For Immediate Release
January 28, 2022
Contact: Amanda Farnan, afarnan@dccouncil.us or (202) 355-8431

Councilmember Christina Henderson introduces legislation to clarify licensing obligations for school-based psychologists at District Public and Charter schools

Washington, DC – Today, Councilmember Henderson introduced the School Psychologist Licensing Clarification Amendment Act of 2022. This legislation clarifies that the school psychologist licensing exception applies to professionals at both District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools, should the individual meet the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) certification requirements.

Current DC law states that school psychologists who work for “in accordance with the regulations of the District of Columbia Board of Education” are exempt from Board of Psychology licensing obligations. However, in a recent decision, the Board of Psychology has interpreted this exemption to apply to only school psychologists who are employed by DCPS, excluding public charter schools – despite the fact that the OSSE issues a certification to school psychologists in both sectors. This has led to school psychologists at public charters, who are similarly situated as their DCPS counterparts, facing sanctions for unlicensed practice.

“Our students have endured constant change, including substantial loss, these past two years. We have heard consistent calls to increase access to mental health services on school campuses,” Councilmember Henderson said. “This legislation would allow all school psychologists serving in DCPS and public charter schools who meet the OSSE certification standards to continue their practice. Today, an inequity exists between these behavioral health professionals, and it must be remedied.”

According to a recent survey, one in five of our students experienced the loss of a household member who lived with them. Our students have been forced to grapple with a pandemic that has taken a toll mentally and emotionally, and it is important to remove any limitations that may prevent our youth from having access to much needed school-based care. This legislation would update language in the DC Code making it clear the school psychologist licensing exemption applies for both DCPS and public charter school psychologists in the District.

The School Psychologist Licensing Clarification Amendment Act of 2022 was co-introduced by Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmembers Brianne K. Nadeau, Charles Allen, Kenyan R. McDuffie, Janeese Lewis George, and Elissa Silverman.

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