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National School Psychology Certification Board

FAQs for Applicants

Are you considering becoming a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)?  Join the more than 10,000 school psychologists who are NCSPs

Click here to download an application form.  Click on a question for answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Question:  I will graduate from a NASP-approved program this year.  What do I need to do to receive the NCSP?

Answer:  Here are the steps to take:

  • Download the application for graduates of NASP-Approved Programs, request it via e-mail from cert@naspweb.org, or call us at 301-657-0270, x228. 
  • Please read all of the instructions, then complete all applicable pages and obtain the necessary signatures.
  • Once you graduate, obtain an official copy of your graduate transcript (it must show the date of graduation and degree conferred).
  • Send the complete package, including your official transcript, to the NASP office at the address listed in the booklet.
  • Register for and complete the National School Psychology Exam given by ETS.  ETS can be reached at www.ets.org/praxis/index.html or by calling 800-772-9476.  Online registration for the exam is available.  List NASP listed as a score recipient by using the code "R1549."  If you have already taken the exam and did not list NASP as a recipient, please call them and ask that an official copy be sent to us.  We must receive your score report directly from ETS.  The current passing score is 660. 

Question:  I will graduate from a program that is not approved by NASP.  What do I need to do to apply?

Answer:  Complete the following steps:

  • Download the application for graduates of Non-NASP-Approved Programs, request it via e-mail from cert@naspweb.org, or call us at 301-657-0270, x228. 
  • Please read all of the instructions, then complete all pages and obtain the necessary signatures.
  • Submit a case study. 
  • Create a portfolio that provides evidence of your knowledge in each of the practice domains required by NASP as well as evidence of your skills in those domains
  • Once you graduate, obtain an official copy of your graduate transcript (it must show the date of graduation).
  • Send the complete package, including your official transcript, to the NASP office at the address listed in the booklet. You must send four (4) sets of everything you submit, including supporting documentation.
  • Register for and complete the National School Psychology Exam given by ETS.  ETS can be reached at www.ets.org/praxis/index.html or by calling 800-772-9476.  Online registration for the exam is available.  List NASP listed as a score recipient by using the code "R1549."  If you have already taken the exam and did not list NASP as a recipient, please call them and ask that an official copy be sent to us.  We must receive your score report directly from ETS.  The current passing score is 660. 

Question:  I will graduate from a program that is not approved by NASP.   I no longer have course descriptions or syllabi.  How can I get that information?

Answer:  Contact the current program director of your training program, as your program should have the necessary information on file.  Also, most universities and colleges keep copies of past university bulletins or catalogs on file in their libraries.  Check with your university to see what documentation you can retrieve.

Question: My program lost NASP approval prior to my graduation. Can I still use the NASP-Approved application?

Answer:  Unfortunately, no. It is the status of your program at the time of your graduation that determines which application process you use. Programs that lose NASP approval typically have had ongoing weaknesses prior to the loss of NASP approval.

Question:  When I graduated, my program was not approved by NASP.  It is now approved.  Can I follow the steps for graduates of approved programs? 

Answer: 

  • If you graduated no more than one calendar year prior to the effective date of the NASP approval, you may obtain a letter from the program director stating that the program you completed was substantially similar to the one you completed.  If there were major differences, the letter must also state how you made up these differences.
  • If you graduated more than one calendar year before approval, you must follow the steps listed for graduates of non-approved programs. Click here for those steps.

Question: I completed a graduate program in school psychology but my transcript does not list my degree as school psychology.  Am I eligible to obtain the NCSP certification?

Answer:  Yes, you are; however, you must provide documentation that your graduate program was an organized training program in school psychology.   Include a copy of the page description listed in your College Bulletin or Graduate School Catalog with your application.

Question: My field placement supervisor and/or university supervisor no longer works at the institution where I completed my placement.  I am unable to locate them.  What should I do?

Answer:  Your university program director should have the necessary material on file to verify your internship supervision.  Ask your program director to write a letter explaining the situation and include it with your application.  Your program director may sign for your supervisor on the necessary forms - just be sure to attach the letter of explanation.

Question:  When I completed my internship, my program required less than 1,200 hours.  How can I meet the 1,200-hour requirement?

Answer:

  • If you completed your program before December 31, 1994, and the internship required less than 1,200 hours, you may be able to complete a field-based internship.  Contact the NASP office for more information.  Call 301-657-0270, ext 228 or e-mail us at cert@naspweb.org.
  • If you completed your program after December 31, l994, you must complete an organized internship.  Contact a school psychology training program and work with them to arrange an organized internship within that program. It must be documented on a transcript and the university must provide supervision.  The internship must be consistent with the NASP Standards for Training and Field Placement Programs in School Psychology that are in effect as of the date your application is received by the NASP office.

Question:  I am certified as a school psychologist by my state.  Do I need to complete a separate process to become an NCSP?

Answer:  Yes, it is necessary to apply separately for the NCSP credential. Holding a state credential is not equivalent to the national credential offered by NASP. 

Question:  I completed my program prior to the NCSP being instituted.  Am I eligible for "grandparenting," as some of my colleagues were?

Answer:  Unfortunately, no.  The "grandparenting" option was available only when the NCSP was being instituted.  It required the completion of the application and the national exam by December 31, l988.  You must apply under the standards in place at the time of your application.