Panel recommends interstate licensure compact to recruit school psychologists

A Virginia House subcommittee voted 9–1 to recommend House Bill 2 55, which would enable licensure mobility for school psychologists through an interstate compact intended to ease administrative barriers and help schools recruit mental-health professionals.

Delegate Delia Glass presented the measure as a workforce-development and student mental-health proposal, saying the compact "allows eligible licensed school psychologists from member states of the compact to come and get right to work" while still requiring practitioners to meet Virginia standards. Glass said compact participation carries administrative costs, noting an estimated fiscal impact of "about I think it's up to $7,000" for membership or related fees.

Pat Fennerin of K12 Consulting, representing the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists, and Katie Zena, president of the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and an assistant professor at the University of Virginia, urged approval. Fennerin said school psychologists have the highest vacancy rate among public school employee groups and estimated the shortage at about 10 percent—roughly 100 positions—while noting an average caseload of about 1,200 to 1,500 students per psychologist. Zena echoed those figures and called the compact a way to "reduce administrative burdens and provide easier access for critical school psychological services."

During the hearing a committee member asked whether interstate compacts cede state control over licensing; Delegate Glass replied that compacts do not remove a state's authority to uphold its licensure standards.

The committee voted to recommend HB 2 55 for report by a roll call of 9 to 1. The bill will proceed to the next legislative stage.