Background and Information

In 1992 when the Psychology Licensure Act was passed in Indiana, Hoosier school psychologists were prohibited from practicing the profession of school psychology outside the confines of a school corporation. The Indiana Association of School Psychologists (IASP) restored Indiana school psychologists’ ability to practice as independent providers of school psychological services in 1996 by lobbying the Indiana General Legislature for a law that provided an endorsement for independent practice for school psychologists.

In 2009, the process to obtain an Independent Practice Endorsement (IPE) was simplified to encourage more Indiana school psychologists to obtain private practice licensure. Indiana Code 20-28-12-3 was passed in March 2009 due to a successful lobbying effort by IASP. Current Indiana law requires Hoosier school psychologists to hold either the IPE or HSPP to practice their profession outside of the schools. The new law provides application changes requiring less paperwork and time involved for the IPE applicant. These changes include:

• Required supervisory time period was reduced to one academic year. 
• In addition to a physician, an HSPP psychologist, an IPE school psychologist, an NCSP school psychologist may provide IPE supervision. 
• Face-to-face supervision hours were reduced to 30 hours. 
• A total of twelve (12) hours of training provided by an HSPP psychologist or physician/psychiatrist in the identification and referral of mental or behavioral disorders is now required. 
• A completion of ten (10) evaluations or case studies addressing the identification and/or referral of mental or behavioral disorders is now required. Case studies and evaluations can include, but are not limited to, consultations, intervention services, functional behavior assessment, behavior improvement plans, and progress monitoring. 

The IPE allows an Indiana school psychologist to work outside the school setting with some limitations. Unless the school psychologist has the IPE endorsement or has an HSPP (Health Service Provider in Psychology), it is against Indiana law for a school psychologist to provide any school psychology services unless hired by a school corporation. An IPE school psychologist may work independently (such as in a private practice) or may work for an organization (such as a mental health facility). Please refer to IC 20-28-12-3 for additional description of the IPE legislation and requirements. 

Contact the IPE Office 

Please contact the IASP office for additional information about the IPE in Indiana: 
Indiana Association of School Psychologists 
125 W. Market Street, Suite 300 
Indianapolis, IN 46204 
Toll-free: 866-518-4472 or (local) 317-472-6955 
E-mail: kwilliams@thecorydongroup.com