Licensure - Licensed Educational Psychologists - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 4989.20

This law outlines what you need to do to get a license to be an educational psychologist in California. First, you need at least a master's degree in a relevant field from an approved school. You must be at least 18 years old and not have any disqualifying legal issues. You're also required to complete 60 semester hours of postgrad work in school services. You should have two years of recent experience working as a school psychologist, plus additional supervised experience or another year of work. Finally, you need to pass an exam specified by the board.

(a) The board may issue a license as an educational psychologist if the applicant satisfies, with proof satisfactory to the board, the following requirements:

(1) Possession of, at minimum, a master’s degree in psychology, educational psychology, school psychology, counseling and guidance, or a degree deemed equivalent by the board. This degree shall be obtained from an educational institution approved by the board according to the regulations adopted under this chapter.

(2) Attainment of 18 years of age.

(3) Is not subject to denial of licensure pursuant to Section 480.

(4) Successful completion of 60 semester hours of postgraduate work in pupil personnel services.

(5) Two years of full-time, or the equivalent to full-time, experience as a credentialed school psychologist in the public schools. The applicant shall not be credited with experience obtained more than six years prior to filing the application for licensure.

(6) One of the following:

(A) One year of supervised professional experience in an accredited school psychology program.

(B) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (5), one year of full-time, or the equivalent to full-time, experience as a credentialed school psychologist in the public schools obtained under the direction of a licensed educational psychologist or a licensed psychologist.

(7) Passage of an examination specified by the board.

educational psychologist license master's degree psychoeducation

Section § 4989.22

This law section covers who can take a licensure exam and the rules if someone fails. It explains that only those meeting certain criteria can take the exam. If you fail, you have one year to retake it without reapplying. After that, a new application and fees are needed. The board can destroy exam materials after two years. They can't deny exam entry because of complaints unless there's an investigation. However, the board can deny an exam retake or hold results if there's a pending complaint or formal issues against an applicant.

(a) Only persons who satisfy the requirements of Section 4989.20 are eligible to take the licensure examination.

(b) An applicant who fails the written examination may, within one year from the notification date of failure, retake the examination as regularly scheduled without further application. Thereafter, the applicant shall not be eligible for further examination until the applicant files a new application, meets all current requirements, and pays all fees required.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years after the date of an examination.

(d) The board shall not deny any applicant, whose application for licensure is complete, admission to the written examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay any applicant’s written examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.

(e) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed the written examination permission to retake the examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaint against the applicant. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination, withholding the results, or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Section 11503 or 11504 of the Government Code, or the applicant has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.

licensure examination retake policy examination eligibility

Section § 4989.23

If you want to become a licensed educational psychologist in California, starting from January 1, 2021, you need at least six hours of training or supervised experience in assessing and intervening in suicide risks. You can fulfill this requirement during your graduate degree, through supervised work experience in various settings, or by completing a specific continuing education course. If you're renewing your license, reactivating, or reinstating it for the first time after this date, you have to meet this requirement just once, and provide proof if asked.

(a) On or after January 1, 2021, an applicant for licensure as an educational psychologist shall show, as part of the application, that they have completed a minimum of six hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention. This requirement shall be met in one of the following ways:

(1) Obtained as part of their qualifying graduate degree program. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a written certification from the registrar or training director of the educational institution or program from which the applicant graduated stating that the coursework required by this section is included within the institution’s curriculum required for graduation at the time the applicant graduated, or within the coursework that was completed by the applicant.

(2) Obtained as part of their applied experience. Applied experience can be met in any of the following settings: practicum, supervised experience gained pursuant to Section 4989.20, formal postdoctoral placement that meets the requirements of Section 2911, or other qualifying supervised experience. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a written certification from the director of training for the program or primary supervisor where the qualifying experience has occurred stating that the training required by this section is included within the applied experience.

(3) By taking a continuing education course that meets the requirements of Section 4989.34. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a certification of completion.

(b) As a one-time requirement, a licensee prior to the time of their first renewal after January 1, 2021, or an applicant for reactivation or reinstatement to an active license status on or after January 1, 2021, shall have completed a minimum of six hours of coursework or applied experience under supervision in suicide risk assessment and intervention, using one of the methods specified in subdivision (a). Proof of compliance with this section shall be certified under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with this section and shall be retained for submission to the board upon request.

educational psychologist suicide risk assessment intervention training

Section § 4989.23

Starting July 1, 2023, anyone applying to become a licensed educational psychologist in California must show they've completed at least three hours of training in providing mental health services via telehealth, including the legal and ethical aspects. This training can be done during their graduate degree or through a continuing education course. Current license holders need to meet this requirement by their first license renewal after the same date. Documentation proving the training must be kept and might be requested by the board.

(a) On or after July 1, 2023, an applicant for licensure as an educational psychologist shall show, as part of the application, that they have completed a minimum of three hours of training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which shall include law and ethics related to telehealth. This requirement shall be met in one of the following ways:

(1) Obtained as part of their qualifying graduate degree program. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a written certification from the registrar or training director of the educational institution or program from which the applicant graduated stating that the coursework required by this section is included within the institution’s curriculum required for graduation at the time the applicant graduated, or within the coursework that was completed by the applicant.

(2) Obtained by completing a continuing education course that meets the requirements of Section 4989.34. To satisfy this requirement, the applicant shall submit to the board a certification of completion.

(b) As a one-time requirement, a licensee before the time of their first renewal after July 1, 2023, or an applicant for reactivation or reinstatement to an active license status on or after July 1, 2023, shall have completed a minimum of three hours of training or coursework in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, which shall include law and ethics related to telehealth, using one of the methods specified in subdivision (a).

(c) Proof of compliance with subdivision (b) shall be certified under penalty of perjury that they are in compliance with this section and shall be retained for submission to the board upon request.

educational psychologist licensure telehealth training mental health services

Section § 4989.24

The board won't give a license to anyone who has been convicted of a crime related to child sexual abuse or who must register as a sex offender, either in California or any other state or territory. If they deny a license for these reasons, they must follow certain rules outlined in another part of the law.

(a) The board shall not issue a license to a person who has been convicted of a crime in this or any other state or in a territory of the United States that involves sexual abuse of children or who is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code or the equivalent in another state or territory.

(b) A denial issued pursuant to this section shall comply with the conditions for denial specified in Section 480.

license denial child sexual abuse sex offender registration

Section § 4989.26

The board can deny a license to someone if it seems they can't practice safely because of mental health issues or substance abuse problems. If this happens, there are specific procedures that need to be followed as outlined in another part of the law starting at Section 820.

The board may refuse to issue a license to an applicant if it appears he or she may be unable to practice safely due to mental illness or chemical dependency. The procedures set forth in Article 12.5 (commencing with Section 820) of Chapter 1 shall apply to a denial of a license pursuant to this section.

license refusal mental illness chemical dependency

Section § 4989.28

If a person applying for a license has engaged in behavior that is considered unprofessional as outlined in another law section (Section 4989.54), the board in charge of licensing can refuse to grant the license.

The board may deny an application for licensure if the applicant is or has been guilty of unprofessional conduct as described in Section 4989.54.

licensure denial unprofessional conduct application refusal

Licensed Educational Psychologists

Licensed Educational PsychologistsLicensure

Section § 4989.20

Section § 4989.22

Section § 4989.23

Section § 4989.23

Section § 4989.24

Section § 4989.26

Section § 4989.28

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