1. Alex M. Siegel, J.D., Ph.D.
Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
1
2. Requirements for Licensure or
Registration
Tips for Obtaining Initial Registration
or License
Licensure Mobility
Helpful Resources
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3. Canada - by province/territory
◦ 10 Provinces
◦ Northwest Territories
United States - by state/territory
◦ 50 States
◦ Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam
◦ District of Columbia
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4. Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards
◦ State/provincial/territorial psychology regulatory
boards/colleges in the United States and Canada
◦ 64 member jurisdictions
◦ Services to licensing boards, applicants for
licensure/registration, licensed psychologists
◦ Goal is to be the international source of
information and offer model programs on
regulation of psychologists
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5. Graduate degree in psychology
Supervised professional experience (SPE)
◦ 1500 to 6000 hours of SPE
Examinations
◦ Examination for Professional Practice in
Psychology (EPPP)
◦ Jurisprudence and/or Ethics Exam
◦ Oral Examination
Requirements vary across jurisdictions 5
7. Most (49) states require a doctoral degree for
licensure as a Psychologist
One (1) state (West Virginia) requires a masters
degree for licensure as a Psychologist
Two (2) jurisdictions also license at masters level
for independent practice, different title:
Oregon: Psychological Associate
Vermont: Psychologist - Master
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8. Three jurisdictions (BC, MB, ON)
◦ Psychologist: doctoral degree
◦ Psychological Associate: masters degree
Six jurisdictions (AB, SK, NS, PE, NL, NWT)
◦ Psychologist: doctoral or masters degree
Two jurisdictions (QC, NB) have changed from
masters to doctoral degree
◦ QC currently requires doctoral degree
◦ NB will require doctoral degree in 2011
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9. Must be a recognized psychology program
(accredited or designated)
Specific courses may be required
CPA/APA accredited doctoral program
may meet all degree requirements
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10. 41.31(5)
First time applicants who were enrolled in
doctoral program prior to March 23, 1991will
have their educational credentials evaluated
under regulations in effect at that time.
If apply under 41.42(b)[reapplication] will
have credentials evaluated under regulations
in effect at time of reapplication
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11. Old 41.31(b) prior to June 30, 2008
REQUIREMENTS
Education
1) Program Director completes the
Verification of Doctoral Program Approval
Status reflecting APA or CPA Accreditation or
2) Program has ASPPB/NR Designation or
Within 1 year from the award of Doctoral
Degree
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12. Must demonstrate applicant’s satisfactory
completion of core, specialty, practicum and
internship:
1)Recognized Sequence within the overall
program or department
2) Comprises Integrated, Organized Sequence
of Study
Ethics
Research Design and Methodology
Statistics and Psychometrics
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13. Competence in 4 Substantive Content Areas:
Biological Bases of Behavior
Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behavior
Social Bases of Behavior
Individual Differences
Specialty Courses, Practicum, Internship
At least 60 graduate hours of above
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14. Each degree candidate complete a minimum
of two consecutive academic semesters as a
matriculated student physically present at the
institution grating the degree
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15. If apply under 41.42(b) will have their
credentials evaluated under the regulations in
effect at the time of reapplication
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16. 41.31(4)
First time applicants who enrolled in a
graduate degree program in psychology or
field related to psychology on or after July
1, 2008 will be evaluated under theses
regulations.
MUST BE FROM APA or CPA ACCREDITED OR
ASPPB/NR DESIGNATED PROGRAM
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17. Two years (3,000 hours) of supervised
experience typically required, usually one
of these must be postdoctoral
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18. Some states include APPIC most don’t
Some states include APA most don’t
Advantage of APPIC Member/APA
accredited is program has been peer
reviewed and said to meet minimal
standards
Have some recourse if problems
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19. Hours Number of Jurisdictions
•2000 11
•1900 2
•1800 6
•1750 5
•1600 1
•1500 14
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20. Practicum Hours NOT Counted
(OLD)Predoc Internship:
supervised training for at least 450 hours
learning activities for an average of 2 hours a
week
Interact formally and informally with psychologist
and other trainees
For 1 year and include at least 1500 hours with
25% (375 hours) in direct patient contact and no
more than 25% in research
Part time for two year half time
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21. New Regs do not define internship
requirements since it is part of the doctoral
program requirements.
