Current through Register Vol. XLII, No. 1, January 3, 2025
Section 17-3-16 - Licensure of School Psychologists16.1. Definitions: 16.1.a. A "Licensed School Psychologist" (Level I) as defined in W. Va. Code § 30-21-2 means a school psychologist who provides school psychology services on school board property and is a school board employee or contractee.16.1.b. A "Licensed School Psychologist Independent Practitioner" (Level II) as defined in W. Va. Code § 30-21-2 means a school psychologist who provides school psychology services to an individual or the public on school board or non-school board property, and provides such services for a fee or other compensation, or as a school board employee or contractee.16.1.c. A "Supervised-School-Psychologist" is a person who has earned a masters, Ed.S. or Certificate of Advance Study in an approved program from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and is applying for Level I or Level II licensure. Core coursework shall be relevant to the practice of school psychology as defined under WV Code § 30-21-2.16.1.d. "School board property" includes buildings or office space that is owned, rented, or leased by the county school board or the West Virginia Board of Education. It also includes donated office space or buildings and private or parochial school facilities. This rule does not prohibit a Level I School Psychologist from providing school psychology services in the student's home (i.e., home bound services) when the services are part of the school psychologist's contract with the school board.16.1.e. School Psychology Representative Membership on the Board: W. Va. Code § 30-21-5a indicates "at least one member of the board shall be a licensed school psychologist." This can be a Level I or Level II school psychologist or a licensed psychologist who also possesses a school psychology license, provided that the licensed psychologist's practice is oriented primarily toward the practice of school psychology.16.2. To be eligible for licensure at Level I or Level II, supervised-school-psychologists shall pass the Praxis Exam for School Psychologists. The Board shall determine and set a passing score in consideration of prevailing national standards and in consideration of ensuring the public welfare. Consideration will be given to the passing rate for eligibility as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) which is determined by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). As the need arises, the Board may from time to time update the passing score and the said updated passing score shall then be in force.16.3. Supervised-school-psychologists shall take the written exam at least once within the first 12 months of their status as a supervised school psychologist if they have not already taken it prior to application for licensure.16.4. Supervised-school-psychologists shall pass the school psychology written examination within 2 years of their application for licensure. Those who do not meet this 2 year requirement shall become ineligible for Level I licensure and must cease all independent/supervised practice of school psychology. The applicant may, however, retake the exam anytime in the subsequent two year period and may renew their "Supervised School Psychologist" status upon passing the exam during that period. Those who fail to pass the exam within the designated periods will no longer be eligible for independent/supervised practice.