NC H588

School psychologists receive $650/month salary supplement plus 12% monthly salary bonus for those with Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential, with $8.1 million appropriated for FY 2025-2026

$5 million establishes the School Psychologists Grant Program providing signing bonuses up to $5,000 to recruit school psychologists, prioritizing schools without a full-time school psychologist and requiring one-year employment commitment

$5 million creates an internship program providing 10-month stipends at beginning school psychologist salary for full-time students, with field supervisors receiving $500-$1,200 lump sum supplements

$5 million in nonrecurring funds allocated to Appalachian State University for a virtual school psychology training program in Hickory, plus $1.6 million recurring to five UNC institutions to double school psychologist graduates

North Carolina joins the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact, enabling licensed school psychologists from member states to obtain equivalent licenses without duplicative requirements, with the State Board of Education serving as the licensing authority