Washington State Personnel Standards

Audiologist

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License/Certificate Audiologist License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/audiologist
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's or Doctoral
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Postgraduate professional work experience must be in the field of audiology. It must be completed over a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience or a part-time equivalent. The applicant’s supervisor must provide details of the work experience to include the name and address of the employer, type of business, position title, name of supervisor, detailed description of duties, dates of experience, and the total number of work experience hours completed. Applicants who obtain an AuD at a board-approved institution of higher education are considered to have met the postgraduate professional work experience requirement.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Audiologist applicants must pass the nationally recognized audiology examination, the PRAXIS examination. Verification must be sent directly from or verified directly with the examination agency.
Additional requirements specific for schools? The candidate shall have completed all course work (except special project or thesis) for a master’s degree from a college or university program accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) with a major in speech pathology or audiology. Such a program shall include satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive examination. If any candidate has not completed a written comprehensive examination, the candidate may present verification from ASHA of a passing score on the National Teacher’s Examination in speech pathology or audiology as a condition for certification (i.e., Praxis).
The candidate shall complete the professional transitions to public schools course work under WAC 181-79A-224.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Residency Certificate with Special Education Deaf Education Endorsement
State Department Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range PreK - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The two-year curriculum is rooted in the development of speech, language, and social skills. With that as a foundation, students study the factors necessary for high-quality education for children who are deaf are hard of hearing.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Field Experience/Internship: For endorsements, teachers must have completed a supervised practicum which included teaching in the specific endorsement area(s). Hours not indicated.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B) (Score of 240) 2. Washington Educator Skills Test-Endorsement (WEST-E) Early Childhood Special Education (Score of 240)
Additional requirements specific for schools? The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional organization for speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It grants the “Certificate of Clinical Competence” to those individuals who have satisfied stringent requirements in education and training within these fields.
Individuals who hold the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence must have completed at least the M.A. or M.S. degree from an approved training institution, have satisfied the training requirements (including at least 375 hours of supervised clinical practicum in at least two different sites, as well as an internship program [the Clinical Fellowship Year {CFY}] during which their work has been supervised), and have passed the NTSB examination in the field of specialty
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary
  1. Alternative Routes for Classified Staff who hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution;
  2. An alternative route for individuals teaching with conditional certificates.

Early Childhood Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Educator
License/Certificate Residency Certificate with an Early Childhood Education Endorsement
State Department Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 3rd grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework For endorsements, teachers must have completed related methods coursework in the specific endorsement area(s).
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Field Experience/Internship: For endorsements, teachers must have completed a supervised practicum which included teaching in the specific endorsement area(s).
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B) (Score of 240) 2. Washington Educator Skills Test--Endorsement (WEST-E) Early Childhood Education.
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary
  1. Alternative Routes for Classified Staff who hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution;
  2. An alternative route for individuals teaching with conditional certificates.

Early Childhood Special Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Residency Certificate with Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement
State Department Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://www.k12.wa.us/certification/default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 3rd grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework For endorsements, teachers must have completed related methods coursework in the specific endorsement area(s).
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Field Experience/Internship: For endorsements, teachers must have completed a supervised practicum which included teaching in the specific endorsement area(s).
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B) (Score of 240) 2. Washington Educator Skills Test-Endorsement (WEST-E) Early Childhood Special Education (Score of 240)
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary 1. Alternative Routes for Classified Staff who hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution;

2. Alternative route for individuals teaching with conditional certificates.

Family Therapist

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Discipline Family Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
State Department State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/MarriageandFamilyTherapist
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework At least 27-semester credits or 36 quarter credits are required in the first five areas of study:
  • Marital and family systems
  • Marital and family therapy
  • Individual development
  • Psychopathology
  • Human sexuality
  • Research
  • Professional ethics and law
  • Electives (one course)
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Applicants must complete a minimum of two calendar years of full-time marriage and family therapy, and at least 3,000 hours of experience, 1,000 hours of which must be direct client contact. At least 500 hours must be gained in diagnosing and treating couples and families; and At least 200 hours of qualified supervision with an approved supervisor. At least 100 of the 200 hours must be one-on-one supervision, and the remaining hours may be in one-on-one or group supervision.

