School Psychologist, PreK-12

Certificate Information

Overview: This Certificate is required for personnel whose primary responsibility is in the role of a school psychologist providing services that include but are not limited to the duties of student psychoeducational assessment, therapeutic consultation and intervention, and involvement in the process of determination of a student’s disabilities or disorders. Requirements may be subject to change and are fully referenced in the Arizona Revised Statutes and Administrative Code R7-2-606; R7-2-607; R-2-601.01; R7-2-617 (A)(C); R7-2-621.

Out-of-state certificate: If you hold a valid, current, comparable out-of-state school psychologist certificate/license that is in good standing in another state, follow this link for information and steps to apply under reciprocity.

To qualify for this certificate applicants must meet the requirements under Required Coursework/Training.

A formal review is required to verify that all requirements have been met. Please visit the "How to Submit Official Documents" below for the proper submission of the required documents. Failure to submit documents as described could cause a delay in the processing of the application.

Application: A completed Application for Certification.
Fee: The required fee is $60. Per Board-rule, certification fees are non-refundable.
AZDPS IVP Card: A valid Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Official Transcripts: Official transcripts documenting a Master's or more advanced degree and all applicable coursework.
- Note: If you completed your degree and applicable coursework at an institution outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation from a Department approved foreign credential evaluation agency. Please see the "Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation" list.

Degree Requirement

Master's Degree: A master's or more advanced degree from an accredited institution.

-AND-

One of the Following:

Graduate Program: Completion of a graduate program in school psychology, consisting of at least 60 graduate semester hours; -OR-
Doctoral Program: Completion of a doctoral program in psychology and completion of a re-training program in school psychology from an accredited institution or Board-approved program with a letter of institutional endorsement from the head of the school psychology program; -OR-
Experience: Five years of experience within the last ten years working full-time in the capacity of a school psychologist in a school setting serving any portion of grades kindergarten through twelve. Please submit a verification letter, completed and signed by District Superintendent or Personnel/HR Director to verify experience; -OR-
Nationally Certified: Verification of a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Credential; -OR-
American Board Diploma: Verification of a diploma in school psychology from the American Board of School Psychology.

-AND-

Internship or Experience: One of the following:

A verification letter from a university department chair or designee verifying the completion of a supervised internship of at least 1,200 clock hours with a minimum of 600 clock hours in a school setting.
- Note: This verification letter is required in addition to the official transcripts documenting the internship. -OR-
Three (3) years of experience as a certified school psychologist within the last ten years may be substituted for the internship requirement.

Documents Requiring Submission by the Verifying Authority

Official Transcripts: Transcripts that are uploaded through the educator portal or emailed by the applicant are not official and will not be accepted. Official transcripts and foreign credential evaluations must be submitted as follows:
- Electronic official transcripts must be submitted directly by the college or university to [email protected].
- Paper official transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and mailed by the college or university to:
  Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit
  PO Box 6490
  Phoenix, AZ 85005-6490.
- Foreign credential evaluations must be sent directly by the approved foreign credential evaluation agency to [email protected] or mailed to the Arizona Department of Education - Certification Unit.
Verification of School Psychologist Experience: Request that the verifying HR complete and submit the "Verification of Leadership and Professional Non-Teaching Experience" form to [email protected].

Accepted Photocopies from the Applicant

AZDPS IVP Card: Submit a photocopy of the Arizona DPS IVP Fingerprint Clearance card.
Verification of Nationally Certified Psychologist Credential: Submit a photocopy of your certificate.
American Board of School Psychology: Submit a photocopy of your diploma.

Ready to apply - click here for step-by-step directions

Pursuant to section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, an agency shall limit all occupational regulations to regulations that are demonstrated to be necessary to specifically fulfill a public health, safety, or welfare concern. Pursuant to sections 41-1093.02 and 41-1093.03, Arizona Revised Statutes, you have the right to petition this agency to repeal or modify the occupational regulation or bring an action in a court of general jurisdiction to challenge the occupational regulation and to ensure compliance with section 41-1093.01, Arizona Revised Statutes