certification process (http://www.nasponline.org/certification/becomeNCSP.aspx). A candidate can be certified if their school psychology program was not NASP-approved. However, they will need to demonstrate competency through submission of case study and professional portfolio. There is a separate application packet for those who complete non-approved programs; detailed instructions are included.
Prospective students can search for NASP-approved programs online; the list includes programs from around the nation (http://www.nasponline.org/certification/naspapproved.aspx). NASP notes that approval status at the time of graduation determines whether an individual has graduated from an approved program. Questions can be addressed to the NASP Certification Department at (866) 331-NASP.
Requirements for Provisional School Psychology Certificate
School psychology students who are pursuing their training in Kentucky will apply for provisional certification when they have completed the required curriculum and the Praxis II examination and are ready to begin the internship experience. They will need a recommendation from the institution where they completed their qualifying education.
The provisional certificate is good for one year, but the timeframe may be extended to allow a student who is serving in a part-time internship to complete requirements.
The Application Process
Candidates should use the ‘Application for Kentucky Certification or Change in Salary Rank’ which is found on the EPSB site (http://www.kyepsb.net/certification/certquicklinks.asp). Certificates carry a $50 fee; this may be paid online or by certified check or money order.
Applications may be sent to the following address:
Division of Certification Education Professional Standards Board 100 Airport Road, 3rd Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Applicants can use their password to check application status online.
Certificate Renewal
The standard school psychology certificate is issued for five years. During this time, school psychologists are expected to do 72 hours of professional development or pursue six semester hours of academic coursework. They are also expected to practice at least three years during the renewal cycle (http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/016/002/090.htm).
Additional Information
The EPSB-issued credential does not authorize private practice. Private practice as a psychologist requires a license from the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychologists (http://psy.ky.gov/). NASP notes that a license issued by the Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors can also authorize private practice (http://www.nasponline.org/certification/state_info_list.aspx).
Individuals with questions or concerns may fill out a contact form on the certification section of the EPSB site (http://www.kyepsb.net/certification/certcontact.asp).
The Kentucky Association for Psychology in the Schools is Kentucky’s professional organization. KAPS does not certify individuals but does help them stay current on school psychology issues (http://www.kapsonline.org/). The organization maintains a listserv (http://www.kapsonline.org/Resources.html).