Of the total supervision, 100 hours must be with a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who has at least five years of clinical experience. The other 100 hours may be with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. Applicants who have completed a master's program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE) will be credited with 500 hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of formal meetings with an approved supervisor.

Licensure Dependent on an Exam? License applicants must pass the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) exam. Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) and the AMFTRB establish the passing score for the exam. PTC administers the exam.

Nurse

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Discipline Nurse
License/Certificate Registered Nurse License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://nursing.wa.gov/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Clinical experiences in the care of persons at each stage of the human life cycle, with opportunities for the student to learn and have direct involvement in, responsibility and accountability for the provision of basic nursing care and comfort for clients with acute and chronic illnesses, pharmacological and parenteral therapies and pain management. The emphasis placed on these areas, the scope encompassed, and other allied experiences offered shall be consistent with the purpose and outcomes of the program.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
Additional requirements specific for schools?
  1. Need to have an Initial Educational Associate Certification. School Nurse
  2. Degree - Must have completed a baccalaureate or higher degree program in nursing from a program accredited by the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission or the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education.
  3. License - Must hold a valid Washington State license as a registered nurse.
  4. Course - Must have completed prior to, or within 180 days after application, a 30 clock hour or 3 quarter hour (2-semester hrs) course approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board which will include study in schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting, including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements; or candidates who were trained out of state may, in lieu of the course, present verification of a state-approved certification program in the role as a school nurse; or 3 years of out-of-state experience in the role under appropriate certification if certification was required.

Occupational Therapist

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Discipline Occupational Therapist
License/Certificate Occupational Therapy License
State Department Occupational Therapy Practice Board (Washington State Department of Health)
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/OccupationalTherapist
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? A minimum of six months of supervised fieldwork experience for occupational therapists (OT).
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Applicants must obtain a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy’s (NBCOT) exam.
Applicants must complete the online jurisprudence examination and pass with a score of 100 percent.

Physical Therapist

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Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Physical Therapist License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/physical-therapist-and-physical-therapist-assistant
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's to Doctorate
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Applicant must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and hold the valid state of Washington license as a physical therapist
Additional requirements specific for schools?
  1. Need to have an Initial Educational Associate Certification. School Physical Therapist
  2. Degree - Must have completed a baccalaureate or higher degree program in physical therapy from an American Physical Therapy Association-approved program
  3. License - Must hold a valid Washington State license as a physical therapist.
  4. Course - Must have completed prior to, or within 180 days after application, a 30 clock hour or 3 quarter hour (2-semester hrs) course approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board which will include study in schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting, including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements; or candidates who were trained out of state may, in lieu of the course, present verification of a state-approved certification program in the role of school physical therapist; or 3 years of out-of-state experience in the role under appropriate certification if certification was required.

Psychologist

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Discipline Psychologist
License/Certificate Psychologist License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Psychologist
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The applicant must complete three or more semester hours, or five or more quarter hours, of core study in each of the following content areas: (a) Biological bases of behavior (b) Cognitive-affective bases of behavior (c) Social bases of behavior (d) Individual differences for example (e) Scientific and professional ethics (f) History and systems of psychology (g) Statistics and psychometrics (h) Research design and methodology; (i) Techniques of data analysis (j) Human development (developmental psychology, child development, adult development, and aging); (k) Cultural and individual differences and diversity; (l) Psychopathology and dysfunctional behaviors; (m) Theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis-minimum of two courses; (n) Effective psychological intervention and evaluation of the efficacy of interventions-minimum of three courses; and (o) Psychopharmacology.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 3,300 hours of supervised experience to be eligible for licensure:
  1. 300 practicum hours (100 hours must be in supervision)
  2. 1,500 supervised experience hours
  3. 1,500 Internship hours.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) (from Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards) (Score: at least 70% or the national mean, whichever is lowest) 2. State Jurisprudence Examination (Score 90%)
Additional requirements specific for schools? Applicants must hold a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, obtained from an integrated program of graduate study in psychology. If the doctoral degree was not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), it must include:

