Licensure requirements

[MadWolf]

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Hi,

I can't remember where I read that only Clinical Psychology programs that are accredited by the APA would qualify someone for being able to get licensed. Anyone who graduated from a Clinical Science program was not eligible. Is there any truth to this? I'm being told that its not true.

I'm in Florida if that helps.

 

[DrGero]

Hi,

I can't remember where I read that only Clinical Psychology programs that are accredited by the APA would qualify someone for being able to get licensed. Anyone who graduated from a Clinical Science program was not eligible. Is there any truth to this? I'm being told that its not true.

I'm in Florida if that helps.

I have no idea about Florida, but here in California, AFAIK you can be licensed as long as you graduated with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from a regionally accredited school and completed a regionally accredited internship and passed the licensing exams.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

Hi,

I can't remember where I read that only Clinical Psychology programs that are accredited by the APA would qualify someone for being able to get licensed. Anyone who graduated from a Clinical Science program was not eligible. Is there any truth to this? I'm being told that its not true.

I'm in Florida if that helps.

It varies depending upon the state. In Florida one must have a doctoral degree from an APA accredited program.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Check here for individual state licensure information: http://www.kspope.com/licensing/index.php

 

[stigmata]

FYI, there is no such thing as regional accreditation for internships.

 

[docma]

Only APA "accredits" internships but you may qualify for licensure with internships that have APPIC membership or CAPIC membership (in California) or meet a detailed list of specific requirements outlined by each specific state. You must always look specifically at the relevant state's requirements and not rely on what you're told/have heard from peers or internet forums.

Similarly, many states will accept credentials from programs that are not labeled clinical psychology or counseling psychology--for example educational psychology, school psychology. Both the title of the program and their APA accreditation status may be relevant and you want to get clear about this sooner rather than later in your progress on the degree.

Your academic institutions can give you guidance on this but you should always look at state regs yourself and then ask questions if you are bewildered by the language of the regulations.

 

[DrGero]

FYI, there is no such thing as regional accreditation for internships.

Well, I did add the acronym "AFAIK" for a reason.

 

[DrGero]

Only APA "accredits" internships but you may qualify for licensure with internships that have APPIC membership or CAPIC membership (in California)

So what's the deal about CAPIC and APPIC then? If it's not actual accreditation, then what does being a "member" mean? They just pay a fee or something?

And why the quotes for "accredits"? Does APA not actually do site visits for their approved internship sites, have them meet minimal standards, etc.... is it not really "accreditation" in the formal sense or what?

Just a guy who's generally ignorant about all of this who wants to know.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

So what's the deal about CAPIC and APPIC then? If it's not actual accreditation, then what does being a "member" mean? They just pay a fee or something?

Direct from the source (APPIC, with my bolding):

ACCREDITATION: An internship program that has been accredited by APA or CPA has received the highest level of certification that a program can receive. The accreditation process involves considerable time and money, and requires the program to submit a lengthy self-study and to host an on-site visit by representatives of the accrediting body. As of March, 2009, over 450 internship programs were APA-accredited, while approximately 25 internship programs were CPA-accredited.

More information about accreditation can be found at the APA Accreditation page (see also the Frequently Asked Questions about accreditation) and the CPA accreditation page.

APPIC MEMBERSHIP: APPIC is not an accrediting body. However, in order for an internship program to be a member of APPIC, it must submit an application that describes how the program meets APPIC's membership criteria. No site visit is required, and programs that are accredited automatically qualify for APPIC membership. As of March, 2009, there were approximately 680 APPIC-member internship programs, 210 of which were non-accredited.

------

Here is some more useful information about the differences between APA and APPIC as it relates to training, job opportunities, and more specifically VA employment (also from the link above). I added titles to make it easier to read on here.

It is important to state up front that there are excellent internship programs that are accredited or APPIC members, as well as excellent programs that are not accredited nor APPIC members. Many non-accredited or non-APPIC member programs have not sought accreditation and/or APPIC membership because of cost; others have not done so because they do not yet meet all of the criteria set out by APA and/or APPIC.

Many students attend non-accredited or non-APPIC member internship programs each year and experience no difficulty with their future employment or licensure. However, some students who attend such programs do experience difficulties. It is important to understand that there are potential risks associated with attending a non-accredited or non-APPIC member program. You should carefully consider the requirements of three different entities:

Requirements of your doctoral program
YOUR DOCTORAL PROGRAM: Most graduate programs have minimum requirements regarding what constitutes an acceptable internship. Many require that you attend an accredited internship, while others permit either accredited or APPIC-member internships. So, be sure that you clearly understand the requirements of your doctoral program in this regard, as it is a waste of time to apply to a program that won't meet your doctoral program's requirements.

