The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential authorizes any of the following specializations: school counseling, school social work, school psychology, and the additional authorization of child welfare and attendance services. The authorization and requirements for each specialization are listed below.

The following information outlines the requirements for individuals who have completed their professional preparation program in California. Individuals prepared outside of California should refer to Credential Leaflet CL-606, entitled Pupil Personnel Services Credential for Individuals Prepared Out-of-State.

School Counseling

The specialization in School Counseling authorizes the holder to perform the following duties:

  • Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a school counseling and guidance program that includes academic, career, personal, and social development.
  • Advocate for the high academic achievement and social development of all students.
  • Provide schoolwide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services.
  • Provide consultation, training, and staff development to teachers and parents regarding students’ needs.
  • Supervise a district-approved advisory program as described in California Education Code, Section 49600.

Requirements for the Clear Credential - Specialization in School Counseling

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. A baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university.

  2. Complete post baccalaureate degree study consisting of a minimum of 48 semester units in a Commission-approved professional preparation program specializing in school counseling, including a practicum with school-aged children.

  3. Obtain the formal recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in school counseling. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online.

  4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement. See Credential Leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement for additional information.

  5. Complete the Live Scan fingerprint process (form 41-LS).

  6. Pay the application processing fee (see Fee Information leaflet CL-659) once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university. Individuals will be notified via email that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

Individuals holding certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of Early Childhood to Young Adulthood – School Counseling may apply directly to the Commission for the clear credential. Those applying under this route are exempt from the basic skills requirement and all other credential requirements. Individuals may apply by submitting the following items by mail:

  1. Photocopy of National Board Certification.

  2. Completed application (form 41-4), and, if not previously submitted to the Commission, a completed Live Scan receipt (form 41-LS). Out-of-state residents must submit two fingerprint cards (FD-258) in lieu of a Live Scan receipt. If submitting fingerprint cards, current fingerprint processing fees must accompany the application packet.

  3. Appropriate application processing fee.

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School Social Work

The specialization in School Social Work authorizes the holder to perform the following duties:

  • Assess home, school, personal, and community factors that may affect a student’s learning.
  • Identify and provide intervention strategies for children and their families, including counseling, case management, and crisis intervention.
  • Consult with teachers, administrators, and other school staff regarding social and emotional needs of students.
  • Coordinate family, school, and community resources on behalf of students.

Requirements for the Clear Credential with a Specialization in School Social Work

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. A baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university.

  2. Complete post baccalaureate degree study consisting of a minimum of 45 semester units in a Commission-approved professional preparation program specializing in school social work, including a practicum with school-aged children.

  3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in school social work. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online.

  4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement for additional information.

  5. Complete the Live Scan fingerprint process (form 41-LS).

  6. Pay the application processing fee (see Fee Information leaflet CL-659) once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university. Individuals will be notified via email that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database.

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School Psychology

The specialization in School Psychology authorizes the holder to perform the following duties:

  • Provide services that enhance academic performance.
  • Design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment.
  • Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties.
  • Conduct psycho-educational assessment for purposes of identifying special needs.
  • Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families.
  • Coordinate intervention strategies for management of individuals and schoolwide crises.

Requirements for the Clear Credential with a Specialization in School Psychology

Individuals must satisfy all the following requirements:

  1. A baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university.

  2. Complete post baccalaureate degree study consisting of a minimum of 60 semester units in a California Commission-approved professional preparation program specializing in school psychology, including a practicum with school-aged children.

  3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in school psychology. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online.

  4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement for additional information.

  5. Complete the Live Scan fingerprint process (form 41-LS).

  6. Pay the application processing fee (see Fee Information leaflet CL-659) once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university. Individuals will be notified via email that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database.

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Child Welfare and Attendance

The added authorization in Child Welfare and Attendance authorizes the holder to perform the following duties:

  • Access appropriate services from both public and private providers, including law enforcement and social services.
  • Provide staff development to school personnel regarding state and federal laws pertaining to due process and child welfare and attendance laws.
  • Address school policies and procedures that inhibit academic success.
  • Implement strategies to improve student attendance.
  • Participate in schoolwide reform efforts.
  • Promote understanding and appreciation of those factors that affect the attendance of culturally-diverse student populations.

Requirements for the Added Authorization in Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA)

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. Complete a professional preparation program specializing in school counseling, school social work, or school psychology and a professional preparation program in school child welfare and attendance services including a minimum of 150 clock hours of supervised school-based field experience engaging in supervised practice in the following areas: student attendance, student enrollment and discipline, educational records, parent engagement, and legal and ethical compliance related to pupil services.

  2. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program that offers the additional supervised school-based field experience in school child welfare and attendance services. This process will result in the college or university submitting the recommendation online as an additional CWA authorization to the PPS credential.

  3. Pay the application processing fee (see Fee Information leaflet CL-659) once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university if completed subsequent to the initial credential. If the CWA is recommended concurrently with the PPS credential only one application and fee is required. Individuals will be notified via email that the application has been submitted and is awaiting payment in a secured database.

For more information, visit the Professional Preparation Program for Pupil Personnel Services Credentials or the Commission's website.

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Reference:
California Education Code, Section 44266 and Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Sections 80049-80049.1 and 80632-80632.5.
CL-606C  July 2022
Updated August 22, 2023