At least 40 semester hours, or 60 quarter hours, of graduate courses in curriculum areas described in WAC 246-924-046. Courses must be clearly identified by title and course content as being part of an integrated psychology program.
One year in residency as detailed in WAC 246-924-046(5).
Submission of an original dissertation that is psychological in nature and endorsed by the program;
An organized, sequential, and coordinated practicum and internship experience as described in WAC 246-924-049 and WAC 246-924-056.Official transcript with degree and date posted received directly from applicant’s program. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation.
All supervisors for supervised experience hours must complete the professional reference forms and submit them directly to the department.
Program staff members verify that internship has been accredited by either regional accreditation or the American Psychological Association (APA).
Experience: applicants are required to verify a total of 3,300 hours of supervision. An applicant may not sign off as supervising their own postdoctoral hours.

School Psychologist

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate Educational Staff Associate Residency Certificate
State Department Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/educational-staff-associate-esa-certificates/esa-first-time-applicant/school-psychologist-first-time
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Kindergarten - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? The National Association of School Psychologists notes that programs must include 320 hours of practicum and 1,200 hours of internship
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? A school psychologist who did not complete a comprehensive examination as part of the degree program must take the national school psychologist examination prior to licensure. The examination is offered as part of the Praxis II series for educators. The required score on version 0401 (test code 10401) is 165; this is identical to the score required for national certification by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Candidates who took an examination with a test code of 10400 must document a score of 660.

Candidates who take the test in September 2014 or later may take examination 5402. They may check the Washington requirements page of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website to determine current score requirements.

Candidates can find information about test dates and testing sites on the ETS site. In most cases, candidates who test in September 2014 or later will take a computer-delivered examination.

Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Emergency Educational Staff Associate (ESA) for individuals who have substantially completed a preparation program for a school psychologist. The application must be approved by a school district that cannot find a certificated Educational Staff Associate (ESA) for the position.

Social Worker – Advanced

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Discipline Advanced Social Worker License
License/Certificate Advanced Social Worker License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/social-worker-and-social-worker-associate
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Masters/Doctoral Degree
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Minimum of 3200 hours of experience. 800 hours must be in direct client contact. 90 hours of supervision by a LICSW or LASW who has been licensed for at least two years. Of the 90 hours: 1. 50 must include direct supervision by a LASW or LICSW. The 50 hours may be in one-to-one supervision or group supervision. 2. 40 hours maybe with an equally qualified licensed mental health practitioner. The 40 hours must be in one-on-one supervision. Distance supervision is limited to 40 supervision hours.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The American Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) advanced exam. The advanced exam is required to be an LASW.
Additional requirements specific for schools? 1. Need to have an Initial Educational Associate Certification. School Social Worker 2. Degree - Must hold an MSW from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. 3. Exam - Must complete the Praxis II school social worker examination (test code 0211) with a score of 133 or better, administered by the Educational Testing Service. 4. ONE of the following: a. Course - Must have completed prior to, or within 180 days after application, a 30 clock hour or 3 quarter hour (2 semester hours) course approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board in which candidates will: *Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education law; *Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students; *Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting; *Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students; *Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making; *Use national, state, and local policies, as well as professional standards, to support decision making in educational settings and inform professional growth planning; *Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. or b. Program - Candidates who were trained out of state may, in lieu of the course, present verification of successful completion of another state's approved certification program in the role of school social worker; or c. Experience - 3 years of out-of-state experience in the role under appropriate certification, if certification was required.

Social Worker- Independent Clinical

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Independent Clinical Social Worker License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/SocialWorker 
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's or Doctoral social work degree
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Applicants must have a minimum of 4,000 hours of postgraduate, supervised experience over a minimum three-year period. One thousand hours must be in direct client contact supervised by a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). One hundred and thirty hours must be direct supervision by a LICSW or equally licensed mental health practitioner.

