HB 249 Summary

• Establishes licensure program for school psychologists to be administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, making Hawaii the first state to create such certification.

• Creates two types of licenses: initial school psychologist license (valid for 3 years) requiring master's degree in behavioral sciences, completion of approved school psychology program or NASP certification, and passage of ethics/civil rights exam; and continuing license (valid for 5 years) requiring 5 years of school psychology experience plus additional competency validation.

• Licensed school psychologists are authorized to provide academic enhancement services, design behavioral/adjustment programs, conduct psychoeducational assessments, provide psychological counseling, and coordinate crisis intervention strategies.

• Exempts school psychologists employed by educational institutions and practicing only within school settings from licensure under Hawaii's general psychologist licensing law (Chapter 465, HRS).

• Effective date: July 1, 2050.