Louisiana School Psychologist Continuing Education Requirements
Louisiana has two important school psychology credentialing pathways. For school-based certification, Louisiana now recognizes a current Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential rather than issuing new ancillary School Psychologist certificates. Louisiana also offers a separate Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) license through the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, which has its own continuing professional development requirements.
Louisiana School Psychologist Requirements at a Glance
Louisiana School-Based Certification Now Uses the NCSP
Louisiana changed its approach to school psychologist certification beginning in 2025.
The Louisiana Department of Education states that beginning January 1, 2025, it no longer issues new ancillary School Psychologist certificates.
Instead, a person who holds a current National Association of School Psychologists Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential is considered certified by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
School-Based School Psychologist
Current NCSP = Louisiana school psychology certification pathway.
Because the NCSP itself is the qualifying credential, maintaining the NCSP's continuing professional development requirements becomes especially important for Louisiana school psychologists.
What About Older Louisiana School Psychologist Certificates?
Louisiana school psychologists who were issued an ancillary School Psychologist certificate before the 2025 policy change are not necessarily required to replace that credential immediately.
LDOE currently states that ancillary School Psychologist certificates issued under previous policy requirements may still qualify for renewal.
Continuing Professional Development for the School-Based NCSP Pathway
Because Louisiana now uses the current NCSP as the school-based certification credential, school psychologists using this pathway must keep their NCSP active.
NCSP renewal has its own continuing professional development requirements established by NASP and the National School Psychology Certification Board.
This is different from the Louisiana LSSP license discussed below.
Louisiana Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP)
Louisiana also regulates a separate professional credential called the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP).
This license is issued by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists rather than by the Department of Education.
The LSSP expands the professional credentialing framework beyond Louisiana's school-based certification system.
What Can a Louisiana LSSP Do?
Louisiana law permits an LSSP to practice independently as a contractor of a:
- Public school;
- Private school; or
- Charter school.
When an LSSP provides services outside a school system, Louisiana law requires the LSSP to practice under the clinical supervision of a Louisiana licensed psychologist or medical psychologist.
40 CPD Hours Every Two Years for LSSPs
Louisiana LSSPs must complete 40 hours of continuing professional development during each biennial reporting period.
The reporting period runs from July 1 through June 30 of the applicable two-year cycle.
At least 2 of the 40 hours must address ethics or law.
Louisiana LSSP Continuing Education Requirements
Are NASP-Approved Courses Accepted for Louisiana LSSP Credits?
Yes. Louisiana is one of the clearest states for your NASP Approved Provider status.
Louisiana's LSSP continuing education rules specifically list NASP-approved sponsors and activities offered by NASP among the sponsors and activities recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
Child & School Psychology CE
Child & School Psychology CE is a NASP Approved Provider, Provider #1152.
Louisiana's LSSP continuing education rules expressly recognize NASP-approved sponsors as acceptable continuing education sponsors.
Accordingly, qualifying courses from Child & School Psychology CE may be used toward Louisiana LSSP continuing professional development when the course and documentation meet the applicable LSBEP requirements.
Qualifying courses may also be used toward applicable NCSP continuing professional development requirements.
Relevant LSSP Continuing Education Topics
Louisiana LSSP continuing education must support professional growth and competence in school psychology.
- Psychoeducational assessment
- Academic intervention
- Behavior assessment and intervention
- School psychology ethics
- Louisiana and federal education law
- Special education law
- Section 504
- School mental and behavioral health
- Consultation and collaboration
- Trauma-informed practice
- Family-school collaboration
- Evidence-based interventions
- Program planning and evaluation
- Professional supervision and practice
Types of LSSP Continuing Professional Development
Louisiana recognizes several categories of professional development rather than limiting LSSPs to traditional classroom courses.
Depending on the activity and applicable limits, recognized professional development may include:
- Workshops and conferences
- College and university coursework
- Research and professional publications
- Teaching and training activities
- Supervision of school psychology trainees
- Supervised professional experience
- Program planning and evaluation
- Formal self-study activities
- Professional organization leadership
- Other qualifying activities allowed by LSBEP rules
Can Online Continuing Education Count in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana recognizes continuing education delivered through qualifying professional education activities, including appropriate virtual and prerecorded formats.
For LSSPs, the activity must satisfy the Board's requirements for acceptable subject matter, sponsor, activity type, and documentation.
NASP-approved sponsors are specifically identified within the LSSP rules, which makes relevant NASP-approved online courses especially useful for Louisiana school psychologists.
LSSP Documentation Requirements
Louisiana LSSPs should retain documentation for all continuing professional development claimed for renewal.
- Participant name
- Course or activity title
- Provider or sponsoring organization
- Date of completion
- Number of CPD hours
- Ethics or law designation when applicable
- Certificate or other verification of completion
Louisiana rules require LSSPs to retain corroborating documentation of continuing education for six years.
When Do Louisiana LSSPs Report CPD?
Although the LSSP license is renewed annually, continuing professional development is reported on a biennial schedule.
Historically, even-numbered licensees report during even-numbered years and odd-numbered licensees report during odd-numbered years. Licensees should follow the current LSBEP renewal portal instructions for their assigned reporting year.
Requirements for Louisiana LSSP Licensure
Louisiana law establishes several requirements for the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology credential.
- A school specialist degree from a NASP-approved program or equivalent;
- A 1,200-hour, nine-month internship;
- At least 600 internship hours in a school setting;
- Three years of supervised experience as a certified school psychologist within the public school system;
- Passing the Nationally Certified School Psychologist examination; and
- Demonstrating knowledge of Louisiana psychology laws and rules.
Louisiana School Psychology Credential Comparison
Online Continuing Education for Louisiana School Psychologists & LSSPs
Child & School Psychology CE provides self-paced professional development developed specifically for school psychologists and related professionals.
Courses address assessment, intervention, behavior, ethics, special education law, Section 504, student mental health, data-based decision making, and evidence-based school psychology practice.
We are a NASP Approved Provider, Provider #1152. Louisiana LSSP rules specifically recognize NASP-approved sponsors as acceptable continuing education sponsors.
Qualifying courses may therefore be useful for both Louisiana LSSP continuing professional development and NCSP renewal, provided all applicable course, content, and documentation requirements are met.
View Online CE CoursesMaintaining Your NCSP?
The NCSP is especially important in Louisiana because, beginning January 1, 2025, a current NCSP is the credential Louisiana uses to recognize newly qualifying school psychologists for school-based practice.
Maintaining the NCSP therefore serves both the national credential and Louisiana's current school-based certification structure.
View NCSP CPD RequirementsOfficial Louisiana Resources
Louisiana recently changed its school psychologist certification system, so school psychologists should verify current requirements for their particular credential before relying on renewal information.
- Louisiana Department of Education – School Psychologist Certification Change
- Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists – License Renewal Guidance
- Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
- Louisiana R.S. 37:2356.3 – Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
- Louisiana R.S. 37:2357 – License Renewal
Requirements reviewed September 2026. This page is provided for informational purposes and is not a substitute for current guidance from the Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, or NASP.