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22. Hours Number of Jurisdictions
•3000-4000 3
•2000 9
•1900 2
•1800 6
•1750 4
•1600 3
•1500 15
•1000 1
•1 year 6
•None 3
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23. POST DOC (old)
1500 hours is defined as a year (37.5 weeks)
At least one half of experience in direct
services
MUST BE SUPERVISED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST
HOLDING CURRENT LICENSE
SUPERVISOR MEETS INDIVIDUALLY FOR AN
AVERAGE OF TWO HOURS A WEEK
MAY DELEGATE 1 HOUR
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24. 1) INDEPENDENT PRIVATE PRACTICE AS A
QUALIFIED MEMBER OF ANOTHER
RECOGNIZED PROFESSION
2)INDEPENDENT PRIVATE PRACTICE AS A
CERTIFIED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
3)PRACITICE AS AN INDEPENDENT
CONTRACTOR
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25. New 41.32
Shall complete 1 year of acceptable post doc
supervised experience
First time applicants who commence post doc
as of December 6, 2010;
1) 1 year is calculated as at least 12 months
consisting of 1750 hours
2) no more than 45 hours and no less than
15 hours may be counted each week
3) At least 50% direct services
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26. 1) experience is obtained for each entity for a
minimum of 6 consecutive months
2) experience occurs for a minimum of 15
hours per week at each setting
3) total experience for all settings does not
exceed 45 hours
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27. Acceptable Experience
1) practice at entity consistent with
psychologist’s education and training
2) No experience may be obtained if
psychology resident acts independently
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28. All experience must be obtained under
supervision of a primary supervision
Primary – if obtained from more than 1
supervisor, hall have a primary supervisor at
each entity.
Delegated- may delegate supervision for up
to 1 hour per week
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29. Examination for Professional Practice in
Psychology (EPPP)
◦ Published by ASPPB; copyright
◦ 200 multiple choice items on knowledge base
essential for independent practice 225 total
questions 25 are pretest
◦ Computer administered at local site
throughout calendar year, 4 hour and 15 min
◦ Candidate must be approved by regulatory
board/college to take exam
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30. Jurisprudence and/or ethics examination
required in several jurisdictions (may be
oral or written)
PPLE in PA. 30 questions on law and regs
Oral examination of practice competence
required by less than half of the
jurisdictions (Competency-Laws-Interview)
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31. Measures broad general, foundational
knowledge for all psychologist
Content validity supported by periodic
Practice Analyses
criteria for item inclusion:
Entry level knowledge
Protection of the Public
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32. BIOLOGICAL BASES OF BEHAVIOR (12%)
COGNITIVE-AFFECTIVE BASES BEHAVIOR (13%)
SOCIAL & CULTURAL BASES BEHAVIOR (12%)
GROWTH & LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT (12%)
ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSIS (14%)
TREATMENT, INTERVENTION, PREVENTION
AND SUPERVISION (14%)
RESEARCH METHODS & STATISTICS (8%)
ETHICAL/LEGAL/PROFESSIONAL ISSUES (15%)
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33. Numerous studies have supported reliability
& content validity of EPPP
Data suggest preparation beyond 200 hours
yields diminishing returns
Data suggest best time to take EPPP within 3
years of graduation
In PA, regs now will allow applicant’s to take
EPPP after doctoral degree and during post
year. Do not have to wait until after post doc
anymore
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34. There are easy and hard version“The Monster”
Items not related to what psychologist do
Pretest questions are clumped at the
beginning
Majority of candidates fail
See Myths vs. Reality of EPPP brochure
At www.asppb.net
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35. Doctoral degree first-time takers: 83%
APA/CPA accredited graduates: 78%
NON APA/CPA graduates: 53%
APA/CPA/APPIC internship: 80%
No APA/CPA accredited/APPIC: 54%
My impression for the last 12 years in PA are
similar to the national numbers
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36. The process of licensure
◦ Licensing differences in jurisdictions
◦ Resources
EPPP and other examinations
◦ Resources
Ways to practice without a license
◦ SPE
◦ Clinical Research
Accessing Information
◦ Be careful with listserv information
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37. Select a recognized/accredited training
program
Follow standard/prescribed curriculum
(don’t seek waivers, special considerations)
Select recognized internship/post doctoral
placement with established history,
multiple supervisors, etc.
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38. Identify jurisdiction(s) of interest & research
licensure requirements (note variations and seek
to meet most stringent)
Deposit your credentials in recognized credentials
bank
Prepare to take the EPPP (content
outline, practice tests, retired questions, review
courses, study groups)
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39. On-line Practice EPPP
Practice EPPP at Prometric Sites
Information for Candidates Brochure
(includes content outline & weightings)
Handbook of Licensure Requirements &
Directory of Member Jurisdictions & their
laws & regulations
Items from Previous EPPP Exams
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40. Electronically Stored record of:
University transcripts
Supervised experience
Work experience
Examination Performance
Reference letters
ASPPB provides primary source verification so
you should never have to retrieve these
materials again.
