Maintaining your Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential is a mark of professionalism and commitment to best practice. But when it’s time to renew, many school psychologists find themselves asking: What actually counts toward my hours?
In this post, we’ll break down the NCSP renewal requirements, highlight examples of NASP-approved PD, and clarify which activities qualify for school psychologist CEUs—and which don’t.
The Basics: NCSP Renewal Requirements
To keep your NCSP current, you need to earn 75 professional development (PD) hours every three years. Within those hours:
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At least 10 hours must be in ethics or legal regulation of school psychology.
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All hours must align with NASP’s Domains of Practice, ensuring your training is directly tied to the professional standards of school psychology.
Your PD must also be documented with certificates, transcripts, or official verification.
What Counts as NASP-Approved PD
Not all professional learning experiences will count. To qualify, PD must come from NASP-approved providers or be pre-approved through specific categories NASP recognizes. Here are the most common examples:
✅ Approved Activities That Count
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NASP-approved PD courses (online or in-person)
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University or college coursework relevant to school psychology
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In-service trainings provided by school districts (if aligned with NASP standards)
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Workshops and conferences sponsored by state school psychology associations
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Online professional development programs that provide school psychologist CEUs
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Research or scholarly presentations at professional conferences (with documentation)
Each of these activities comes with a clear certificate of completion or transcript that you can submit for verification.
What Doesn’t Count Toward Renewal
It’s just as important to know what doesn’t count for NCSP renewal. NASP is clear that professional development must directly advance your competence as a school psychologist. Activities that typically do not qualify include:
❌ Non-Approved Activities
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General teaching or staff meetings that lack clear learning objectives
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Informal book clubs or discussion groups (unless officially structured and documented as PD)
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Volunteer service hours without a training component
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Personal therapy, coaching, or unrelated wellness activities
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Trainings outside the scope of school psychology practice (e.g., unrelated tech tutorials, general classroom PD without application to psychology)
The Importance of Documentation
NASP requires you to retain records of your PD for at least three years, in case of an audit. Documentation should include:
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Provider name
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Course or training title
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Date completed
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Number of hours earned
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Certificate of completion or transcript
Pro Tip: Keep a digital folder labeled by renewal cycle so you never have to scramble for paperwork at the last minute.
Maximizing Your CEUs Strategically
When choosing your school psychologist CEUs, think beyond just meeting the minimum hours. Consider:
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Balance: Mix ethics/legal hours with high-interest topics like trauma-informed care or executive functioning.
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Relevance: Choose courses that directly apply to your current school setting.
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Efficiency: Online NASP-approved PD allows you to fit learning into your schedule while ensuring hours count toward renewal.
Final Thoughts
Navigating NCSP renewal requirements doesn’t have to be confusing. By focusing on NASP-approved PD and tracking your hours carefully, you can ensure your professional development not only meets the standard but also enhances your daily practice.
The key takeaway: if the training directly supports your role as a school psychologist and is provided by an approved source, it’s likely to count. If in doubt, check NASP’s guidelines—or opt for trusted providers that specialize in school psychologist CEUs.