Governor DeWine Signs Roegner Bill Ratifying Interstate Compact For School Psychologists

COLUMBUS—Governor Mike DeWine signed into law Senate Bill 276, sponsored by State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), which enters Ohio into the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists.

“Ohio students deserve timely access to the support and resources necessary for their well-being and academic success," said Senator Roegner. "Senate Bill 276 reduces unnecessary barriers for licensed school psychologists while maintaining professional standards, helping schools recruit and retain qualified professionals who can meet the needs of students and families across our state.”

As a member of the Compact, Ohio would be required to offer equivalent licenses to school psychologists from another member state of the Compact, subject to Ohio’s laws and rules governing school psychologists. The compact would also require Ohio to submit information regarding school psychologist licensees to the School Psychologist Interstate Licensure Compact Commission, including information related to identification, licensure, investigations, and adverse action.

SB 276 also modified the terms of the Interstate Massage Compact in the following ways:

• Specifying that the national examination required of massage therapists in compact member states includes the Massage and Bodywork Licensure Examination, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork if taken prior to January 1, 2015, or an equivalent examination approved by the Interstate Massage Compact Commission;
• Permitting applicants for a multistate license to have both graduated from an educational program approved in their home state and completed at least two years of continuous licensure with a single-state license, or a substantial equivalent established by the Commission rather than the current requirement of 625 hours of massage therapy education;
• Permitting active military members, or their spouses, to meet educational requirements by graduating from an educational program that meets the requirements of their designated home state;
• Permitting delegates to the Commission to be a member of their state's licensing board; and
• Permitting the Commission to elect two nonvoting members without specifying that one must be a representative of the National Association of State Massage Therapy Regulatory Boards.

The legislation also amends current law regarding continuing education for massage therapists, requiring licensed massage therapists to complete at least the number of hours of continuing education set by the State Medical Board.

Additionally, the legislation was amended to require school districts to allow students from neighboring school districts to participate in their extracurricular activities, provided that it is not offered by their home district.

Furthermore, SB 276 establishes the success sequence, a three-pronged framework for youth and young adults that decreases the likelihood of poverty in adulthood. The system's three points for success are as follows:

• Complete at least a high school education;
• Obtain full-time work; and
• Marry before having children.

Lastly, the bill requires the Department of Education and Workforce to create a report on a potential single, statewide hybrid assessment system. This system could allow the state to assess the educational progress of Ohio's students and create recommendations for improvements.

 Senate Bill 276 was signed into law by Governor DeWine on July 7th, 2026.

 
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