PDFWAC 181-79A-221

Academic and experience requirements for certification—School counselors and school psychologists.

Candidates for school counselor and school psychologist certification shall complete the following requirements.
(1) Degree. It shall not be necessary for any candidate who holds a master's degree or higher 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 specified 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) Professional certificates for school counselors include a requirement for suicide prevention training under WAC 181-79A-244, RCW 28A.410.226, and 43.70.442.
(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) Professional certificates for school psychologists include a requirement for suicide prevention training under RCW 28A.410.226, 43.70.442, and as described in WAC 181-79A-244.
[Statutory Authority: Chapter 28A.410 RCW. WSR 21-15-085, § 181-79A-221, filed 7/16/21, effective 8/16/21. Statutory Authority: Chapters 28A.410 and 28A.413 RCW. WSR 19-15-110, § 181-79A-221, filed 7/22/19, effective 8/22/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.220. WSR 18-21-011, § 181-79A-221, filed 10/4/18, effective 11/4/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. WSR 17-11-104, § 181-79A-221, filed 5/22/17, effective 6/22/17; WSR 15-20-059, § 181-79A-221, filed 10/1/15, effective 11/1/15; WSR 14-24-057, § 181-79A-221, filed 11/25/14, effective 12/26/14; WSR 14-09-121, § 181-79A-221, filed 4/23/14, effective 5/24/14; WSR 11-15-051, § 181-79A-221, filed 7/15/11, effective 8/15/11; WSR 08-12-055, § 181-79A-221, filed 6/2/08, effective 7/3/08; WSR 06-14-010, § 181-79A-221, filed 6/22/06, effective 7/23/06. WSR 06-02-051, recodified as § 181-79A-221, filed 12/29/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.401.010 [28A.410.010]. WSR 04-21-040, § 180-79A-221, filed 10/15/04, effective 11/15/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.305.130 (1) and (2), 28A.410.010 and 28A.150.220(4). WSR 99-01-174, § 180-79A-221, filed 12/23/98, effective 1/23/99.]