In Illinois, licensure as a school psychologist requires:

  • a master's degree or higher in psychology or educational psychology with a specialization in school psychology from a regionally accredited institution;
  • 250 hours of practicum in a school setting or child study center; and,
  • a 1200 contact hour internship lasting a full school year under the direction of a credentialed school psychologist.

Applicants are also required to pass the School Psychologist (#183) test, as well as the test of basic skills. Applicants who hold a valid school psychologist credential from another state are assumed to have passed a test of basic skills and are exempt from the Illinois Basic Skills test.

For more information contact:

Illinois State Board of Education
100 North 1st Street, Springfield, IL 62777
Toll Free: 866.262.6663, Phone: 217.782.4321

License renewal is required every 5 years. Holding the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential will satisfy the requirements for renewal. School psychologists without the NCSP must complete 80 continuing professional development units (CPDUs). National Association of School Psychologists approved continuing professional development credits are accepted toward renewal.

For more information contact:

The National Association of School Psychologists
4340 East West Highway, Suite 402, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Toll Free: 866.331.6277, Phone: 301.657.0270, Fax: 301.657.0275
E-mail: cert@naspweb.org