The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards
Protects the public Limits license to qualified individuals Sets enforceable standards of professional conduct Serves best interest of the public and the profession
Recognized graduate training program in psychology (e.g., ASPPB/NR designated; APA/CPA accredited) Completion of required coursework, including practicum experiences Completion of internship Completion of doctoral degree (required in majority of jurisdictions) Completion of postdoctoral supervised experience (required in vast majority of jurisdictions) Pass all examinations required for licensure in jurisdiction of interest
Sequence of Training Leading to Licensure Academic Program Practicum Dissertation/Thesis Internship Graduation Postdoctoral Experience Testing Licensure
Most licensure laws are generic Some licensing laws require inclusion of specific coursework such as ethics, multicultural awareness/competence Jurisdictions may have different requirements about acceptable residency requirements in graduate training programs (most require physical presence, not just fulltime enrollment) Jurisdictions will have specific requirements about number of hours of practicum/internship, postdoctoral supervised professional experience
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The American Psychological Association recommends that for admission to licensure applicants demonstrate that they have completed two years of supervised experience, which can be completed prior or subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree.
ASPPB has not changed its Model Licensure Act Practicum takes on new significance No longer just preparatory for internship Takes on regulatory significance Effect on mobility Unintended (but positive) consequence of forcing us to examine practica more closely ASPPB s Practicum Guidelines document (/PracticumGuidelines)
Organized, sequential series of supervised experiences of increasing complexity Follow appropriate academic preparation Overseen by the graduate training program Graded complexity Minimum time on site
A training plan between the student, the practicum training site, and the graduate training program How the trainee s time is allotted Specification of the goals and objectives of the practicum Methods of evaluation Nature of supervision Rationale for the experience
Commitment to training of psychologists Psychologist with knowledge of the setting in charge of training
Types: Practicum, internship, post-doctoral Total hours of experience Total hours of supervision Hours of supervision per week Total hours of service-related activities Qualifications of supervisor(s): Licensure as psychologist, years of experience, competence in supervision, affiliation with training site
Requirements vary among jurisdictions Avoid problems/delays caused by not knowing jurisdictional requirements Understand jurisdictional requirements early in training Reconcile differences between training program, training site and licensing requirements before completing the experience
EPPP: Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (required in all U.S. states, 3 U.S. territories and 9 Canadian provinces) Local jurisprudence/ethics exam (used to assess knowledge of local mental health laws, ethical standards) Possible oral exam, competency exam, or interview
Measures broad, general, foundational knowledge for all psychologists 225-item, multiple choice test; 175 operational, 50 pretest items starting August 2011 Used for licensure in 62 U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions Content validity supported by periodic Practice Analyses Protection of the public Entry level practice
Biological bases of behavior (12%) Cognitive-affective bases of behavior (11%) Social and cultural bases of behavior (12%) Growth and lifespan development (12%) Assessment and diagnosis (14%) Treatment, intervention, prevention, and supervision (14%) Research methods and statistics (8%) Ethical, legal, and professional issues (15%)
Biological and neural bases of behavior Drug classification of therapeutic agents and drugs of abuse Pharmacological and somatic treatment of mental disorders Behavioral genetics Interaction of developmental, gender, ethnic, cultural, environmental, and experiential factors with biological Brain imaging
Elements of cognition Theories and models of intelligence Major theories/models of learning, memory, motivation, emotion, and their applications Interrelation of cognitions/beliefs, behavior, affect, temperament, and mood Psychosocial influences
Social cognition and perception Social interaction Group dynamics and organizational structures Environmental/ecological psychology Evolutionary perspectives on social behavior Major theories of personality Social-contextual issues of race/ethnicity, gender, disability, rehabilitation, sexual orientation Oppression Acculturation Culturally mediated communication
Normal growth & development Genetics & environment interaction Theories of development, including influence of culture and of disorders/diseases Family development and configuration Normative and non-normative life event changes System factors
Psychometric theory Assessment theories, models and methods Tests to measure characteristics and behaviors of individuals; of job performance and organizations; and of change due to interventions Issues of differential diagnosis and integration of nonpsychological information Criteria for selection of assessment methods and interpretation of data Utilization of various classification systems Epidemiology of behavioral disorders Use of technology
Treatment decision-making based on available data Contemporary theories/models of intervention Adaptation of techniques with special populations Interventions to enhance growth and performance Career counseling Consultation models and processes
Adjunctive interventions Use of technology Healthcare systems, structures, and economics Health promotion, interventions to reduce risk and increase resilience Contemporary theories/models of supervision
Sampling and data collection Research methods & design Statistics & analytic methods Statistical interpretation Critical appraisal and application of research findings Evaluation strategies & techniques Presentation & dissemination of research findings Community involvement in research; underrepresented populations
APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and/or Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists Professional standards and guidelines Pertinent federal, state/provincial/territorial laws/statutes or judicial decisions Models of ethical decision-making Models for professional development
Legal, ethical, policy implications of current and emerging issues Client rights Ethical issues in conduct of research Ethical issues in supervision
Item tests knowledge important for entry level practice May not be the same knowledge as comps or dissertation defense Knowledge of the item content relevant to protection of the public Would not knowing this information cause less competent practice that might result in harm to the public?