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41. Apply to State Board of Psychology for
licensure at www.dos.state.pa.us/psych
Go to Board Applications
Complete application if all requirements met
OR if taking EPPP prior to post doc
Board reviews credentials
If Board approves credentials then it will give
you the ASPPB email asppb.net to use PsyIMS
to register for the EPPP.
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42. Series of form to collect applicant
background and contact information
For accommodation, submit documentation
Candidates either pay on line with credit card
or can mail certified check or money order
Cost $450, plus administrative fees
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43. PES sends Pa Board letter that candidate
completed forms and fees.
Board approves
PES sends Authorization to Test letter to
candidate to schedule exam at Prometric
location of candidate’s choice
Must sit for exam within 60 days
Bring ID to test site
Results twice a month to Board then to
candidate
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44. Board sends candidates name to test service
(PSC) and PSC sends out application to take
the PPLE
Candidate pays fee
Candidate schedules the exam
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45. If pass both exams and completed all
requirements Board sends
LICENSE TO THE NEW PSYCHOLOGIST
If take EPPP and PPLE during post doc year
then when complete post doc have post doc
supervisor complete form and send letter of
recommendation
LICENSE TO NEW PSYCHOLOGIST
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46. For those already licensed/registered with no
disciplinary sanctions
Mechanisms to facilitate mobility:
◦ Certificate of Professional Qualification
◦ Reciprocity Agreement
◦ Mutual Recognition Agreement
Interview and jurisprudence exam may be
required
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47. Most new practitioners will relocate at least once in
their career
Slight variations in registration and licensure
requirements can become huge obstacles later (e.g.
intern hrs)
Documenting supervised experience, course
content, etc. becomes more difficult over time
Licensing/registration boards can not accept
personal copies of documents because of possible
fraud
Training programs, internship sites
close, supervisors and their records disappear
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48. Program of ASPPB
Individual must meet requirements for
CPQ
Includes credentials bank feature
Low cost to obtain & maintain
Licensure Mobility
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49. Accepted by 39 jurisdictions in Canada & United
States
7 more jurisdictions in the process of accepting
the CPQ for licensure
9 more jurisdictions recognize the CPQ for
licensure
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50. Jurisdictions in Canada:
AB, BC, MB, NS, ON, QC
Jurisdictions in the United States:
AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, HI, ID, K
Y, LA, MI, MS, MO, ND, NV, NE, NH, NM, N
C, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VT, VA
WV, WI, WY
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51. These jurisdictions have “voted” to
accept the CPQ, and are in the process of
making legislative or administrative
changes necessary for implementation.
Jurisdictions in Canada
NB, PEI, SK
Jurisdictions in the United States
AK, ME, MN, SD
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52. These jurisdictions may waive at least one
licensure requirement for applicants who
hold an active CPQ for a minimum time
period as specified by the licensing board.
Jurisdictions in Canada: NL
Jurisdictions in the United States
IA, MD, MA, MT, NJ, TN, TX, WA
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54. 11 jurisdictions (2 provinces, 9 states)
Jurisdiction must meet requirements of
Agreement to participate
Psychologist licensed with no disciplinary
sanctions in one participating jurisdiction
may seek registration/licensure in
another participating jurisdiction
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55. Jurisdictions in Canada
MB, ON
Jurisdictions in the United States
AR, KY, MO, MS, NV, NH, OK, TX, WI
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57. Canada:
◦ 10 provinces and Northwest Territories
Various recognition mechanisms
Principal recognition mechanism is registration
or licensure based on:
◦ evaluation of core competencies
◦ evaluation of foundational knowledge
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58. ◦ Information about the Licensing Exam
◦ Practice Examinations & Sample Items
◦ Information about Licensure Requirements
Handbook of Licensing and Regulations
Contact Information for Registration Boards
Links to Laws & Regulations in Every Jurisdiction
◦ ASPPB Credentials Verification Program
◦ Mobility Mechanisms
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59. Legal Issues and Legislative Updates
Handling Legal and Ethical Dilemmas &
Avoiding Disciplinary Action
Professional Conduct & Discipline in
Psychology (APA Books)
Trends in the Profession
Prescription Privileges
Tele-practice
Distance Education
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