LICENSING BOARDS: Each state and provincial licensing board has its own rules for determining the types of internships that are acceptable. Just because an internship is acceptable to your doctoral program doesn't mean that it will be acceptable to a particular licensing board.

Licensure limitations
As of this writing, there are only a few jurisdictions that require an accredited internship in order to be licensed. Most others will accept a non-accredited internship, but many of those require the internship to meet certain criteria (which varies across jurisdictions). Much of the time, a site that is an APPIC member will meet that criteria, but there are no guarantees. Thus, attending a non-accredited internship program can increase the risk of having difficulties with the licensure process (e.g., if your internship is unacceptable to a particular licensing board).

If you plan to stay within a single jurisdiction, you can check with that licensing board to learn about its requirements for internship. If you don't know where you might want to get licensed, or if you might move to a different jurisdiction in the future, it can be difficult or impossible to know in advance whether a non-accredited or non-APPIC member internship will meet the requirements.

An excellent article, "Why accreditation matters," published by APAGS' GradPsych magazine in April, 2004, addressed some of the licensure and employment issues related to attending an accredited internship. Please note that some of the requirements listed in that article for specific jurisdictions may or may not be outdated, as requirements can change over time. In addition, information about licensure can be found at the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) web site.

Employment limitations based on accreditation
FUTURE EMPLOYERS: Some psychologist positions require applicants to have completed an accredited internship program. For example, psychologist positions at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics require completion of an APA-accredited (not CPA-accredited) internship program (please click here for more information about VA requirements). Furthermore, a considerable number of employment and postdoctoral fellowship positions prefer applicants who have completed accredited internships. So, attending an accredited internship can help with future employment. On the other hand, a considerable number of individuals report that completing a non-accredited internship does not hurt them in the job market.

Overall, there is not a "right answer" to the question of whether you should consider attending a non-accredited or non-APPIC member internship program. Attending an accredited program is certainly the safest option, as you almost certainly won't have to justify the quality of your internship to anyone in the future. In addition, it provides you with a "seal of approval" with regard to the quality of training that you will receive, and makes it unlikely that your internship program will be a barrier to licensure and/or future employment. Attending an APPIC-member internship that is not accredited does increase the risk to some extent, particularly for licensure boards or employers that require an accredited internship, though most APPIC-member Training Directors will tell you that their students do just fine overall. Attending a non-accredited, non-APPIC member internship is where you assume the most risk, given that there has been no external body that has reviewed the site to ensure that it meets established standards of quality, and given the potential risks to future licensure and employment opportunities.

Programs "In the process of getting accredited"
Some programs may tell you that they are planning to apply (or have already applied) for initial accreditation or APPIC membership, have a site visit scheduled, or are at some other point in the process. While a site may have the best of intentions, you should be aware that the application and/or approval processes for initial accreditation and/or APPIC membership may take far longer (even months or years longer) than a site anticipates. There is no guarantee that a program will ultimately achieve those goals or will achieve them in a timely manner. Thus, while a site in the midst of the initial application process may convey confidence that they will ultimately be successful, you should accept an internship offer from such a site only if you clearly understand the risks in doing so.

The decision as to whether to attend a non-accredited or non-APPIC member internship program can be a difficult one, particularly if the student is geographically restricted or is attempting to find an internship via the APPIC Clearinghouse. We encourage you to consult with faculty or other knowledgable individuals, to carefully consider your career interests and options, and to familiarize yourself with issues related to licensure and future employment.

Finally, it is important to remember that sites do not have to be accredited or APPIC members in order to participate in the APPIC Match or Clearinghouse. APPIC Members are listed in the APPIC Directory Online, and their accreditation status is included in their Directory listings (and may be double-checked at the APA or CPA web sites). In addition, the list of programs that participate in the APPIC Match (available at the National Matching Services web site) includes information on the accreditation and APPIC membership status of all participating programs.

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VA Requirements
FOOTNOTE - SUMMARY OF VA REQUIREMENTS: Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics require a psychologist to be a U.S. Citizen, to have graduated from an APA-accredited doctoral program, and to have completed an APA-accredited internship. CPA-accredited doctoral programs and internships do not qualify. However, under certain circumstances, new VA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement. If you have questions about specific VA internship programs, or about the eligibility requirements for VA employment, please contact Dr. Robert Zeiss at the VA's Office of Academic Affiliations at 202-461-9493 or via e-mail at [email protected].

