Article archive / September 1, 2012
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 1. Source pages: 1, 2.
In the August issue of the Louisiana Register, the state psychology board published their “Notice of Intent” to change the rules governing continuing education for licensed psychologists.
The psychology board has proposed two main
changes. They intend to increase continuing education hours from the present biannual requirement of 30 hours, to 40 hours.
They will also expand the types of activities that can be submitted for credit. These will include practice monitoring, journal clubs, and work on committees, for example.
The public has until September 10 to submit comments about the proposed changes. Comments and questions can be sent to Executive Director, Kelly Parker.
According to the Notice, the reporting periods beginning July 2012 (for even numbered licenses) and beginning July 2013 (for odd numbered licenses) will continue with the 30-hour requirement. However, the types of activities submitted include the ten new categories of professional development and conform
to the percentage of total hours that a psychologist can claim for each type of activity. Then, in the next biannual cycle, the number of credits required will increase to 40.
The proposed categories appear to tract the recommendations of the Associations of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASBBP). They are:
1. Peer Consultation (1 hour of peer consultation equals 1 credit). Examples include case consultation groups, journal clubs, regional research groups, mentoring, and shadowing a colleague. Up to 50 percent of total hours is allowed.
2. Practice Outcome Monitoring (1 completed questionnaire equals 1 credit). This is an activity where the psychologist assesses patient/client outcomes with a questionnaire that is shown to be of empirical value. Up to 50 percent of total credit hours is allowed.
3. Professional Activities (1 year equals 10 credits) involves serving on a national, regional, or state psychological association board or committee or board member of regulatory body related to the field of psychology. This category can count for up to 25 percent of total credit hours.
4. Conferences and Conventions (1 conference day equals 1 credit). Attendance at a conference related to the field of psychology or a
conference, which aids in the licensee’s professional development, is allowed, and qualifies for up to 10 percent of total requirements.
5. Academic Courses (1 3-hour course or equivalent equals 20 credits). Examples include graduate-level course related to psychologist’s discipline and practice taken for credit from a regionally accredited university or one pre- approved by the board. This category can meet up to 50 percent of total credit hours.
6. Instruction (1 23-hour course equals 20 credits; 1 full-day workshop equals 10 credits). Instruction includes teaching a course in a regionally accredited institution or full day workshop presentation. Credit can only be received the first time teaching or presenting the material. Up to 50 percent of credits can be obtained in this category.
7. Publications (1 article equals 10 credits; book chapter equals 10 credits). Publications including authoring an article for peer- reviewed publications, or being the editor or co-editor of a book related to the field of psychology. This area can meet 25 percent of CPD requirements.
8. Traditional Continuing Education. Includes approved Sponsored CE (1 hour equals 1credit) workshops
from a recognized approved sponsor such as APA or any of its approved sponsors, academies of professional specialty boards, regionally accredited colleges or universities, continuing medical education in category 1 of AMA or its subsidiaries including grand rounds. Activities can meet 50 percent of total required CPDs.
9. Self-directed Learning (1 hour equals 1 credit). Examples include reading, videos, and/or other unsponsored activities. The maximum allowed toward requirement in this category is 10 percent of total.
10. Board Certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology. Certification equals 40 credits and can be used for the full CPD requirement during a reporting period, or split 20 hours in one period and 20 in another.
The Notice of Intent also covers reporting requirements, extensions, exemptions, and non- compliance, and can be found in full at the Louisiana Register website.
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards released a set of guidelines in June, recommending the increase to 40 hours and outlining the ten categories.
The Notice of Intent can be found in the August issue of the LA Register at:
http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/ OSR/reg/regs2012.htm
“Hola” at the LSBEP in June. In August the psychology board published proposed new guidelines to revamp the continuing education requirements to include new categories, including activities like serving on professional committees and client monitoring research. (Hola is Dr. Courtney’s dog.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.