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The Pupil Personnel Services Credential covers services for individuals who serve as counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school child welfare and attendance regulators. Under prior regulations, the document listed two authorizations: Basic Pupil Personnel Services (which included school counseling, school social work, and child welfare and attendance) and School Psychology. The current document lists these four areas separately and each authorization requires the completion of a distinct program.
Pupil Personnel Services Credential holders may work with individual students, groups of students, or families to provide the services authorized by their credential to address the needs of all students by providing a comprehensive Pupil Personnel Services program.
Pupil Personnel Services Credential FAQ
When is a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential required for a position?
Pursuant to Education Code §44001, if certification qualifications are established for a position, then a credentialed individual is required to be assigned to the position. If the duties of the position substantially align with the duties authorized by a PPS credential, then the appropriate PPS credential authorization is required.
Nothing precludes school districts from utilizing community-based service providers, including volunteers, individuals completing counseling-related internship programs, and state licensed individuals and agencies to assist in providing pupil personnel services, provided that such individuals and agencies are supervised in their school-based activities by an individual holding the appropriate pupil personnel services authorization. Non-credentialed community-based services providers cannot assist in providing PPS or related services without the supervision of an appropriately authorized PPS credential holder. Refer to the Contracting Mental Health Services webpage for more information.
How do I determine which PPS credential authorization is required for a position?
The titles related to Pupil Personnel Services positions may vary across Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Therefore, the PPS credential authorization required for a position is based on the duties required of the position, rather than the position title. Review the duty statement of the position, and compare the duties of the position with the duties authorized by the four credential authorizations provided in the Services Authorized by PPS Credentials web resource.
The following chart shows the general emphasis of each of the currently-issued PPS credentials, and is intended to support credential analysts in determining the appropriate credential authorization. However, LEAs and their monitoring authorities are
responsible for reviewing certificated assignments and determining the appropriate credential at the local level based on the duties of the position.
| PPS Credential Authorization | General Emphasis of Services Authorized |
|---|---|
| School Psychology | Psychological, Social, and Behavioral |
| School Counseling | Academic, Career, and Personal |
| School Social Work | Interventions and Outreach |
| School Child Welfare and Attendance | Attendance and Enforcement |
How do I determine which CALPADS code to report for a PPS position?
| Pupil Personnel Services | |
|---|---|
| Local Assignment Options (PPS) | |
| Social workers with or without a credential may provide counseling services in small school districts | Education Code 44046 |
| PPS holder may supervise a PPS program | Education Code 44270.2 |
| COEs, SDs, and SELPAs may contract for educational psychologists to perform individually administered tests of intellectual or emotional functioning | Title 5 3029 |