Vermont

In This Section

Accepts NCSP as a route to school based credential.

Requires graduation from a NASP or APA approved program, or the equivalent.

SEA Credential requires:
A Specialist-level degree with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours or a doctoral degree from a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved program or its equivalent; OR

A Doctoral degree in School Psychology or Clinical Psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited program or its equivalent; AND 
an internship or equivalent field-based supervised with at least 1,200 clock hours, 600 of which must be in a school setting, or other appropriate educational setting with students, under the supervision of a licensed or certified School Psychologist who has a minimum of three years of post-degree experience;  AND  
A passing Score on the School Psychologist PRAXIS exam.  (PRAXIS tests are revised regularly; please refer to the Vermont Agency of Education website for updated testing information.)  Note: passage of the PRAXIS School Psychologist examination is not required if the applicant has a NASP or APA accredited doctoral degree in school psychology.  A passing score on the PRAXIS Core is still required.

A Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) shall be considered to have fulfilled all of the Knowledge and Performance Standards and all Additional Requirements for licensure as a School Psychologist in Vermont.  NCSP status does not supersede the requirement to have a passing score on the PRAXIS Core exam.  

A Level I License is valid for three (3) years, shall expire on June 30 of the third school year for which it was issued, and may be renewed subject to the provisions of Section 5430 

A Level II License is valid for five (5) years, shall expire on June 30 of the fifth school year for which it was issued, and may be renewed subject to the provisions of Section 5430.

A Level II Professional Educator's License shall be issued, upon recommendation of a local or regional standards board, or the Office if the educator is not employed by an entity served by a local or regional standards board, to educators who have:

  1. Practiced in Vermont in an endorsement area for three (3) years under a Level I License, or who have practiced in another state under a valid license of that state in the endorsement area and are currently practicing and licensed in Vermont  

  2. Provided documentation of three (3) credits or 45 hours of professional learning. At least one (1) credit or 15 hours must address the specific knowledge and performance standards of the endorsement being moved to Level II and must occur within the three (3) years preceding application for the Level II Educator License in each endorsement area; and  

  3. If practicing in an endorsement area, documentation of a self-assessment in relation to the Core Teaching Standards and Progressions or the Core Leadership Standards. The Office shall provide a verification form for L/RSBs for this purpose. Provided verification from the current administrator who supervises the educator's work that the educator is performing at a professional level in relation to the Core Teaching Standards or the Core Leadership Standards. The Office shall provide a verification form for administrators to use for this purpose; and  

  4. Provided documentation of any valid licenses or credentials that are required by the endorsement(s) sought.

Continuing Education Requirements:
Level 1: Level I endorsement holders who have practiced in an endorsement area for 3 years must seek a recommendation from their local or regional standards board, or from the Office if the educator is employed by an entity not served by a local or regional board, for a Level II endorsement. An educator who does not receive a recommendation to move his/her Level I endorsement to a Level II license upon initial application, shall renew the Level I endorsement for three 3 and re-apply to move the endorsement to a Level II license prior to the expiration of the renewal. The Level I endorsement of an educator who does not receive a recommendation to move the endorsement to a Level II license after the second application shall become lapsed and may not be reinstated. Renewal of the Level 1 endorsement requires  3 credits (or 45 hours of CPD). At least 1 credit or 15 hours must address the specific knowledge and performance standards of the endorsement(s) being renewed and must occur within the 3 years preceding renewal of the Level I Educator License in each endorsement area.

Level 2: Level II license holders shall seek a recommendation for renewal of their Level II license and endorsement(s) from their local or regional standards board or from the Office if the educator is employed by an entity not served by a local or regional board.  The local or regional standards board or the Office shall recommend renewal of a Level II endorsement if the applicant presents the following:

  1. Professional learning through completion of a minimum of six (6) credits or 90 hours in the endorsement area. Professional Learning may apply to more than one endorsement if applicable, however, at least two (2) credits or 30 hours must address the specific knowledge and performance standards of the endorsement(s) being renewed and must occur within the five (5) years preceding renewal of the Level II Educator License in each endorsement area. Professional learning will be verified in accordance with Standards Board policy by the local or regional standards Board or the Office who will determine the applicability of the professional learning activities.

  2. Evidence of any required additional licenses or credentials specific to a particular endorsement.

  3. If practicing in an endorsement area, documentation of a self-assessment in relation to the Core Teaching Standards and Progressions or the Core Leadership Standards. The Office shall provide a verification form for L/RSBs for this purpose 

Scope of Practice:
"Psychological services" includes: (a) administering psychological and education assessments, and other assessment procedures; (b) interpreting assessment results; (c) obtaining, integrating, and interpreting information about student behavior and conditions relating to learning;(d) consulting with other staff members in planning school programs to meet the special educational needs of student as indicated by psychological assessments, interviews, direct observation, and behavioral evaluations; (e) planning and managing a program of psychological services, including psychological counseling for students and parents; and (f) assisting in developing positive behavior intervention strategies. An educator with a student support license area may: (a) make referrals for students and families to community mental and behavioral health resources; (b) provide professional learning to staff and psychoeducation to parents regarding prevention and mental health related topics; (c) provide counseling to individuals and small groups of students with identified needs and concerns; (d) provide, coordinate, and participate in crisis intervention and prevention, including assessing students for risk of suicide; (e) participate in a multi-disciplinary team for the development of student special services, including: (i) behavior intervention plans; (ii) Section 504 accommodations; and (iii) individualized education program services; (f) conduct assessments in which the individual is trained in the ethical administration, scoring, and interpretation related to the intended use of the assessment and meet the assessment publisher's criteria for administration; and (g) act as a related service provider to provide counseling services for students with an individualized education program consistent with Rule R277-750 and the Special Education Rules manual. A school psychologist may provide psychological services for special education. A school psychologist or a school social worker who is dual-licensed with the Utah Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing may practice mental health therapy in a school.

SEA website: https://education.vermont.gov/educator-licensure

SEA documents, regulations, or standards:

Transcript review worksheet

Licensing rules

Psychology board website: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/professional-regulation/list-of-professions/psychological-examiners.aspx