Washington School Psychologist Continuing Education Requirements
Review current Washington school psychologist ESA certificate renewal requirements, clock hours, NCSP renewal options, suicide prevention training, qualifying professional development, and online continuing education.
Washington School Psychologist Renewal at a Glance
Clock Hours
Washington ESA certificate renewal generally requires 100 approved clock hours or equivalent professional development.
Year Certificate Cycle
A reissued or renewable ESA certificate is generally valid for five years.
Alternative to 100 Hours
A valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential may be submitted instead of completing the 100-hour renewal requirement.
OSPI allows a school psychologist to renew a five-year ESA certificate by completing 100 clock hours or equivalents, or by submitting a valid NCSP credential issued by the National Association of School Psychologists.
Washington School Psychologist Renewal Overview
How Are Washington School Psychologists Credentialed?
Washington school psychologists are credentialed through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction as Educational Staff Associates.
Washington offers Residency and Professional ESA certificates for school psychologists. A first-issue Residency ESA certificate generally does not receive an expiration date until the school psychologist completes the required Washington service.
After completing two years of service in the school psychologist role in Washington, the educator applies to have the Residency certificate reissued. The reissued certificate is then valid for five years.
Washington Credential
Reissuing the Initial School Psychologist Certificate
A first-issue Residency ESA School Psychologist certificate follows a different process than an ordinary five-year renewal.
Washington Requires 100 Clock Hours or Equivalents
A school psychologist renewing an eligible five-year ESA certificate generally completes 100 approved clock hours or equivalents.
Washington recognizes several equivalent forms of professional learning, including approved clock-hour courses and qualifying college or university credit.
Professional development should be completed and documented before the certificate expires.
Renewal Options
Can the NCSP Satisfy Washington School Psychologist Renewal?
OSPI allows a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential issued by NASP to be submitted in lieu of the 100 clock hours normally required for five-year renewal.
This creates a strong connection between NASP continuing professional development and Washington school psychologist certification. School psychologists who maintain their NCSP can use that valid national credential to satisfy the state's general professional development requirement for renewal.
NASP Approved Provider #1152
Suicide Prevention Training
School psychologists have an additional Washington-specific renewal requirement related to suicide prevention.
When renewing an applicable ESA certificate, a school psychologist must confirm completion of a suicide prevention training approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board or Washington State Department of Health.
The qualifying training must have been completed within the previous five years.
What Can Count Toward Washington Clock Hours?
Washington recognizes several types of continuing professional development toward educator-certificate renewal.
Understanding NASP Approval vs. Washington Clock Hours
Washington explicitly recognizes the NCSP credential for renewal, but individual professional-development courses generally need to fall within one of Washington's accepted clock-hour or equivalent categories to be entered as state renewal hours.
NASP-approved courses are valuable for maintaining the NCSP and professional competence, but NASP Approved Provider status alone should not be described as making every course a Washington-approved clock-hour course.
If a Washington school psychologist uses Child & School Psychology CE courses to maintain the NCSP, the resulting valid NCSP credential may then be used in place of the 100 Washington clock hours for eligible ESA renewal.
NASP Approved Provider #1152
Can Washington School Psychologists Take Online CE Courses?
Yes. Washington recognizes online professional learning when the activity satisfies the applicable clock-hour, credit, national-certification, or other approved-equivalent requirements.
Child & School Psychology CE provides structured, asynchronous continuing education designed specifically for school psychologists and related professionals.
NASP-approved courses can support NCSP renewal, and a valid NCSP may in turn satisfy Washington's general 100-hour ESA renewal requirement.
Online CE for School Psychologists
Explore self-paced professional development in assessment, behavior, mental health, ethics, legal issues, data-based decision making, and school psychology practice.
Browse CE CoursesWashington Psychologist Licensure Has Separate CE Requirements
Washington ESA School Psychologist certification through OSPI is separate from psychologist licensure issued by the Washington State Department of Health.
Washington licensed psychologists must complete 60 hours of continuing education every three years.
The 60-hour requirement includes at least 4 hours in ethics and 2 hours in health equity.
Psychologists also have a jurisprudence examination requirement associated with the first CE cycle under current rules and must complete 6 hours of approved suicide prevention training every six years.
Keep Documentation of Completed Professional Development
Washington educators should retain documentation of professional development, national certification, and required trainings used toward ESA certificate renewal.
Your NCSP Can Directly Support Washington Renewal
Unlike many states where the NCSP and state renewal operate independently, Washington expressly allows a valid NCSP to be submitted instead of the normal 100-clock-hour professional development requirement for eligible ESA renewal.
Official Washington Certification Information
School psychologist certification and continuing education requirements are administered by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Certificate holders should review the requirements associated with their specific ESA certificate before applying for renewal.
View Washington Five-Year Certificate Renewal Information ↗