As the role of school psychologists continues to evolve, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has strengthened its commitment to culturally responsive, equitable, and inclusive practice. As part of this commitment, NASP now requires Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)–focused continuing professional development (CPD) hours for NCSP renewal.
If you are planning for your next renewal cycle, here is exactly what the EDI requirement means, who it applies to, and how to meet it with confidence.
What Is the EDI Requirement for NCSP Renewal?
Beginning July 1, 2024, NASP requires all Nationally Certified School Psychologists (NCSPs) to complete:
✔ 3 CPD hours specifically focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
These hours count toward the total 75 CPD hours required for NCSP renewal within the 3-year renewal cycle.
This requirement reflects NASP’s position that equitable and culturally responsive practice is not optional—it is foundational to ethical and effective school psychology.
Why NASP Added an EDI Requirement
School psychologists work in increasingly diverse school communities. Students, families, and educators bring varied cultural identities, languages, lived experiences, and systemic challenges into educational environments.
The EDI CPD requirement ensures that school psychologists:
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Remain informed about systemic inequities affecting students
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Strengthen culturally responsive assessment and intervention practices
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Examine bias, power, and privilege in school systems
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Promote equity and inclusion in decision-making and service delivery
By formalizing this requirement, NASP reinforces that equity-centered practice is a professional responsibility—not an optional specialization.
What Counts as EDI CPD Hours?
To meet the EDI requirement, CPD activities must explicitly focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, or social justice as they relate to school psychology practice.
Examples of qualifying EDI topics include:
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Cultural humility and culturally responsive practice
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Addressing disproportionality in special education
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Bias in assessment, discipline, or intervention decisions
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Supporting multilingual learners and diverse family systems
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Equity-focused MTSS or systems-level practices
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Social justice frameworks in school psychology
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Disability, race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality
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Trauma-informed and equity-informed mental health supports
The content should be clearly relevant to school-based practice, not general DEI training unrelated to psychology or education.
Do the EDI Hours Need to Be NASP-Approved?
The EDI hours do not have to be NASP-approved, as long as:
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The content aligns with NASP’s CPD guidelines
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The training is relevant to professional school psychology practice
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You can document completion with a certificate or verification
However, many school psychologists choose NASP-aligned or school-psychology-specific providers to ensure clarity and audit readiness.
How the EDI Requirement Fits Into NCSP Renewal
Here’s how the EDI requirement fits into the larger renewal framework:
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75 total CPD hours every 3 years
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At least 10 hours from NASP- or APA-approved providers
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At least 3 hours in ethics/legal regulation
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At least 3 hours in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)
The EDI hours are not additional hours—they are part of the existing 75-hour requirement.
Documentation and Audits
As with all CPD activities, NCSPs should:
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Keep certificates of completion
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Maintain clear records of course titles, providers, and learning objectives
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Be prepared to verify EDI content if selected for a NASP audit
Best practice is to label EDI courses clearly in your personal CPD tracking system.
Who Must Meet the EDI Requirement?
The EDI requirement applies to:
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All NCSPs renewing on or after July 1, 2024
If your renewal cycle spans this date, the requirement applies to your current renewal period.
Why This Matters for School Psychologists
Beyond compliance, EDI-focused professional development strengthens practice by helping school psychologists:
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Make more equitable assessment decisions
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Improve family collaboration and trust
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Design interventions that respect cultural and contextual factors
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Address systemic barriers impacting student outcomes
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Align daily practice with NASP ethical principles
In short, EDI CPD supports better outcomes for students, families, and school communities.
Plan Early and Be Intentional
The easiest way to meet the EDI requirement is to:
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Include at least one EDI-focused course in each renewal cycle
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Choose training designed specifically for school psychologists
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Track EDI hours intentionally rather than retroactively
By planning ahead, the requirement becomes an opportunity for meaningful professional growth—not a last-minute checkbox.
Final Takeaway
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion CPD requirement is now a core part of NCSP renewal. Completing 3 EDI-focused hours ensures school psychologists remain equipped to serve diverse students ethically, effectively, and responsively.
Staying current in EDI is not just about renewal—it’s about strengthening the impact of school psychology practice in today’s schools.