 

[Depthstudent]

After 3 years of study and almost $80,000, I discovered my state requires that you spend one year actually in residence at your Ph.D. program. I have a choice now of continuing with my program to earn a Ph.D. which won't allow me to practice in my state, to plan on moving, or to try to transfer to another school and repeat coursework.

They are trying to discredit distance learning programs, saying that students don't get an adequate integration into the profession this way. The problem is, they are painting all programs with the same brush, including those (like mine) structured with monthly intensive workshops --the statute says this doesn't count as "residence" even though the point of residence seems to be to build personal relationships with faculty and colleagues, which my program has done BETTER than I've experienced in my last graduate program.

My question is, has anyone else run into this problem? There seems to be a real disconnect between educational systems and real life: I'm sure I'm not the only person in this position. And if not, what can be done? If APA certifies a program, it seems that the residency requirement should be waived. Anyway, looking for people with similar experiences.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

They are trying to discredit distance learning programs, saying that students don't get an adequate integration into the profession this way.

I think the crux of the issue is that a great deal of learning is done outside of the classroom and clinic, and distance learning programs fail to adequately account for this time. It appears that distance learning programs are putting more emphasis on classroom learning, self-study, and condensed mentorship opportunities. IMHO, the study of clinical psychology does not lend itself well to an online format, which is one reason why there is such distance for any type of distance learning (blended or not). I haven't see solid peer-reviewed & independantly verified research supporting that distance learning training within the field of clinical psychology is equiv. to traditional residential learning.

The problem is, they are painting all programs with the same brush, including those (like mine) structured with monthly intensive workshops --the statute says this doesn't count as "residence" even though the point of residence seems to be to build personal relationships with faculty and colleagues, which my program has done BETTER than I've experienced in my last graduate program.

I believe the point of requiring a residence is to not allow "corrospondence training", which is highly dependant on self-study, and much less about close mentorship. Way back when there was corrospondence training (prior to the advent of the Internet), and most academics were skeptical of this type of self-guided learning. I think the major issue as it applies to Clinical Psychology is a lack of quality control because there is far less contact over the entirety of the training. The study of Clinical Psychology needs to be immersive, intensive, and under direct mentorship and supervision.

Unfortunately I don't have good advice as to your situation, as you are between a rock and a hard place. Relocation is probably the best of the options you have, though it sounds like that is not a preferred option. Your situation is a perfect example of why I harp on students about really investigating their path because there can be quite a bit of variance between states.

As for how a program can be APA acred. and not be licensable in all 50 states....it comes down to whatever was included in each state's laws. The APA provides recommendations for what should be included in the legislation, but they have no say in what actually gets included and signed into law. Once the legislation is in place, it is the responsibility of the licensing board to enforce the legislation and grant/suspend/revoke licensure. The APA has a parallel role of enforcement, though it only applies to the clinican's ethical behavior.

 

[ClinicalABA]

States will clearly spell out licensure requirements in their application materials. These materials can usually be found online (do search on the state website, or a general web search- you'll eventually get there). In many states, APA accreditation makes the process easier, but is not required. The APA Accreditation just means that the graduate program/internship adheres to a set of minimum standards which, in many cases, meet the requirements for licensure. In other words, documented proof (e.g. training or internship director's signature) of completion of an APA approved program is sufficient to sit for licensure. If you have not attended an APA accredited program, you will likely have to provide the licensure board further evidence that the program met these minimum standards (e.g. you might need to submit course sequences or syllabi; have supervisors sign off that your work/training met specific standards for minimum number of face:face hours, minimum supervision hours, etc). For example, my current state (Mass.) does not require APA accredited internships for licensure, but does require that non-approved internships meet minimum standards that are similar to what is required for APA accreditation (e.g.having a minimum of 2 interns; 4 hours per week of structured training activities) . Mass does require that your academic program be designated as a Doctoral Program in Psychology by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards. Your state (Florida) has the following educational requirements:

Education Requirements: A Psy.D., an Ed.D. in psychology, or a Ph.D. in psychology from: An educational institution which, at the time the applicant was enrolled and graduated, had institutional accreditation from an agency recognized and approved by the United States Department of Education or was recognized as a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; and a psychology program within that educational institution which, at the time the applicant was enrolled and graduated, had programmatic accreditation from an agency recognized and approved by the United States Department of Education. (Only graduates from American Psychological Association (APA) accredited programs meet this criteria.)
This is from the Florida Psych. Licensure Website :http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/psychology/psy_lic_req.html

Note the bolded (by me) parenthetical statement- seems that you might want to forger FL licensure if you go to a non-APA accredited program. You really should look at the requirements for every state you might ever consider yourself practicing in before you go down long road that might lead to nowhere.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I wish every state required the applicant to come from an APA-acred program. That single change would eliminate a large portion of the "Get your Ph.D. without leaving your house!" type programs.

