Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(1)
Summary: This rule outlines
the requirements and procedures for issuance of a service certificate in School
Psychology, which allows individuals certified in this field to support
students and teachers by applying expertise in mental health, learning, and
behavior, to promote student success academically, socially, behaviorally, and
emotionally.
(2)
Professional
Certificate Requirements (See GaPSC Rule
505-2-.05 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE).
(a) Issuance.
1. An individual is eligible for a
Professional certificate in the field of School Psychology based on meeting one
of the following requirements:
(i) Completion
of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Psychology at
the specialist degree level - level six (6) - or higher;
(ii) Completion of a National Association of
School Psychologists (NASP)-approved School Psychology program; or
(iii) Submission of a valid National
Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential issued by the National School
Psychology Certification Board.
2. Meet Special Georgia Requirements (See
GaPSC Rule
505-2-.24 SPECIAL GEORGIA
REQUIREMENTS) applicable to the field of School Psychology:
(i) Pass the GACE content knowledge
assessment; and
(ii) Standards of
Conduct.
3. Apply for
certification following procedures outlined in Rule
505-2-.27 CERTIFICATION AND
APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
(3)
Non-Renewable Professional
Certificate (See GaPSC Rule
505-2-.09 NON-RENEWABLE PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATE).
(a) A Non-Renewable
Professional certificate in the field of School Psychology may be issued at the
request of an employing Georgia local unit of administration (LUA) in the
following scenarios:
1. A Three (3)-year
Non-Renewable Professional certificate in the field of School Psychology may be
issued to an individual who has satisfied all applicable Special Georgia
Requirements and has completed all coursework for a state-approved or
NASP-approved program at the specialist or doctoral level, with the exception
of any internship, thesis, or dissertation requirements;
2. A Three (3)-year Non-Renewable
Professional certificate in the field of School Psychology may be issued to an
individual who has satisfied all applicable Special Georgia Requirements and
has completed a state-approved School Psychologist program at the master's
degree level [level five (5)]; and
3. A One (1)-year Non-Renewable Professional
certificate in the field of School Psychology may be issued to an individual
who holds an expired Georgia Clear Renewable or Professional School Psychology
Certificate but has not met renewal requirements outlined in section (7)
below.
(4)
Additional Certificate Titles Issued in the Field.
(a) Retired Educator (See GaPSC Rule
505-2-.44 RETIRED EDUCATOR
CERTIFICATE).
(5)
To Add the Field (See GaPSC Rule
505-2-.34 ADD A FIELD).
(a) To add School Psychology to an existing
Professional certificate in any field, an individual must complete the
requirements outlined in (2)(a) for an initial School Psychology Certificate to
include all applicable Special Georgia Requirements.
(6)
To Upgrade the Level (See
GaPSC Rule
505-2-.33 CERTIFICATE
UPGRADE).
(7)
Renewal
Requirements (See GaPSC Rule
505-2-.36 RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS).
(a) To renew a Professional School Psychology
certificate, an individual must meet one of the following options:
1. Complete renewal requirements outlined in
GaPSC Rule
505-2-.36 RENEWAL
REQUIREMENTS;
2. Submission of a
valid National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential issued by the
National School Psychology Certification Board; or
3. Submission of a valid State of Georgia
Psychologist license issued by the Professional Licensing Boards Division of
the Office of the Secretary of State, O.C.G.A. Title 43.
(b) If an individual is not employed by a
Georgia LUA at the time of renewal, completion of ten (10) Professional
Learning Units awarded by the Georgia Association of School Psychologists
(GASP) will satisfy renewal requirements. The PLUs must have been earned during
the validity period of the certificate or, if the certificate is expired,
within five (5) years of application for renewal.
(8)
In-Field Statement (See
GaPSC Rule
505-2-.40 IN-FIELD ASSIGNMENT).
(a) Individuals certified in School
Psychology are in-field to serve as a School Psychologist in grades
P-12.
O.C.G.A. §
20-2-200.
