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Panel considers working group to create licensure pathway for school psychologists
Summary
H.B. 1889 would establish a working group to recommend a licensure pathway for school psychologists; DOE supported study participation, stakeholders debated working-group membership and whether licensure would ease shortages or create barriers, and DOE reported a current vacancy rate of about 27 percent for school psychologist positions.
The committee reviewed H.B. 1889, which would create a working group within the Department of Education to recommend actionable steps or legislation for an immediate pathway to licensure for school psychologists.
Heidi Armstrong (DOE) said the department supports the bill's intent to convene regulatory and state agencies to study licensure without presupposing a particular regulatory outcome. Christopher Fernandez, executive officer of the Board of Psychology (DCCA), said the board supports the intent but requested inclusion of certain stakeholders if the working group will consider placing school-psychology specialists within chapter 465.
Members of the Hawaii Psychological Association asked to be included; the Hawaii Association of School Psychologists and some practicing school psychologists said they do not want certain private organizations to represent school psychologists and argued for government- or field-focused representation. Alexis Jamison, a practicing school psychologist, said lack of licensure in Hawaii prevents locally trained psychologists who earn credentials elsewhere from working here without additional barriers.
DOE provided vacancy figures for the profession: approximately 70 authorized school-psychologist positions with 26 vacancies (a 27 percent vacancy rate); the department reported a vacancy rate of 43 percent in 2024 and said shortages have improved but remain significant. Witnesses debated whether licensure would reduce shortages by standardizing pathways or increase barriers by adding new credentialing requirements.
The committee asked DCCA about licensure costs and timelines; DCCA staff outlined application and license fees (application $50, license fees in the low hundreds, plus small compliance fees) and said the board processes a handful of applicants per session. Members requested further stakeholder discussions and clarity on how licensing would affect DOE hiring and vacancy timelines.
The committee deferred action pending additional clarifications and possible changes to the proposed working-group composition.
