A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT directing the State board of education to grant a license to practice as a school psychologist to any individuals who hold the nationally certified school psychologist credential, as recommended by the house select committee on School Safety.
Whereas, school psychologists perform essential services for the social, emotional, and mental health of students throughout North Carolina; and
Whereas, the number of school psychologists in the State has been steadily declining since the 2013‑2014 academic year; and
Whereas, one reason the State faces a shortage of school psychologists is the lack of reciprocity granted to individuals who are licensed as school psychologists in other states and may wish to practice in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the standards to receive a Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from the National Association of School Psychologists are at least as stringent as the standards the State currently requires for licensure as a school psychologist; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 115C‑270.20(b) is repealed.
SECTION 1.(b)  The catch line of G.S. 115C‑270.20 reads as rewritten:  
"§ 115C‑270.20.  Teacher licensure requirements."
SECTION 2.  Article 17E of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 115C‑270.21.  Administrator and student services personnel licensure requirements.
(a)	Administrators. – The State Board shall establish classification and levels of preparation necessary for issuance of licenses for administrators, as provided in this Chapter.
(b)	Student Services Personnel. – The State Board shall establish classification and levels of preparation necessary for issuance of licenses for student services personnel, as provided in this Article.
The State Board of Education shall issue a school psychologist license to an individual who does any of the following: (i) meets the criteria for licensure as a school psychologist established by the State Board or (ii) holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential issued by the National Association of School Psychologists."
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to applications for licensure submitted on or after that date.