LAC 46:LXIII.3300. Application Requirements; Applicant Status; Initial Licensure

A. Applicant status shall not be used for professional representation B. All applicants applying under the provisions of this Section shall submit to the board the required application fee and the complete prescribed application which includes evidence that the person: 1. is at least 21 years of age; 2. is of good moral character; 3. is a citizen of the United States or has declared his intention to become a citizen. A statement by the person under oath that he is a citizen or that he intends to apply for citizenship when he becomes eligible to make such application shall be sufficient proof of compliance with the requirement of this Paragraph; 4. holds a graduate degree or specialist degree from a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved or accredited program, or an equivalent certificate from a university offering a full-time graduate course of study in school psychology defined in Chapter 34 of this Subpart; 5. demonstrates professional knowledge of the laws and rules regarding the practice of psychology in Louisiana by passing the Louisiana Jurisprudence Examination prior to the issuance of a Louisiana license; 6. completes a criminal background check as prescribed by the board, including submitting such number of full sets of fingerprints or other identifiable information, and payment of any fees and costs as may be incurred by the board in requesting or obtaining criminal history record information as authorized by R.S. 37:2372.1. The results of the criminal history record information search must be obtained, reviewed and considered acceptable by the board prior to licensure; 7. is not in violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter or the rules and regulations adopted by the board; does not have any pending complaints; is not the subject of a current investigation; does not have current or prior disciplinary action by a professional board, certifying agency, Board of Education, Department of Education, or LEA; and has not been found guilty of or settled a claim for malpractice or negligence when the subject matter of such is related in any way to the practice of school psychology. C. The board may, at its discretion, require a meeting with the applicant to review and verify his/her satisfactory character, current fitness, plans to practice, and specialty declaration prior to the issuance or denial of a license pursuant to this Chapter or any of the laws, rules or regulations governing the practice of a specialist in school psychology. D. In addition to satisfying the requirements set forth in Part B of this Section, an applicant shall qualify for licensure as a Specialist in School Psychology under one of the following provisions: 1. Full Application. A new applicant shall provide proof of one of the following: a. holds a current National Certification in School Psychology issued by the National School Psychology Association; or, b. has successfully completed the following: i. an acceptable internship of at least 1200 hours and nine months in duration, conducted under the supervision of a certified school psychologist in a school setting or by a licensed psychologist in a community setting. Of the 1200 hours, 600 hours shall be completed in a school setting; ii. three years of supervised experience as a certified school psychologist within the public school system. One year of full-time employment or experience, obtained as part of an acceptable internship as defined by the board under §3403 of this Title, may be applied toward the three years of required supervision. Such experience must be obtained within one academic year, in a public school system; and., Such “academic year” shall be defined by the school calendar in the district of practice; and iii. passing scores on the nationally certified school psychologist examination. 2. Legacy Application. A legacy applicant shall provide proof of the following: a. held an ancillary certificate in school psychology or as a “certified school psychologist” from the Louisiana Department of Education as a “certified school psychologist” between the period July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2025; and b. was employed between the period of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2025 by a Local Educational Agency (LEA) under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Board of Education/Department of Education. 3. Reciprocity Applications. A Reciprocity Applicant shall provide proof of either: a. Interjurisdictional License i. A reciprocity applicant shall provide proof of current licensure, in good standing as a Specialist in School Psychology by another member jurisdiction of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) for five years. b. licensure by endorsement pursuant to the Welcome Home Act i. A Reciprocity Applicant who is relocating to and will reside in Louisiana, shall provide proof that the applicant meets the requirements set forth in La. R.S. 37:51 et. seq., the Welcome Home Act, which requirements include, but are not limited to, current licensure or certification, in good standing, as a Specialist in School Psychology or as a certified school psychologist by another member jurisdiction of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) for one year and proof of residency in Louisiana. 4. Military Application. A military applicant shall be: a. considered for a Temporary Registration pursuant to the provisions of Section 1003. Military Applicants, of Subpart 1 of Part LXIII. Psychologists; b. evaluated for full licensure and processed in accordance with applicable sections of R.S. 37:3651. E. An applicant who is denied licensure by the board based on the evidence submitted as required under this Chapter may reapply to the board after two years have elapsed, and having completed additional training meeting the requirements of the law and as defined in the rules and regulations adopted by the board.