Unlocking the Path to Becoming a School Psychologist in Arizona

Are you passionate about helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally? Becoming a school psychologist in Arizona might be the perfect career path for you! Here's a fun and easy guide to understanding the key requirements and steps to obtaining your school psychologist license in the Grand Canyon State.

What You Need to Know

Arizona offers several pathways to becoming a licensed school psychologist. The state accepts the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential as one of the routes to a school-based credential. Let's break down the essentials:

SEA Credential Requirements

Hold a master’s or more advanced degree from an accredited institution.
Complete one of the following:
- A graduate program in school psychology with at least 60 graduate semester hours.
- A doctoral program in psychology and a retraining program in school psychology from an accredited institution or board-approved program, along with a letter of institutional endorsement from the head of the school psychology program.
- Five years of full-time experience as a school psychologist within the last 10 years, verified by the school district superintendent or human resources department.
- Hold the NCSP credential.
- Possess a diploma in school psychology from the American Board of School Psychology.
Provide a letter verifying completion of a supervised internship of at least 1,200 clock hours (with a minimum of 600 hours in a school setting) or a letter verifying three years of experience as a certified school psychologist within the last ten years.

Renewal and Continuing Education

The Standard certificate is valid for 12 years and can be renewed with proof of 15 clock hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate term. One semester hour of college coursework is equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development activities, which can be completed in various increments per year.

Scope of Practice

The SEA credential allows for practice in school settings. If you wish to practice outside of schools, you must apply through the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners.