License—Psychologist
Granting authority
The West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists
P.O. Box 3955
Charleston, WV 25339
(304) 558-3040
(304) 558-0608 fax
Email the Board
Statutory/regulatory authority
Statutory—WV Code, Chapter 30, Article 21opens in new window
Regulatory—17 CSR 3 (Code of State Regulations)
17 CSR 3 (Code of State Regulations)opens in new window
Minimum degree required
PhD or its equivalent. The Board or its Committee shall evaluate all equivalency applications.
At least half of the doctoral courses completed for credit beyond the masters degree shall be clearly identified by title and course content as being psychological in nature, and must be shown to have been taught by a psychologist. The Board may interpret a specific course to be psychological in nature even though it is not labeled as a psychology course. The Board shall render this opinion if it believes that the course is psychological in content and it has been taught by a psychologist.
The doctoral degree course study in psychology shall include a pre-doctoral or post-doctoral internship approved by the American Psychological Association or its equivalent.
CPQ accepted?
As of 2003—In process of accepting CPQ (voted to accept CPQ and are in process of making legislative or administrative changes necessary for implementation.)
Examinations required
EPPP and an oral exam
Scope of practice
WV Code §30-21-2. Definitions.
(d) “Psychology” means the science involving the principles, methods and procedures of understanding, predicting and influencing behavior; the principles pertaining to learning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions and interpersonal relationships; the methods and procedures of interviewing and counseling; the methods and procedures of psychotherapy, meaning the use of learning, conditioning methods and emotional reactions, in a professional relationship, to assist a person or persons to modify feelings, attitudes and behavior, which are intellectually, socially or emotionally maladjustive or ineffectual; the constructing, administering and interpreting of tests of intelligence, special abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotions and motivation; the psychological evaluation, prevention and improvements of adjustment problems of individuals and groups; and the resolution of interpersonal and social conflicts.
(e) “Practice of psychology” means the rendering or offering to render for a fee, salary or other compensation, monetary or otherwise, any psychological service involving:
(i) The application of the principles, methods and procedures of understanding, predicting and influencing behavior;
(ii) the application of the principles pertaining to learning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions and interpersonal relationships;
(iii) the application of the methods and procedures of interviewing and counseling;
(iv) the application of the methods and procedures of psychotherapy, meaning the use of learning, conditioning methods and emotional reactions, in a professional relationship, to assist a person or persons to modify feelings, attitudes and behavior, which are intellectually, socially or emotionally maladjustive or ineffectual;
(v) the constructing, administering and interpreting of tests of intelligence, special abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotions and motivation;
(vi) the psychological evaluation, prevention and improvement of adjustment problems of individuals and groups; and
(vii) the resolution of interpersonal and social conflicts.
However, for the purpose of this article, the term “practice of psychology” shall not include:
(1) Teaching, lecturing or engaging in research in psychology as part of salaried employment at an institution of higher learning;
(2) The official duties of a person employed as a psychologist by the state of West Virginia or any of its departments, agencies, divisions or bureaus, or local governments, except for the West Virginia department of education, a county board of education, or a regional education agency, which duties are performed under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee;
(3) The official duties of a person employed as a psychologist by any department, agency, division or bureau of the United States of America;
(4) The official duties of a person working under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee for the purpose of gaining the experience required for a license hereunder by the provisions of subdivision (4), subsection (a), section seven of this article, which experience is of a type approved by the board;
(5) The use, in good faith, of certain psychological techniques, procedures, methods and principles as an incident to engaging in a recognized occupation or profession, other than the practice of psychology, including, but not limited to, the occupation or profession of a physician, lawyer, dentist, social worker, sociologist, political scientist, economist, probation or parole officer, rehabilitation or marriage counselor, clergyman, audiologist, speech pathologist, teacher, educational or guidance counselor and a placement or personnel director;
(6) The activities of a student of psychology, psychological intern or psychological resident, which activities are a part of and are engaged in pursuant to a course of study at an institution of higher learning; or
(7) The activities of an assistant or technician which are performed under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee.
WV Code §30-21-3. License required; firms, associations and corporations engaging in the practice of psychology.
(a) No person shall engage in, offer to engage in, or hold himself out to the public as being engaged in, the practice of psychology in this state, nor shall any person use in connection with any trade, business, profession or occupation, except in those instances specifically excluded from the definition of the practice of psychology by subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (6), subdivision (e), section two of this article, the word “psychologist,” “psychology,” “psychological” or any other title, word or abbreviation which induces or tends to induce the belief that such person is qualified to engage or is engaged in the practice of psychology, unless and until he shall first obtain a license or temporary permit to engage in the practice of psychology in accordance with the provisions of this article, which license or temporary permit remains unexpired, unsuspended and unrevoked: Provided, That such license or temporary permit shall not be required for an individual who is the holder of a school psychology certificate issued by the West Virginia department of education and who is engaged in the practice of school psychology solely within the scope of employment as a school board employee
License—Level I School Psychologist (Licensed School Psychologist)
Granting authority
West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists
P.O. Box 3955
Charleston, WV 25339
(304)558-3040
(304)558-0608 fax
Email the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologistsopens in new window
The West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologistopens in new window
Statutory/regulatory authority
Statutory—WV Code, Chapter 30, Article 21opens in new window
Regulatory—17 CSR 3 (Code of State Regulations)opens in new window
Minimum degree required
Master’s in school psychology
Examinations required
PRAXIS II and an oral exam
Scope of practice
WV Code §30-21-2(n) provides that a Level I school psychologist shall provide his or her services on school property. School property includes buildings or office space which is owned, rented, or leased by the county school board or the West Virginia Board of Education. It also includes donated office space or buildings and private or parochial school facilities. This rule does not prohibit a Level I School Psychologist from providing school psychology services in the student's home (i.e., home bound services) when the services are part of the school psychologist's contract with the school board.
WV Code §30-21-2. Definitions.
(n) “Licensed school psychologist” means a school psychologist who provides school psychology services on school board property and is a school board employee or contractee;
WV Code §17-3-13. Supervision Requirements for School Psychologist Applicants.
13.7. A person who is certified as a school psychologist by the West Virginia State Board of Education and who is a full time employee of a local school board, need not be licensed as a Level I or Level II school psychologist. However, these individuals shall not refer to themselves as “licensed” nor may they offer services under contract to any other county school board nor shall they offer school psychology services on a private or independent practice basis.
WV Code §30-21-2. Definitions.
(g) “School psychological services” means the activities which school psychologists may engage in to promote mental health and to facilitate the education of school age children, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) Consultation, which includes collaboration with individuals and groups of school personnel, parents, families and representatives of community agencies;
(B) Psychological and psychoeducational assessment, which includes the gathering, interpreting and communicating of information derived from the assessment process which relates to learning and behavior;
(C) Intervention, which includes individual and group counseling, behavioral intervention and crisis intervention;
(D) Education, which includes parent training, school inservice and community education;
(E) Facilitation, which includes assisting in developing useful communication between diverse groups of people separated by institutional, bureaucratic, educational or other barriers;
(F) Research, which includes designing, reporting and utilizing the results of research of a psychological nature;
(G) Program planning and evaluation, which includes program development, program implementation, program evaluation and problem solving for organizational decision making;
(H) Supervision, which includes the supervision of intern school psychologists, other school psychologists and personnel contracted to provide either psychological or psychoeducational assessment data;
However, for the purpose of this article, the term “practice of school psychology” shall not include:
(1) The activities of clinical, counseling, child, industrial, health, and other types of psychology which the board determines to be outside the scope of school psychology activities;
(2) Teaching, lecturing or engaging in research in school psychology as part of salaried employment at an institution of higher learning;
(3) The official duties of a person employed as a school psychologist by the state of West Virginia or any of its departments, agencies, divisions or bureaus, or local governments, except for the West Virginia department of education, a county board of education, or a regional education service agency, which duties are performed under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee;
(4) The official duties of a person employed as a school psychologist by any department, agency, division or bureau of the United States of America;
(5) The official duties of a school psychologist working under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee for the purpose of gaining the experience required for a license hereunder by the provisions of subdivision (4), subsection (a), section seven of this article, which experience is of a type approved by the board;
(6) The use, in good faith, of certain psychological techniques, procedures, methods and principles as an incident to engaging in a recognized occupation or profession, other than the practice of school psychology, including, but not limited to, the occupation or profession of a physician, lawyer, dentist, social worker, sociologist, political scientist, economist, probation or parole officer, rehabilitation or marriage counselor, clergyman, audiologist, speech pathologist, teacher, educational or guidance counselor and placement or personnel director;
(7) The activities of a student of school psychology, school psychological intern or extern, which activities are a part of and are engaged in pursuant to a course of study at an institution of higher learning;
(8) The activities of an assistant or technician which are performed under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee.
(h) “Practice of school psychology” means the rendering or offering to render for a fee, salary or other compensation to an individual or to the public school psychological services as defined in this article;
(i) “School psychologist” means any person who proposes to provide school psychological services as defined herein, to the public and in so doing claims to have the knowledge, training, expertise and ethical standards necessary to engage in such practice;
(j) “School board” means a West Virginia county school board and also means the West Virginia department of education, or a regional educational service agency;
(k) “School board employee” means any person who provides services for the school board and is reimbursed via a salary and benefits and who has met the educational requirements under the state law and regulations of the West Virginia board of education to be certified or otherwise empowered by the state superintendent of schools to provide school psychological services for school boards;
(l) “School board contractee” means any person who provides services for one or more school boards and is reimbursed on a per evaluation, per unit of service, or some other contract basis;
WV Code §30-21-3. License required; firms, associations and corporations engaging in the practice of psychology, under Psychologist license
(a) No person shall engage in, offer to engage in, or hold himself out to the public as being engaged in, the practice of psychology in this state, nor shall any person use in connection with any trade, business, profession or occupation, except in those instances specifically excluded from the definition of the practice of psychology by subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (6), subdivision (e), section two of this article, the word “psychologist,” “psychology,” “psychological” or any other title, word or abbreviation which induces or tends to induce the belief that such person is qualified to engage or is engaged in the practice of psychology, unless and until he shall first obtain a license or temporary permit to engage in the practice of psychology in accordance with the provisions of this article, which license or temporary permit remains unexpired, unsuspended and unrevoked: Provided, That such license or temporary permit shall not be required for an individual who is the holder of a school psychology certificate issued by the West Virginia department of education and who is engaged in the practice of school psychology solely within the scope of employment as a school board employee:
License—Level II School Psychologist (Licensed School Psychologist Independent Practitioner)
Granting authority
The West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologistsopens in new window
P.O. Box 3955
Charleston, WV 25339
(304)558-3040
(304)558-0608 fax
Email the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologistsopens in new window
Statutory/regulatory authority
Statutory—WV Code, Chapter 30, Article 21opens in new window
Regulatory—17 CSR 3 (Code of State Regulations)
17 CSR 3 (Code of State Regulations)opens in new window
Minimum requirements
Meet all the minimum requirements for eligibility as a licensed school psychologist
Complete an additional two years of board approved supervision by a licensed school psychologist
Examinations required
PRAXIS II and oral exam
Scope
WV Code §30-21-2. Definitions.
(o) “Licensed school psychologist independent practitioners” means a school psychologist who provides school psychology services to an individual or the public on school board or nonschool board property, and provide such services for a fee or other compensation, or as a school board employee or contractee.
WV Code §17-3-13. Supervision Requirements for School Psychologist Applicants.
13.7. A person who is certified as a school psychologist by the West Virginia State Board of Education and who is a full time employee of a local school board, need not be licensed as a Level I or Level II school psychologist. However, these individuals shall not refer to themselves as “licensed” nor may they offer services under contract to any other county school board nor shall they offer school psychology services on a private or independent practice basis.
WV Code §30-21-2. Definitions.
(g) “School psychological services” means the activities which school psychologists may engage in to promote mental health and to facilitate the education of school age children, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
(A) Consultation, which includes collaboration with individuals and groups of school personnel, parents, families and representatives of community agencies:
(B) Psychological and psychoeducational assessment, which includes the gathering, interpreting and communicating of information derived from the assessment process which relates to learning and behavior;
(C) Intervention, which includes individual and group counseling, behavioral intervention and crisis intervention;
(D) Education, which includes parent training, school inservice and community education;
(E) Facilitation, which includes assisting in developing useful communication between diverse groups of people separated by institutional, bureaucratic, educational or other barriers;
(F) Research, which includes designing, reporting and utilizing the results of research of a psychological nature;
(G) Program planning and evaluation, which includes program development, program implementation, program evaluation and problem solving for organizational decision making;
(H) Supervision, which includes the supervision of intern school psychologists, other school psychologists and personnel contracted to provide either psychological or psychoeducational assessment data;
However, for the purpose of this article, the term “practice of school psychology” shall not include:
(1) The activities of clinical, counseling, child, industrial, health, and other types of psychology which the board determines to be outside the scope of school psychology activities;
(2) Teaching, lecturing or engaging in research in school psychology as part of salaried employment at an institution of higher learning;
(3) The official duties of a person employed as a school psychologist by the state of West Virginia or any of its departments, agencies, divisions or bureaus, or local governments, except for the West Virginia department of education, a county board of education, or a regional education service agency, which duties are performed under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee;
(4) The official duties of a person employed as a school psychologist by any department, agency, division or bureau of the United States of America;
(5) The official duties of a school psychologist working under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee for the purpose of gaining the experience required for a license hereunder by the provisions of subdivision (4), subsection (a), section seven of this article, which experience is of a type approved by the board;
(6) The use, in good faith, of certain psychological techniques, procedures, methods and principles as an incident to engaging in a recognized occupation or profession, other than the practice of school psychology, including, but not limited to, the occupation or profession of a physician, lawyer, dentist, social worker, sociologist, political scientist, economist, probation or parole officer, rehabilitation or marriage counselor, clergyman, audiologist, speech pathologist, teacher, educational or guidance counselor and placement or personnel director;
(7) The activities of a student of school psychology, school psychological intern or extern, which activities are a part of and are engaged in pursuant to a course of study at an institution of higher learning;
(8) The activities of an assistant or technician which are performed under the direct and regular supervision of a licensee.
(h) “Practice of school psychology” means the rendering or offering to render for a fee, salary or other compensation to an individual or to the public school psychological services as defined in this article;
(i) “School psychologist” means any person who proposes to provide school psychological services as defined herein, to the public and in so doing claims to have the knowledge, training, expertise and ethical standards necessary to engage in such practice;
(j) “School board” means a West Virginia county school board and also means the West Virginia department of education, or a regional educational service agency;
(k) “School board employee” means any person who provides services for the school board and is reimbursed via a salary and benefits and who has met the educational requirements under the state law and regulations of the West Virginia board of education to be certified or otherwise empowered by the state superintendent of schools to provide school psychological services for school boards;
(l) “School board contractee” means any person who provides services for one or more school boards and is reimbursed on a per evaluation, per unit of service, or some other contract basis;
WV Code §30-21-3. License required; firms, associations and corporations engaging in the practice of psychology, under Psychologist license
(a) No person shall engage in, offer to engage in, or hold himself out to the public as being engaged in, the practice of psychology in this state, nor shall any person use in connection with any trade, business, profession or occupation, except in those instances specifically excluded from the definition of the practice of psychology by subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (6), subdivision (e), section two of this article, the word “psychologist,” “psychology,” “psychological” or any other title, word or abbreviation which induces or tends to induce the belief that such person is qualified to engage or is engaged in the practice of psychology, unless and until he shall first obtain a license or temporary permit to engage in the practice of psychology in accordance with the provisions of this article, which license or temporary permit remains unexpired, unsuspended and unrevoked:
Provided, That such license or temporary permit shall not be required for an individual who is the holder of a school psychology certificate issued by the West Virginia department of education and who is engaged in the practice of school psychology solely within the scope of employment as a school board employee:
Certificate—Provisional Professional Service Certificate
Granting authority
West Virginia Department of Education
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305
1-800-982-2378
Teacher Certificationopens in new window
Statutory/regulatory authority
Chapter 18A. School Personnel
Minimum degree required
Master’s degree in school psychology (or in psychology but have to complete requirements for a school psychology program)
Examinations required
PRAXIS II
Internship
None specified
Certificate—Permanent Professional Service Certificate
Granting authority
West Virginia Department of Education
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305
1-800-982-2378
Teacher Certificationopens in new window
Statutory/regulatory authority
Chapter 18A. School Personnel
Minimum degree required
Meet requirements of provisional plus 5 years experience (anywhere)
Examinations required
Met under provisional
Internship
None specified
Certificate—Professional Service Certificate
Granting authority
West Virginia Department of Education
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
Charleston, WV 25305
(800) 982-2378
Email the West Virginia Certificationopens in new window
Teacher Certificationopens in new window
Statutory/regulatory authority
Chapter 18A. School Personnel
Minimum degree required
2 years of experience, one of which must be completed in WV, within one or a combination of endorsements on the provisional professional certificate
Examinations required
Met under provisional
Internship
None specified