 

[haner2]

In most states now, you don't necessarily have to come from an APA program/internship for licensure; HOWEVER, the burden of proof that your program meets standards of APA programs is typically really difficult. If you are coming from an APA site they just trust APA to ensure you are properly trained.

Most states do require a post-doc/residency year before licensure. The idea is to ensure people have enough hours of supervised clinical experience during internship and after getting the degree. I've only looked at the requirements from a few states, but they typically ask for at least 3000 hours from internship and post-doc before you can sit for the EPPP. I've heard that some states require more hours if you are not coming from an APA internship.

Overall, like everyone has been saying, you need to check with the state board where you plan to work. Also, Florida has very stringent requirements, almost as stringent as California, so getting to know the process early can help you prepare.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

After 3 years of study and almost $80,000, I discovered my state requires that you spend one year actually in residence at your Ph.D. program. I have a choice now of continuing with my program to earn a Ph.D. which won't allow me to practice in my state, to plan on moving, or to try to transfer to another school and repeat coursework.

They are trying to discredit distance learning programs, saying that students don't get an adequate integration into the profession this way. The problem is, they are painting all programs with the same brush, including those (like mine) structured with monthly intensive workshops --the statute says this doesn't count as "residence" even though the point of residence seems to be to build personal relationships with faculty and colleagues, which my program has done BETTER than I've experienced in my last graduate program.

My question is, has anyone else run into this problem? There seems to be a real disconnect between educational systems and real life: I'm sure I'm not the only person in this position. And if not, what can be done? If APA certifies a program, it seems that the residency requirement should be waived. Anyway, looking for people with similar experiences.

APA accreditation guidelines set forth by the COA also require one year in residence. If you graduate from an APA approved program, the licensure board would probably have to accept that you have been "in residence" for one year.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

APA accreditation guidelines set forth by the COA also require one year in residence. If you graduate from an APA approved program, the licensure board would probably have to accept that you have been "in residence" for one year.

Absolutely not.

The state licensing board has final say, as they are the governing body assigned to manage licensure. A program being APA-acred is one of a number of requirements that most states chose to adopt, though that does not asssume the state must accept all requirements of an APA-acred program to be sufficient to meet all of their state requirements. The board is given discretion to decide what is sufficient, and it often changes over the years.

For instance, CA requires additional classess (IIRC they are in Addictions and Diversity) before any applicant can be licensed in the state, except most APA-acred. programs outside of CA do not offer these classes. When it comes to state licensure....the applicant is pretty much at the mercy of the licensing board. Some people will challenge a licensure board in court, but they rarely win.

 

[Neuropsych2be]

I agree that boards have very wide discretion and boards are free to set their own requirements. However, for a state board to state that APA COA standards are insufficient would be unlikely. Hence my use of the term "probably." However, should a state board deny licensure to an applicant based on insufficient "residency" and said board has previously licensed applicants from the same program under the same requirement, they would be applying the standard in an inconsistent and prejudicial manner. The courts would be forced to rule in favour of the plaintiff and against the board. The board may have discretion, but every decision they make is subject to judicial review.

Absolutely not.

The state licensing board has final say, as they are the governing body assigned to manage licensure. A program being APA-acred is one of a number of requirements that most states chose to adopt, though that does not asssume the state must accept all requirements of an APA-acred program to be sufficient to meet all of their state requirements. The board is given discretion to decide what is sufficient, and it often changes over the years.

For instance, CA requires additional classess (IIRC they are in Addictions and Diversity) before any applicant can be licensed in the state, except most APA-acred. programs outside of CA do not offer these classes. When it comes to state licensure....the applicant is pretty much at the mercy of the licensing board. Some people will challenge a licensure board in court, but they rarely win.

 

[stigmata]

Here's what you do. Apply for licensure anyway, and provide all necessary documents etc... then wait to see what they do. Sure they could just say NO, but more realistically they will come back with some form of reparation...AKA hoops to jump through before they allow an exception to their rule. Boards are not the official authority as they are governed by the state AG, and you can always pursue an administrative law hearing.