Of the 130 hours:

  • Seventy hours must be with a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW).
  • Sixty hours maybe with an equally qualified licensed practitioner.
  • Sixty hours of the 130 hours of direct supervision must be in one-to-one supervision. The remaining 70 hours may be one-to-one or group supervision.
  • Distance supervision is limited to 60 hours.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The American Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam is required for licensing. The clinical examination exam is required to be a LICSW.
Additional requirements specific for schools? 1. Need to have an Initial Educational Associate Certification. School Social Worker 2. Degree - Must hold an MSW from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. 3. Exam - Must complete the Praxis II school social worker examination (test code 0211) with a score of 133 or better, administered by the Educational Testing Service. 4. ONE of the following: a. Course - Must have completed prior to, or within 180 days after application, a 30 clock hour or 3 quarter hour (2 semester hours) course approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board in which candidates will: *Demonstrate an understanding of school and special education law; *Understand and demonstrate knowledge of working within the culture of the schools, creating an environment that fosters safety, health, and learning for the students; *Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate resources in the school setting; *Demonstrate knowledge of collaboration with team members which may include parents, teachers, administrators, and others to support learning outcomes for all students; *Demonstrate knowledge of how to support the outcomes for all students through strategies such as scientifically based practices, collaborative teaming, and ethical decision making; *Use national, state, and local policies, as well as professional standards, to support decision making in educational settings and inform professional growth planning; *Demonstrate an understanding of the use of human, community, and technological resources. or b. Program - Candidates who were trained out of state may, in lieu of the course, present verification of successful completion of another state's approved certification program in the role of school social worker; or c. Experience - 3 years of out-of-state experience in the role under appropriate certification, if certification was required.

Speech Language Pathologist

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Discipline Speech-Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Speech-Language Pathology License
State Department Washington State Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/speech-language-pathologist
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Postgraduate professional work experience must be in the field of speech-language pathology. It must be completed over a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience, or a part-time equivalent. The applicant’s supervisor must provide details of the work experience to include the name and address of the employer, type of business, position title, name of supervisor, detailed description of duties, dates of experience, and the total number of work experience hours completed.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Speech-language pathologist applicants must pass the nationally recognized speech-language pathology examination, the PRAXIS examination.
Additional requirements specific for schools?
  1. Need to have an Initial Educational Associate Certification. School Speech-Language Pathologist
  2. Degree - Must have completed all coursework (except special project or thesis) for a master's degree with a major in speech pathology. The course work must be from a college or university program accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).
  3. Course - Must have completed prior to, or within 180 days after application, a 30 clock hour or 3 quarter hour (2-semester hrs) course approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board which will include study in schools and society; human growth, development, and learning; American school law; legal responsibilities of the ESA; and the responsibilities of the specific ESA role in a school setting, including the state learning goals and essential academic learning requirements; or candidates who were trained out of state may, in lieu of the course, present verification of a state-approved certification program in the role of the school speech-language pathologist or audiologist; or 3 years of out-of-state experience in the role under appropriate certification if certification was required.
  4. Exam - Must have successfully completed a written comprehensive examination of the knowledge included in the course work for the required master's degree. This examination shall be a proctored, written examination of a regionally accredited institution of higher education, or the candidate may present verification of a passing score on the Praxis II speech-language pathology examination, test code 20330, administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and used by ASHA as a condition for certification.

Vision Specialist

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Discipline Vision Specialist
License/Certificate Residency Certificate with Special Education Visual Impairment Endorsement
State Department Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://www.k12.wa.us/certification
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 21 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework For endorsements, teachers must have completed related methods coursework in the specific endorsement area(s).
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Field Experience/Internship: For endorsements, teachers must have completed a supervised practicum which included teaching in the specific endorsement area(s).
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B) (Score of 240)

2. Washington Educator Skills Test-Endorsement (WEST-E) Early Childhood Special Education (Score of 240)

Alternative Route Provisional or temporary 1. Alternative Routes for Classified Staff who hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution;

2. An alternative route for individuals teaching with conditional certificates.