ASPPB Information for Candidates (download from website ) ASPPB s Guide for Students and Faculty: Entry Requirements for the Professional Practice of Psychology (download from website /files/public/09_entry_requirements.pdf)
Numerous studies have supported reliability and content validity of EPPP Data suggest preparation beyond 200 hours yields diminishing returns Data suggest best to take EPPP within 3 years of graduation
Textbooks Course materials Study groups Test specification materials from ASPPB (Practice Exams)
Many commercial companies offer study materials ASPPB has no connection to any commercial company ASPPB does NOT sanction any of them nor provide them with test items
PEPPPO: Practice Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology Online - ($55.00) Taken on home computer PEPPP: Practice Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology - ($101.50) Taken under real-world testing conditions at a Prometric Testing Center
There are easy and hard versions of the EPPP The items are not related to what psychologists do The pretest questions are clumped at the beginning The majority of candidates fail See Myth vs. Reality of the EPPP at
Examples from 2008-2010: Doctoral degree first-time takers: 82% APA/CPA accredited program graduates: 78% Non APA/CPA program graduates: 58% APA/CPA accredited /APPIC member internship: 82% No APA/CPA accredited / APPIC member internship: 68%
Most jurisdictions (states, provinces, or territories) require some type of jurisdictional law and regulations examination This exam may be written or oral
Case vignette Diagnostics Case conceptualization Awareness of own professional limits Ability to handle crisis Diversity issues Ethics & law
Professional maturity and professional identity Self-awareness Ability to apply knowledge & theory Ability to exercise professional judgment on the spot Ability to individualize treatment plan Ability to handle crisis situations
Inability to function independently Lack of integrated theoretical orientation Inability to assess and follow-up with treatment plan Unaware of self as factor in treatment Lack of knowledge/ability to apply laws Inability to recognize limits of own competency
ASPPB Credentials Bank ( The Bank ): A Credentials Verification and Storage Program: Banking credentials for entire career Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ): Licensure mobility across jurisdictional boundaries Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC): Shortterm practice across jurisdictional boundaries without adding more licenses
The Bank can be started during graduate school IPC requires an active license CPQ requires five years of licensure and no disciplinary action
Highly mobile society Widely differing requirements for licensure across jurisdictions Progressive difficulty obtaining training documentation over time (agencies close, supervisors leave) Career plans change Disasters happen Free for students and lower fees for recent graduates that can be credited toward later CPQ application fees Primary source verification conducted on credentials
Documents Needed for Initial Licensure: EPPP Scores Transcripts Oral & Jurisprudence exams Supervised Professional Experience (Practicum, Internship and Post-doctoral hours) Specialty training
Documents Needed for Job Applications and Continuing Licensure: Continuing Education certificates Reference letters Awards Verification of Liability Insurance
A certificate of licensure eligibility to facilitate mobility for individuals meeting ASPPB standards Requires meeting common criteria, including doctoral degree in psychology, 5 years of licensure, no discipline Currently accepted in 44 jurisdictions, 2 jurisdictions are in process of accepting the CPQ and 11 jurisdictions recognize the CPQ for licensure Other jurisdictions in use CPQ to waive some requirements Check ASPPB website for specific requirements
Getting licensed in another jurisdiction can be difficult and time-consuming Jurisdictional licensure requirements vary (e.g., may require starting application process from beginning; may require additional coursework or supervised experience) Jurisdictions that accept the CPQ have agreed that those psychologists have met their basic credentials requirements
Consultation Courtroom testimony Short term therapy after a move (in some jurisdictions) Disaster relief I/O job and management analyses Check the ASPPB website for more information
Permanently and safely store trainee records No charge /CTPVS
Psychology Licensure and Certification: What Students Need to Know Edited by Thomas J. Vaughn, Ph.D. Published by American Psychological Association, 2006.
Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards P.O. Box 3079 Peachtree City, GA 30269 Phone: (678) 216-1175 or (800) 448-4069 Fax: (678) 216-1176 General E-mail: asppb@asppb.org Website: