PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

STANDARDS BOARD

Candidates for school nurse, school occupational therapist, school physical therapist and school speech-language pathologist or audiologist and school social worker certification shall apply directly to the professional certification office. Such candidates shall complete the following requirements, in addition to those set forth in WAC 181-79A-150, except state approved college/university professional preparation program. Provided, that it shall not be necessary for any candidate who holds a master's or doctorate degree to obtain the specified master's degree if the candidate provides satisfactory evidence to the superintendent of public instruction that he or she has completed all course work requirements relevant to the required master's degree and has satisfactorily completed a comprehensive examination required in such master's degree program: Provided, That if any candidate has been awarded a master's degree without a comprehensive examination, the candidate, as a condition for certification, shall successfully complete the Praxis II exam in the appropriate role.

(1) School nurse.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid license as a registered nurse (RN) in Washington state.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

(iii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the professional educator standards board which will consist of the following course outcomes in which candidates will:

(A) Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education laws and policies (national, state, and local) and their application to decision-making processes in the educational setting;

(B) Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students;

(C) Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting;

(D) Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students;

(E) Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making;

(F) Use professional standards to inform professional growth planning;

(G) Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. Provided, that an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one year, unless prior to the expiration date the superintendent of public instruction determines the applicant is ineligible to receive a valid certificate or endorsement, which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.

(b) Continuing.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school nurse and have completed forty-five quarter hours (thirty semester hours) of postbaccalaureate course work in education, nursing, or other health sciences.

(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer—i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system—and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

(2) School occupational therapist.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid license as an occupational therapist in Washington state.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree from an American Occupational Therapy Association approved program in occupational therapy.

(iii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the professional educator standards board which will consist of the following course outcomes in which candidates will:

(A) Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education laws and policies (national, state, and local) and their application to decision-making processes in the educational setting;

(B) Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students;

(C) Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting;

(D) Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students;

(E) Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making;

(F) Use professional standards to inform professional growth planning;

(G) Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. Provided, that an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one year, unless prior to the expiration date the superintendent of public instruction determines the applicant is ineligible to receive a valid certificate or endorsement, which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.

(b) Continuing.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school occupational therapist and have completed at least fifteen quarter hours (ten semester hours) of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy, other health sciences or education.

(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer—i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system—and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

(3) School physical therapist.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid license as a physical therapist in Washington state.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree from an American Physical Therapy Association accredited program in physical therapy.

(iii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the professional educator standards board which will consist of the following course outcomes in which candidates will:

(A) Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education laws and policies (national, state, and local) and their application to decision-making processes in the educational setting;

(B) Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students;

(C) Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting;

(D) Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students;

(E) Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making;

(F) Use professional standards to inform professional growth planning;

(G) Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. Provided, that an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one year, unless prior to the expiration date the superintendent of public instruction determines the applicant is ineligible to receive a valid certificate or endorsement, which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.

(b) Continuing.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school physical therapist and have completed fifteen quarter hours (ten semester hours) of course work beyond the baccalaureate degree in physical therapy, other health sciences or education.

(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer—i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system—and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

(4) School speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall have completed all course work (except special project or thesis) for a master's degree from a college or university program accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) with a major in speech pathology or audiology. Such program shall include satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive examination: Provided, That if any candidate has not completed a written comprehensive examination, the candidate may present verification from ASHA of a passing score on the National Teacher's Examination in speech pathology or audiology as a condition for certification.

(ii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the professional educator standards board which will consist of the following outcomes in which candidates will:

(A) Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education laws and policies (national, state, and local) and their application to decision-making processes in the educational setting;

(B) Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students;

(C) Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting;

(D) Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students;

(E) Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making;

(F) Use professional standards to inform professional growth planning;

(G) Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. Provided, that an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one year, unless prior to the expiration date the superintendent of public instruction determines the applicant is ineligible to receive a valid certificate or endorsement, which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.

(b) Continuing.

(i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree with a major in speech pathology or audiology, or the candidate shall present a copy of a valid certificate of clinical competence (CCC) issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer—i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system—and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

(5) School social worker.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold an MSW from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

(ii) The candidate shall successfully complete thirty clock hours or three quarter hours (two semester hours) of course work approved by the professional educator standards board which will consist of the following outcomes in which candidates will:

(A) Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education laws and policies (national, state, and local) and their application to decision-making processes in the educational setting;

(B) Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students;

(C) Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting;

(D) Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students;

(E) Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making;

(F) Use professional standards to inform professional growth planning;

(G) Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. Provided, that an individual who meets all other requirements but who has not completed the required course work shall be issued a temporary permit valid for one year, unless prior to the expiration date the superintendent of public instruction determines the applicant is ineligible to receive a valid certificate or endorsement, which will allow the individual to practice in the role. The candidate shall verify to OSPI the completion of the required course work during the one hundred eighty-day period.

(b) Continuing.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school social worker and have completed an annual professional growth plan or fifteen quarter hours or one hundred fifty clock hours specific to the role of the school social worker since earning the initial certificate.

(ii) The candidate shall provide documentation of one hundred eighty days of full-time equivalent or more employment in the respective role with an authorized employer—i.e., school district, educational service district, state agency, college or university, private school, or private school system—and at least thirty days of such employment with the same employer.

(6) Beginning with continuing certificates first issued after July 1, 2015, continuing certificates for school nurses and school social workers include a requirement for suicide prevention training per RCW 28A.410.226 and again every five years after receiving the continuing certificate.

(7) The professional educator standards board will review courses for approval and reapproval/disapproval per the posted schedule. All providers of the initial ESA course must maintain current approval status to offer the course.