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H 325

An act relating to Vermont’s adoption of the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Daisy Berbeco

Vermont joins a multi-state framework to streamline cross-state practice for school psychologists by creating an equivalent-licensure path across member states while preserving eac

House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
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Bill Summary · H 325

Summary of Bill H.325 (2025-2026) – Vermont adoption of the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact

  • Purpose and intent

    • This bill would adopt, enact, and implement the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact (the Compact) in Vermont. The aim is to facilitate interstate practice of school psychology, improve availability of services in educational settings, and enable qualified school psychologists to practice in any member state with an equivalent license.

  • Key provisions and changes

    • Establishes Vermont’s subchapter for the Compact (26 V.S.A. chapter 55, subchapter 3), aligning the form and text with the model Compact used by other states.
    • Purposes of the Compact
    • Create an efficient pathway for school psychologists to obtain equivalent licenses in member states.
    • Promote mobility to address workforce shortages and ensure safe, reliable services.
    • Increase public accessibility to school psychological services.
    • Preserve each state’s authority to protect public health and safety by requiring licensed practice within the state’s rules.
    • Require licensees to comply with the scope of practice laws of the state where services are provided.
    • Promote inter-state regulatory cooperation.
    • Support relocation for military members and spouses who are licensed to practice.
    • Definitions (section 3041c)
    • Key terms include active military member, equivalent license, home state, remote state, specialist-level/doctoral-level degree, unencumbered license, practice of school psychology, school psychologist, and other terms used throughout the Compact.
    • State participation and eligibility (section 3041d)
    • To join and remain in the Compact, Vermont must:
      • Enact the Compact statute consistent with the model.
      • Participate in information sharing with other member states.
      • Maintain a list of equivalent licenses available to licensees.
      • Have mechanisms to receive and investigate complaints.
      • Notify the Commission of adverse actions or investigative information.
      • Require home-state applicants to: pass a qualifying national exam, complete a minimum 1,200 hours of supervised internship (at least 600 in a school), and graduate from a qualifying education program.
      • Comply with all Compact terms and rules.
    • Participation in the Compact (section 3041e)
    • To obtain and maintain an equivalent license in a remote state:
      • Hold an active home-state license and meet state-specific requirements.
      • Complete Commission-established administrative steps and pay fees.
      • Meet home-state renewal requirements, including continuing professional education (CPE).
      • Undergo a criminal background check in the state where the remote license is sought.
    • Renewal of an equivalent license in a non-home state requires renewal steps, background check, and payment of fees.
    • Active military members and spouses (section 3041f)
    • Recognizes active military members or spouses as holding a home-state license in specified contexts (e.g., residence, primary state of practice, or PCS relocation).
    • Discipline and adverse actions (section 3041g)
    • States retain authority to investigate and discipline under their own laws.
    • Member states must share disciplinary information upon request and protect confidential materials.
    • Establishment and governance of the Commission (section 3041h)
    • Creates the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact Commission, a joint governmental agency with representation from each member state.
    • Each member state’s licensing authority appoints one delegate with voting rights.
    • The Commission can adopt rules and bylaws, establish budgets, and oversee administration, enforcement, and compliance.
    • An executive committee (up to seven members) can act on behalf of the Commission between full meetings.
    • Meetings are required at least annually; meetings may be in person or via telecommunication.
    • Financing and accountability (section 3041i, 3041k)
    • The Commission can levy annual assessments on member states and fees on licensees to fund operations.
    • Annual financial reviews are required; the Commission may accept gifts and other revenue.
    • Immunity and defense provisions for Commission staff and officers; licensees remain subject to their state laws for professional malpractice.
    • Information exchange and rulemaking (sections 3041i and 3041j)
    • The Commission will facilitate secure exchange of licensure and disciplinary information.
    • Rules and amendments must follow the Compact’s framework; proposed rules are published for public notice, with emergency rulemaking possible under certain conditions.
    • Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement (section 3041k)
    • The Commission, and member states’ legislatures and licensing authorities, have enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms, including potential court actions in federal district courts.
    • Effective date, withdrawal, and amendment (section 3041l)
    • The Compact takes effect on the date the seventh member state enacts the statute.
    • Provisions cover amendments, withdrawal processes (including 180-day waiting period), and continuation of licenses issued under the Compact for a defined period after withdrawal.
    • Construction, consistency, and conflict with other laws (sections 3041m–3041n)
    • Provisions are to be liberally construed to achieve the Compact’s purposes.
    • The Compact is designed to supersede conflicting state laws to the extent of the conflict, while preserving other state powers.

  • Affected parties and impacts

    • School psychologists and licensees in Vermont and other member states.
    • Vermont licensing authority and educational institutions (k-12 schools) relying on school psychological services.
    • Military members and spouses seeking licensure mobility and simplified practice across member states.
    • Public and students, who may benefit from a more readily available pool of qualified school psychologists.

  • Procedural and timeline aspects

    • Effective date: The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
    • The Compact becomes operative after the seventh member state enacts the statute.
    • Ongoing Commission processes include rulemaking, annual reporting, financial reviews, and periodic alignment with member states’ laws.

  • Overall takeaway

    • H.325 would integrate Vermont into a multi-state framework designed to streamline cross-state practice for school psychologists, with standardized requirements for education, testing, internships, and background checks, while preserving each state’s regulatory authority and ensuring public safety.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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