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NCSP Inactive status: the hours you keep up and how to reactivate

NCSP (Inactive) status lets you hold your credential for up to 6 years with fewer CPD hours. Here is what NASP's page, with eligibility revisions formalized March 5, 2026, says.

Terms. NCSP is the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from NASP, the National Association of School Psychologists. CPD is continuing professional development; EDI is equity, diversity, and inclusion; APA is the American Psychological Association. Self-study is Category H in NASP's CPD guidelines.

Who it is for

NASP says: "The NCSP (Inactive) status is designed to meet the needs of those who have temporarily left the workplace for reasons outlined in the National School Psychology Certification System Procedures Manual". Its eligibility requirements include: "All public or private remunerative activity as a school psychologist has ceased." and "You are an active NCSP at the time the application is received in the NASP office." NASP lists a one-time fee "($49 for members and $69 for nonmembers)". It says: "Revisions to the eligibility criteria for the NCSP (Inactive) and NCSP (Retired) credentials were formalized on March 5, 2026, effectively immediately."

The hours while inactive

NASP says: "Inactive NCSPs must earn 10 continuing professional development (CPD) credit hours per year (see CPD Guidelines), three of which must be from a NASP- or APA-approved provider. At least one of the 10 credits per year must be in ethics or legal regulation." Its reactivation table also lists one hour of equity, diversity, and inclusion per year, with the note: "Inactive NCSPs complete one hour of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion per year starting July 1, 2021 onward." Check NASP's page for your own case.

How long, and reactivating

NASP says: "Inactive status is available for a maximum of 6 years from the date of approval." To return to active status, "Complete the NCSP Reactivation Form and submit it along with an NCSP reactivation fee of $110 for members and $210 for nonmembers". NASP adds: "If an Inactive NCSP credential is not reactivated within six (6) years, the inactive status will terminate and the NCSP credential will be deemed expired effective the date the inactive status was initiated."

First renewal mentorship

For those subject to the first-time renewal mentorship requirement, NASP says "approval of the inactive status will place the mentorship requirement on hold for the duration of the inactive period (up to 6 years)." See your first NCSP renewal.

Plan your hours

Our free NCSP renewal hours planner is built for an active 3-year renewal, not for inactive-year hours. Its printable CPD log can still hold your own record of each year's activities.

Special Learning is not a NASP-approved provider or an APA-approved sponsor, and our courses do not count toward the hours that must come from one. If you choose a recorded course for your self-study hours, Compassionate Mandated Reporting Across Disciplines runs 110 minutes and costs $39, paid once; after you pass its quiz, its certificate of completion shows your name, the course title, the dates and the hours. You decide whether it meets the four questions in NASP's CPD guidelines for you. We do not claim it meets the ethical/legal or EDI requirement. For hours you choose yourself, read what NASP says about providers it has not approved.

Common questions

How many CPD hours does an inactive NCSP need?

NASP says inactive NCSPs must earn 10 CPD credit hours per year, three of which must be from a NASP- or APA-approved provider, with at least one in ethics or legal regulation. Its reactivation table also lists one hour of equity, diversity, and inclusion per year.

How long can my NCSP stay inactive?

NASP says inactive status is available for a maximum of 6 years from the date of approval. If it is not reactivated within six years, the credential will be deemed expired effective the date the inactive status was initiated.

How do I reactivate an inactive NCSP?

NASP says to complete the NCSP Reactivation Form and submit it with a reactivation fee of $110 for members and $210 for nonmembers, with documentation of the CPD hours for each year of inactive status.

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