Individuals holding an active Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential who have temporarily or permanently discontinued work may be eligible for the NCSP (Inactive) or NCSP (Retired) credentials. Both offer cost-effective, flexible methods of maintaining the NCSP without having to meet the same rigorous requirements as those holding an active NCSP credential. 

NCSP (Inactive)

If you are not currently working, the NCSP (Inactive) allows you to identify yourself as having met this national standard, demonstrating your commitment to professional excellence, while maintaining a reduced CPD requirement for up to 6 years. Holding an NCSP (Inactive) can assist you in finding a job when you return to the workforce. Those with the NCSP (Inactive) can reactivate their NCSP at any time within 6 years of becoming an NCSP (Inactive).

Becoming an NCSP (Inactive)

In order to be eligible for NCSP (Inactive) status, you must pay the one-time fee ($49 for members and $69 for nonmembers) and meet the following requirements:

• All public or private remunerative activity as a school psychologist has ceased.
• You have been an active NCSP for at least 3 years, and have renewed your NCSP application at least once. [Note: Applications for inactive status without having completed one renewal of active status will not be accepted]
• You are an active NCSP at the time the application is received in the NASP office.

Inactive status is available for a maximum of 6 years from the date of approval. During the time you are on inactive status, you must earn 10 continuing professional development (CPD) credit hours per year (see CPD Guidelines), three of which must be from a NASP- or APA-approved provider. At least one of the 10 credits per year must be in ethics or legal regulation. This will help you stay current in the field and can be accomplished conveniently and cost-effectively in the NASP Online Learning Center.

Reinstatement to Active NCSP Status

You can reinstate your NCSP at any time during the 6-year Inactive status period. To return to active status:

• Complete the NCSP Reactivation Form and submit it along with an NCSP reactivation fee of $110 for members and $210 for nonmembers and with documentation demonstrating that you have earned 10 CPDs (a minimum of three of which are NASP- or APA-approved; and one in ethics or legal regulation) per year of inactive status, or fraction thereof.
• If you do not reactivate within the 6-year span, your NCSP will be expired and you will need to reapply for the NCSP designation.

NCSP Reactivation CPD Requirements

Benefits

Individuals meeting these criteria may use the designation "NCSP (Inactive)" to demonstrate that they have met the national standard while maintaining a reduced CPD requirement. Inactive NCSPs are eligible to reactivate their NCSP at any time during the 6-year inactive status period.

NCSP (Retired) 

The NCSP (Retired) designation allows retired NCSPs to continue to identify themselves as persons who have met the national standard of their professions. The official title of this designation is "Nationally Certified School Psychologist (Retired)" or "NCSP (Retired)."

In order to be eligible for NCSP (Retired) status, you must pay the one-time fee ($49 for members and $69 for nonmembers) and meet the following requirements:

• All public and/or private remunerative activity in school psychology has ceased.
• The applicant has held an NCSP credential (active or inactive status) for the last 9 or more consecutive years without any period of expiration.
• The applicant is an active NCSP in good standing at the time the application is received.

Those with an NCSP (Retired) status can convert their NCSP (Retired) status back to active NCSP status by paying the appropriate renewal fee and completing the current CPD requirements (i.e., 75 hours within 36 months of renewal; 10 of which must be from a NASP- or APA-approved provider, and 3 of which must be in ethics or legal regulation in school psychologist). Evidence of having completed the CPD requirements must be provided at the time of reactivation.