1. 1. Rationale. This Rule highlights those elements distinctive to the School Psychology program. The standards are consistent with the current Praxis Test requirements for School Psychologist. Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.

2. 2. Program Curriculum. The curriculum shall require coursework, key assessments, and field experiences.

   1. a. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop content knowledge in School Psychology. Programs will ensure that candidates know and understand the following:

      1. i. Professional practices that permeate all aspects of service delivery (data-based decision-making).
      2. ii. Direct and indirect services for children, families, and schools (student-level services).
      3. iii. Direct and indirect services for children, families, and schools (systems-level services).
      4. iv. Foundations of school psychological service delivery.
   2. b. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to enhance their data-based decision making and accountability strategies.
   3. c. Prior to program completion candidates will practice using direct and indirect services.

   4. d. Unique Field Experiences, Practica, and Internship Placement Requirements.

      1. i. To the extent possible, field experiences should allow candidates the opportunity to practice in Professional practices that permeate all aspects of service delivery:

         1. a. Data-based decision-making, direct and indirect services for children, families, and schools (student-level services).
         2. b. Direct and indirect services for children, families, and schools (systems-level services).
         3. c. The foundations of school psychological service delivery.
      2. ii. A supervised P-12 internship of at least 300 clock hours.

3. 3. Requirements for Certification in School Psychology. Readiness to serve as a school psychologist shall include:

   1. a. Valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in school psychometry, school psychology, or special education.
   2. b. An official transcript from an accredited institution documenting an earned education specialist degree. The institution must have been approved at the time of degree conferral.
   3. c. A Survey of Special Education course is required if not previously completed. The course may not be older than 10 years unless the candidate has teaching experience within the last 5 years, or he/she used the course for prior level certification.
   4. d. Completion of an internship.
   5. e. Satisfactory completion of a school psychology program approved by the Alabama State Board of Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all courses in the program as verified on an official transcript.
4. 4. Testing for Certification in School Psychology. Applicants for initial certification in school psychology through the completion of a Class AA program must meet testing requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) as a precondition for certification.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16 and 16-23-14.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .43 was renumbered .44 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: Filed December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Amended: Filed March 14, 2002; effective April 18, 2002. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.