Apply for NCSP Certification
To qualify for national certification, a school psychologist must meet NASP's established credentialing standards. Graduates of NASP-approved graduate programs benefit from a streamlined application process. Applicants will complete the appropriate application (NASP-Approved or Non-NASP-Approved) based on the NASP-approved status of their programs at the time of graduation. Individuals who successfully meet NASP's Standards for the Credentialing of School Psychologists may identify themselves as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist or NCSP. Please review the National School Psychology Certification System Procedures Manual for more details on the application and renewal process.
The NASP 2020 Standards have been approved. These include the Standards for Graduate Preparation, Credentialing, Practice Model, and Ethics. For the purposes of an application for the NCSP, the NCSP Board will continue using the current rubrics that reflect the 2010 credentialing standards for all submissions through and including 2023. All submissions from May 2024 and thereafter must submit using the new rubrics that reflect changes in the 2020 standards.
We expect to have the new rubrics available in 2023. These will be shared with all programs as well as with reviewers before the 2024 cycles. We encourage programs and reviewers to review the NASP 2020 Standards.
Graduates of NASP-Approved School Psychology Programs
For graduates of NASP-Approved programs, you must ensure you meet all of the NCSP eligibility requirements and all required documentation is submitted via online application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can take up to 8 weeks to process based on volume and the time of year.
Graduates of Non-NASP-Approved School Psychology Programs
For graduates of Non-NASP-Approved programs, NCSP applications are accepted twice a year: May 1 and November 1. This rigorous application involves preparing a case study and demonstrating your competency in 10 domains of practice. The review process takes approximately 3 to 4 months.