News
N.C. Psychology Board Proposals Would Impact LPAs
The N.C. Psychology Board recently proposed rule changes that are important to LPAs. These proposed changes were the subject of a public hearing on December 2nd, where NCAPP presented a position paper voicing concerns about the rules’ impact on LPAs. Learn more about the rules below.
One part of the rule change would eliminate Category B continuing education credits and would increase the minimum number of CE hours from 18 to 24 per biennium. The earlier rationale for Category B credits was to lessen the burden on psychologists who, because of their remote location or physical disability, would have had difficulty fulfilling heavier Category A requirements. The Board reasoned that this issue no longer applies because in the years since mandatory continuing education was instituted in North Carolina CE activities offered by approved sponsors have proliferated across the state and on the internet.
Regarding the increase in CE hours, the Board found that North Carolina’s required hours lagged behind other states. A review of data collected by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards shows that, of the 43 states that require continuing education, North Carolina’s requirement of 18 hours per biennium is the least of any except for one other state.
Another part of the proposed rule changes would add three hours of mandatory training for supervisors. The Board reasoned that this change in supervision rules was important because of the abundance of educational letters, as well as remedial and disciplinary actions, related to supervision rules infractions observed in recent years. Often, psychologists have appeared not to comply with supervision requirements due to a lack of knowledge regarding applicable Board rules.
Psychologists who are currently supervising licensed psychological associates, provisionally licensed psychologists, individuals who have applied for licensure, and licensees who require supervision as part of a disciplinary sanction would have to receive the training no later than February 1, 2012. Subsequently, a psychologist who had not received the training, but who intended to supervise someone in the above categories would have to receive the training before he or she could begin supervising.
More information on these rule changes is available on the N.C. Psychology Board’s website.
NCAPP is working with NCPA in an effort to provide a pathway to independence for LPAs. After three meetings, we have sent a joint letter to our membership outlining the issues and concerns. There will be another joint meeting on February 29th to discuss feedback from this joint letter and to begin exploring possible solutions.