Maryland

In This Section

Accepts NCSP as a route to school based credential

Requires graduation from a program approved by NASP, NCATE, APA, or a program approved by the MD Department of Education.

SEA Credential:
School Psychologist: Must meet one of the following:

        1. Have a master's or higher degree in school psychology from a State-approved program; and a qualifying score on the State-approved school psychologist exam (i.e., Praxis)
        2. Have a master's or higher degree and complete a State-approved program in school psychology, culminating a minimum of a 1,200-hour internship in school psychology; and a qualifying score on the State-approved school psychologist exam (i.e., Praxis)
        3. Hold the NCSP
        4. Have a master's or higher degree from an IHE (institute of higher education) and a valid professional certificate in school psychology from another state and verification of at least 27 months of satisfactory performance as a school psychologist during the past 7 years on the basis of which application is being made for a comparable Maryland certificate.

Continuing Education Requirements:
Requires completion of 90 CPD hours (or 6 graduate semester hours) every 5 years. Renewals (and accumulation of CPD hours) are processed by the local school system if you are employed in a Maryland local school system.

Scope of Practice:
School psychologists provide psychological services to children in public or State-approved nonpublic school settings, including private and charter schools. A more detailed description of services can be found in COMAR 13A.05.05.04. The SEA credential does not allow for private practice outside the schools. To practice outside of schools, one must apply through the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Specialist-level school psychologists would likely qualify for Psychology Associate credential through the Maryland Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

SEA website: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/Pages/default.aspx

SEA documents: http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/13a/13a.12.03.08.htm

Psychology board website: https://health.maryland.gov/psych/Pages/home.aspx