How to Become a School Psychologist: A Step-By-Step Guide

Becoming a school psychologist takes at least 7-8 years. To become licensed in your state, you must meet certain education, experience, and exam requirements.

School psychologists must complete an accredited bachelor’s degree to qualify for graduate programs. Bachelor’s programs typically require four years for full-time students. Typical majors include psychology, child development, education, or a related field.

In every state, school psychologists need a graduate degree for licensure. You can choose from a master’s, education specialist (Ed.S.), specialist in psychology (Psy.S.), or doctor of education (Ed.D.) degree in school psychology.

Graduate students must complete 60 credits at a minimum, with doctoral programs typically requiring 90 credits. Specialist programs take at least three years, while doctoral programs require 5-6 years. Accredited online school psychology programs also meet licensure requirements. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) accredits specialist or doctorate programs that meet nationally recognized standards in the field.

School psychology programs incorporate at least 1,200 internship hours, with a minimum of 600 hours in a school setting. Doctoral-level internships may require 1,500-2,000 hours of supervised training.

During your internship, you will work under the supervision of a school psychologist to conduct assessments, plan interventions, and learn how to work with school teams to support young learners.

Prospective school psychologists typically must pass a licensure examination, and many states use the Praxis School Psychologist test. The test assesses your professional knowledge and skills based on standards set by NASP.

The Praxis exam requires test-takers to complete 125 multiple-choice questions in two hours and five minutes. After passing the exam, test-takers submit their scores to their state licensure board to complete the licensure process.

Candidates can take the exam as many times as they need to pass, with a 28-day waiting period required between attempts. A $156 exam fee applies for each attempt.

NASP offers the nationally certified school psychologist (NCSP) credential, which recognizes qualified school psychologists. Although the NCSP credential is optional, school psychologists can benefit from national recognition of their knowledge and skills.

The requirements for certification mirror licensure requirements and include a specialist or doctoral degree, an internship of at least 1,200 hours, and passing scores on the Praxis school psychologist exam. National certification can help school psychologists showcase their expertise on the job market.

School psychologists need a state-issued credential to practice. While the requirements and process vary, most require a minimum of 60 graduate-level credits, at least 1,200 internship hours, and passing scores on a licensure exam.

Each state’s board of education sets its own requirements for a school psychologist license. In some states, the board certifies school psychologists, while in other states, the board of psychology issues licenses. Depending on the state, school psychologists may gain experience while holding a provisional credential before receiving a full credential. NASP provides resources on the credentialing requirements by state.

Credentialed school psychologists can apply for school psychologist jobs at K-12 schools, colleges, or educational companies. Networking during a school psychologist program can prepare graduates for the job market. The NASP Career Center includes a job board and career planning resources, such as career coaching and interview prep.

School psychologists must also maintain their credentials. Continuing education requirements and renewal timelines vary by state. In most states, school psychologists renew their credentials every 2-3 years. State licensure boards provide additional information on continuing education and renewal.

School psychologists earn a median annual salary of nearly $87,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, several factors impact earning potential, including work setting, location, and experience. For example, the highest-paying states for school psychologists include Colorado, California, and New Mexico.

Where do school psychologists work? Nearly 85% of school psychologists work in public or private K-12 schools. A smaller number of school psychologists work in educational support services, higher education, healthcare, and local government.

School psychologists in elementary and secondary education often work on the academic calendar with summers off. However, work schedules vary by school district.

Choosing to become a school psychologist can mean making a difference for the well-being of students, families, and an overwhelmed profession. NASP recommends an ideal student-to-psychologist ratio of 500:1. During the 2023-2024 school year, the nationwide average ratio was 1065:1.

Speaking to the American Psychological Association, Andrea Clyne, Ph.D., and NASP president from 2023-2024, said, “Our nation is seeing increasing numbers of students experiencing poverty and trauma and growing numbers of children with mental health disorders. Schools are woefully underresourced when it comes to the provision of needed services for a population with diverse backgrounds and needs.”