The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards

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Protects the public Limits license to qualified individuals Sets enforceable standards of professional

conduct Serves best interest of the public

and the profession

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Recognized graduate training program in psychology (e.g., ASPPB/NR designated; APA/CPA accredited)Completion of required coursework, including practicum experiencesCompletion of internshipCompletion 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

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Sequence of Training Leading to Licensure

Academic ProgramPracticum

Dissertation/ThesisInternship

Graduation

Postdoctoral ExperienceTesting

Licensure

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Most licensure laws are genericSome licensing laws require inclusion of specific coursework such as ethics, multicultural awareness/competenceJurisdictions may have different requirements about acceptable residency requirements in graduate training programs (most require physical presence, not just full-time enrollment)Jurisdictions will have specific requirements about number of hours of practicum/internship, postdoctoral supervised professional experience

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www.asppb.net contains:

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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.

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ASPPB has not changed its Model Licensure ActPracticum 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 closelyASPPB’s Practicum Guidelines document (www.asppb.net/PracticumGuidelines)

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Organized, sequential series of supervised experiences of increasing complexityFollow appropriate academic preparation Overseen by the graduate training programGraded complexityMinimum time on site

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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

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Commitment to training of psychologists

Psychologist with knowledge of the setting in charge of training

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Types: Practicum, internship, post-doctoralTotal hours of experienceTotal hours of supervisionHours of supervision per weekTotal hours of service-related activitiesQualifications of supervisor(s): Licensure as psychologist, years of experience, competence in supervision, affiliation with training site

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Requirements vary among jurisdictionsAvoid problems/delays caused by not knowing jurisdictional requirements Understand jurisdictional requirements early in trainingReconcile differences between training program, training site and licensing requirements before completing the experience

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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

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Measures broad, general, foundational knowledge for all psychologists225-item, multiple choice test; 175 operational, 50 pretest items starting August 2011Used for licensure in 62 U.S. and Canadian

jurisdictionsContent validity supported by periodic Practice Analyses

• Protection of the public• Entry level practice

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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%)

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Biological and neural bases of behaviorDrug classification of therapeutic agents and drugs of abusePharmacological and somatic treatment of mental disordersBehavioral geneticsInteraction of developmental, gender, ethnic, cultural, environmental, and experiential factors with biologicalBrain imaging

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Elements of cognitionTheories and models of intelligenceMajor theories/models of learning, memory, motivation, emotion, and their applicationsInterrelation of cognitions/beliefs, behavior, affect, temperament, and moodPsychosocial influences

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Social cognition and perceptionSocial interactionGroup dynamics and organizational structuresEnvironmental/ecological psychologyEvolutionary perspectives on social behaviorMajor theories of personalitySocial-contextual issues of race/ethnicity, gender, disability, rehabilitation, sexual orientationOppressionAcculturationCulturally mediated communication

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Normal growth & developmentGenetics & environment interactionTheories of development, including influence of culture and of disorders/diseasesFamily development and configurationNormative and non-normative life event changesSystem factors

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Psychometric theoryAssessment theories, models and methodsTests to measure characteristics and behaviors of individuals; of job performance and organizations; and of change due to interventionsIssues of differential diagnosis and integration of non-psychological informationCriteria for selection of assessment methods and interpretation of dataUtilization of various classification systemsEpidemiology of behavioral disordersUse of technology

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Treatment decision-making based on available dataContemporary theories/models of interventionAdaptation of techniques with special populationsInterventions to enhance growth and performanceCareer counselingConsultation models and processes

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Adjunctive interventionsUse of technologyHealthcare systems, structures, and economicsHealth promotion, interventions to reduce risk and increase resilienceContemporary theories/models of supervision

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Sampling and data collectionResearch methods & designStatistics & analytic methodsStatistical interpretationCritical appraisal and application of research findingsEvaluation strategies & techniquesPresentation & dissemination of research findingsCommunity involvement in research; underrepresented populations

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APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct and/or Canadian Code of Ethics for PsychologistsProfessional standards and guidelinesPertinent federal, state/provincial/territorial laws/statutes or judicial decisionsModels of ethical decision-makingModels for professional development

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Legal, ethical, policy implications of current and emerging issuesClient rightsEthical issues in conduct of researchEthical issues in supervision

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Item tests knowledge important for entry levelpractice

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?

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ASPPB Information for Candidates (download from website – www.asppb.net)

ASPPB’s Guide for Students and Faculty: Entry Requirements for the Professional Practice of Psychology (download from website www.asppb.net/files/public/09_Entry_Requirements.pdf)

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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

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TextbooksCourse materialsStudy groupsTest specification materials from ASPPB

(Practice Exams)

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Many commercial companies offer study materialsASPPB has no connection to any commercial companyASPPB does NOT sanction any of them nor provide them with test items

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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 aPrometric Testing Center

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There are easy and hard versions of the EPPPThe items are not related to what psychologists doThe pretest questions are clumped at the beginningThe majority of candidates failSee Myth vs. Reality of the EPPP at

www.asppb.net

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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%

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Most jurisdictions (states, provinces, or territories) require some type of jurisdictional law and regulations examination

This exam may be written or oral

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Case vignetteDiagnosticsCase conceptualizationAwareness of own professional limitsAbility to handle crisisDiversity issuesEthics & law

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Professional maturity and professional identitySelf-awarenessAbility to apply knowledge & theoryAbility to exercise professional judgment “on the spot” Ability to individualize treatment planAbility to handle crisis situations

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Inability to function independentlyLack of integrated theoretical orientationInability to assess and follow-up with treatment planUnaware of self as factor in treatmentLack of knowledge/ability to apply lawsInability to recognize limits of own competency

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ASPPB Credentials Bank (“The Bank”): A Credentials Verification and Storage Program: Banking credentials for entire careerCertificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ): Licensure mobility across jurisdictional boundariesInterjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC): Short-term practice across jurisdictional boundaries without adding more licenses

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“The Bank” can be started during graduate school

IPC requires an active license

CPQ requires five years of licensure and no disciplinary action

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Highly mobile societyWidely differing requirements for licensure across jurisdictionsProgressive difficulty obtaining training documentation over time (agencies close, supervisors leave)Career plans changeDisasters happenFree for students and lower fees for recent graduates that can be credited toward later CPQ application feesPrimary source verification conducted on credentials

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Documents Needed for Initial Licensure:

EPPP Scores

Transcripts

Oral & Jurisprudence exams

Supervised Professional Experience (Practicum, Internship and Post-doctoral hours)

Specialty training

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Documents Needed for Job Applications and Continuing Licensure:

Continuing Education certificates Reference letters Awards Verification of Liability Insurance

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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 licensureOther jurisdictions in use CPQ to waive some requirements Check ASPPB website for specific requirements

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Getting licensed in another jurisdiction can be difficult and time-consumingJurisdictional 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

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ConsultationCourtroom testimonyShort term therapy after a move (in some jurisdictions)Disaster reliefI/O job and management analysesCheck the ASPPB website for more information

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Permanently and safely store trainee recordsNo chargewww.asppb.net/CTPVS

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Psychology Licensure and Certification: What Students Need to Know

Edited by Thomas J. Vaughn, Ph.D.Published by American Psychological Association, 2006.

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Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards

P.O. Box 3079Peachtree City, GA 30269Phone: (678) 216-1175 or (800) 448-4069Fax: (678) 216-1176General E-mail: asppb@asppb.orgWebsite: www.asppb.net

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