§2356.3. Specialist in school psychology; licensure; scope of practice

            A.(1) The board shall issue a license as a specialist in school psychology to any person who files an application upon a form and in such a manner as the board prescribes, accompanied by the fee required by this Chapter, and who furnishes evidence to the board that, except as otherwise required by law, the person meets all of the following criteria:

            (a) Is at least twenty-one years of age.

            (b) Is of good moral character.

            (c) Is a citizen of the United States or has declared his intention to become a citizen. A statement by the person under oath that he is a citizen or that he intends to apply for citizenship when he becomes eligible to make such application shall be sufficient proof of compliance with the requirement of this Paragraph.

            (d) Is not in violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter and the rules and regulations adopted by the board.

            (e) Has completed a school specialist degree from a National Association of School Psychologists approved program or equivalent.

            (f) Has completed a one-thousand-two-hundred-hour, nine-month internship under the supervision of a certified school psychologist in a school setting or by a licensed psychologist in a community setting. Of the one thousand two hundred hours, six hundred hours shall be completed in a school setting.

            (g) Has completed three years of supervised experience as a certified school psychologist within the public school system.

            (h) Has passed the Nationally Certified School Psychologist examination.

            (i) Has demonstrated professional knowledge of laws and rules regarding the practice of psychology in Louisiana.

            (2) If the board reasonably believes that a person applying for a license or for a renewal of a license is not physically and mentally competent to render psychological services with reasonable skill and safety to his patients, or is afflicted with a disease or condition, either physical or mental, that would impair his competency to render psychological services, the board may request that the person submit to a physical examination by a medical doctor approved by the board or a mental health examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist approved by the board. If the person refuses to submit to the examination, the board, after contradictory hearing and upon finding reasonable cause, may issue an order requiring the person to submit to the physical or mental health examination. A person who is ordered to submit to a physical or mental health examination shall not be eligible for licensure or renewal of license prior to such examination. Proceedings pursuant to this Paragraph shall be conducted in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

            B.(1)(a) A licensed specialist in school psychology, who is engaged in such practice, may practice independently as a contractor of a public, private, or charter school.

            (b) A licensed specialist in school psychology who is engaged in such practice and working outside of the school system shall be required to do so under the clinical supervision of a licensed psychologist or a medical psychologist licensed in accordance with R.S. 37:1360.51 et seq. The licensed psychologist or medical psychologist shall be administratively, clinically, and legally responsible for all professional activities of the licensed specialist in school psychology, and the licensed psychologist or medical psychologist shall be required to sign any final reports prepared by the licensed specialist in school psychology.

            (2)(a) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to limit in any way the duties and responsibilities of a school psychologist certified by the state Department of Education.

            (b) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a licensed psychologist from providing services within a school provided such services are within the psychologist's area of competence.

            Acts 2014, No. 136, §1; Acts 2022, No. 271, §2.