HB 81: Interstate Compact for School Psychologists; enter into

Currently, a school psychologist licensed in one state generally has to go through a separate licensing process to work in Georgia, and Georgia-licensed school psychologists face the same hurdle elsewhere. This bill adds a new article to Georgia's education compacts law (O.C.G.A. Chapter 6 of Title 20) that enters Georgia into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. Under the compact, a school psychologist who holds an unencumbered license in their home state can get an equivalent license to practice in any other member state without repeating training or exams, as long as they meet requirements such as passing a qualifying national exam, completing at least 1,200 hours of supervised internship (600 in a school setting), and graduating from an approved program. The compact creates a multistate commission to write rules, share licensing and disciplinary information between states, and resolve disputes. It also lets active military members and their spouses count multiple locations as their home state. The Professional Standards Commission would issue rules to carry out the article in Georgia, and the compact takes full effect once seven states have enacted it.

• Adds a new article to Georgia law adopting the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists, letting Georgia recognize equivalent licenses from other member states.
• Requires applicants for a home state license to pass a qualifying national exam, complete 1,200 supervised internship hours (600 in a school), and graduate from an approved school psychology program.
• Creates a multistate commission with rule-making, fee-setting, and dispute-resolution powers to administer the compact and share licensee information among member states.
• Lets active-duty military members and their spouses treat their permanent residence, primary practice state, or new duty station as their home state for licensing purposes.
• Gives the Professional Standards Commission authority to write rules implementing the compact within Georgia.
• Sets conditions for state withdrawal, default, and termination from the compact, including a 180-day delay before withdrawal takes effect.

School psychologists seeking to work across state lines, Georgia's Professional Standards Commission, students and school districts that rely on school psychological services, and active military families who relocate frequently between states.

If enacted alongside enough other states, this would make it easier for licensed school psychologists to move to Georgia or leave Georgia to practice elsewhere without repeating licensing steps, potentially easing workforce shortages in schools that need psychological services for students.

• Section 1 adds Article 3 to Chapter 6 of Title 20, naming it the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists and defining key terms like 'license,' 'home state,' and 'school psychological services.'
• Section 3 of the compact requires member states to grant equivalent licenses to qualifying out-of-state applicants and lets states charge a fee for doing so.
• Section 4 of the compact lists licensee requirements, including maintaining an active home state license and passing a criminal background check in the state where the new license is sought.
• Section 7 of the compact establishes the multistate commission, its executive committee, meeting rules, and financing through state assessments and licensee fees.
• Section 9 of the compact allows the commission to make rules, including emergency rules, and lets a majority of member state legislatures reject a rule within four years.
• Section 10 of the compact sets out default, termination, and enforcement procedures, including lawsuits in federal court in the District of Columbia.
• Section 11 of the compact says it takes effect once seven states enact it, and members may withdraw by repealing their statute, effective 180 days later.
• 20-6-28 authorizes Georgia's Professional Standards Commission to issue rules implementing the new article.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
2. 2025-04-28Act 12
3. 2025-04-28House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-13Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-13Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-10Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-03-06Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Bethany Ballard (R, HD-147)Primary sponsor
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-32)
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)
• Holt Persinger (R, HD-119)
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-29)
• Matthew Gambill (R, HD-15)
• Larry Walker, III (R, SD-20)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 13, 2025

   165 yea, 2 nay (3 not voting, 10 excused)

   PASSAGE: House Vote #35

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 13, 2025

   48 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 5 excused)

   PASSAGE: Senate Vote #232

• school psychologists
• professional licensing
• interstate compacts
• education
• military family licensing