Candidates for school counselor and school psychologist certification shall complete the following requirements in addition to those set forth in WAC 181-79A-150 and 181-79A-226.

(1) Degree. 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. This examination shall be an examination of an accredited institution of higher education or the National Counselor Examination (NCE) of the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) or, in the case of school psychologists, hold the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). 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.

(2) School counselor.

(a) Residency.

(i) Hold a master's degree in counseling.

(ii) Completion of a state-approved school counselor program.

(b) Professional. A professional certificate may be earned by an individual who holds a valid school counseling certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

(c) Beginning with certificates first issued or renewed after July 1, 2015, continuing and professional certificates for school counselors include a requirement for suicide prevention training under RCW 28A.410.226.

(3) School psychologist.

(a) Residency.

(i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree in school psychology.

(ii) Completion of a state-approved school psychology program.

(b) Professional. An individual who holds a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential issued by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) shall be deemed to have met the requirement for professional certification.

(c) Continuing and/or professional certificates for school psychologists include a requirement for suicide prevention training under RCW 28A.410.226 as described in WAC 181-85-075.