California School Psychologist Continuing Education Requirements
California school psychologists typically practice in public schools under the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Psychology. The PPS credential itself does not require continuing education for renewal. Separate continuing education requirements apply to school psychologists who also hold the California Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) license or the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential.
California School Psychologist Requirements at a Glance
PPS School Psychology Credential: No CE Requirement
The Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a specialization in School Psychology is the California credential that authorizes school psychology services in public schools.
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing states that clear teaching and services credentials may be renewed without additional coursework or service requirements.
This means a school psychologist who holds only a clear PPS School Psychology credential does not have to complete a set number of CE, CPD, or professional development hours in order to renew that credential.
PPS Renewal
No continuing education hours required.
The clear credential is renewed through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's renewal process.
California Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) Continuing Education
California school psychologists who also hold the Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) license have a separate continuing education requirement administered by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
LEPs must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
Courses must be relevant to educational psychology and must come from a provider accepted under California Board of Behavioral Sciences continuing education rules.
California LEP Continuing Education Requirements
Types of LEP Continuing Education
Total CE
LEPs must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
Law & Ethics
Six hours of California law and ethics are required during every renewal period and count toward the 36-hour total.
Suicide Risk Assessment & Intervention
One-time requirement for applicable licensees who renew or reactivate after January 1, 2021.
Telehealth
One-time training covering provision of mental health services via telehealth, including applicable law and ethics.
Child Abuse Assessment & Reporting
LEPs have a seven-hour child abuse assessment and reporting requirement associated with the first license renewal.
Alcoholism & Chemical Substance Dependency
LEPs have a 15-hour alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency requirement associated with the first renewal.
Understanding California LEP Continuing Education Requirements
Yes. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences recognizes the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) as a continuing education approval agency.
A provider approved by a Board-recognized approval agency is an acceptable type of CE provider under BBS rules. The course must also be relevant to the scope of practice of the LEP.
Child & School Psychology CE
Child & School Psychology CE is a NASP Approved Provider, Provider #1152.
Because the California Board of Behavioral Sciences recognizes NASP as a CE approval agency, qualifying courses from a NASP-approved provider may count toward the California LEP continuing education requirement when the course content is relevant to educational psychology and meets applicable BBS requirements.
What Course Content Can Count for an LEP?
California requires LEP continuing education to be relevant to the practice of educational psychology. Course content should develop or maintain professional competence within the LEP scope of practice.
- Psychoeducational assessment
- Academic intervention
- Behavior assessment and intervention
- Special education law
- Section 504
- Educational psychology ethics
- Data-based decision making
- School mental and behavioral health
- Consultation and collaboration
- Suicide risk assessment
- Telehealth practice
- Trauma-informed practice
- Evidence-based intervention
- Professional educational psychology practice
Other Ways LEPs May Earn Continuing Education
California BBS permits CE through several types of accepted providers and professional learning activities.
NCSP Continuing Professional Development
The NCSP is separate from both the California PPS credential and California LEP license.
Nationally Certified School Psychologists currently complete 75 CPD hours during each 36-month renewal cycle, subject to NASP's current category and content requirements.
A California school psychologist who holds the PPS, LEP, and NCSP may therefore have three different credentialing considerations:
Can Online Self-Study Courses Count?
BBS permits continuing education from Board-accepted providers, including providers approved through recognized approval agencies such as NASP. The course must be relevant to the LEP scope of practice and comply with applicable BBS continuing education requirements.
LEPs should retain completion certificates and supporting records in case they are selected for a BBS continuing education audit.
Online Continuing Education for California School Psychologists & LEPs
Child & School Psychology CE provides self-paced professional development designed specifically for school psychologists, educational psychologists, and related professionals.
Courses address ethics, legal issues, assessment, behavior, intervention, student mental health, data-based decision making, and evidence-based school psychology practice.
We are a NASP Approved Provider, Provider #1152. NASP is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a continuing education approval agency.
View Online CE CoursesAlso Maintaining Your NCSP?
California PPS renewal does not require CE, but LEP and NCSP credentials have separate continuing education requirements. Some qualifying professional development may be able to support both LEP and NCSP renewal when it meets the requirements of each.
View NCSP CPD RequirementsOfficial California Resources
Credential and licensure requirements can change. School psychologists should verify current requirements with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and NASP as applicable.
- California CTC – Renewal and Reissuance of Credentials
- California CTC – PPS School Psychology Credential
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences – Continuing Education
- California BBS – CE Requirements Summary
Requirements reviewed September 2026. This page is provided for informational purposes and is not a substitute for current guidance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, California Board of Behavioral Sciences, or NASP.