Neuropsych Testing Licensure Requirements in CA?

[NorCal64]

I am finishing up my Masters in Clinical Counseling in CA? I am considering continuing my education to obtain a PsyD or PhD so that I can do Neuropsych testing, among other things.

Is it true that I need a Doctoral degree to do Neuropsych testing in CA? Is it a special license?

Thank you 🙂

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[WisNeuro]

What do the state statutes say about the definitions of neuropsychological assessment and who is qualified to do so?

 

[NorCal64]

What do the state statutes say about the definitions of neuropsychological assessment and who is qualified to do so?

That’s what I’m confused about. California says a doctoral degree is required but they have a new Psych Testing Technician role. Frequently Asked Questions - California Board of Psychology

 

[WisNeuro]

That’s what I’m confused about. California says a doctoral degree is required but they have a new Psych Testing Technician role. Frequently Asked Questions - California Board of Psychology

Administration and scoring of instruments pre-selected by a licensed psychologist is very different from choosing those appropriate tests and correctly interpreting them.

 

[NorCal64]

Administration and scoring of instruments pre-selected by a licensed psychologist is very different from choosing those appropriate tests and correctly interpreting them.

That’s true. So then back to my original question. I guess it sounds like I still need a PhD or PsyD?

 

[WisNeuro]

That’s true. So then back to my original question. I guess it sounds like I still need a PhD or PsyD?

Most likely.

 

[megamaramon]

That’s what I’m confused about. California says a doctoral degree is required but they have a new Psych Testing Technician role. Frequently Asked Questions - California Board of Psychology

A technician works for and is supervised by a neuropsychologist. The neuropsychologist tells the technician what tests to administer. The technician administers and scores the tests. The neuropsychologist then uses that data as part of their overall evaluation.

A technician helps with the data collection a neuropsychologist does during their evaluation. A technician is not an independent practitioner. They are directly supervised by a neuropsychologist.

You would be overqualified to be a technician with a Master's degree. In a technician role, you cannot overstep the boundaries and provide any therapy or diagnostic interviewing to the patient you are testing. You are simply administering a pre-selected test for the neuropsychologist.

You need a doctoral degree to be a neuropsychologist in the United States.

 

[WisNeuro]

A technician works for and is supervised by a neuropsychologist. The neuropsychologist tells the technician what tests to administer. The technician administers and scores the tests. The neuropsychologist then uses that data as part of their overall evaluation.

A technician helps with the data collection a neuropsychologist does during their evaluation. A technician is not an independent practitioner. They are directly supervised by a neuropsychologist.

You would be overqualified to be a technician with a Master's degree. In a technician role, you cannot overstep the boundaries and provide any therapy or diagnostic interviewing to the patient you are testing. You are simply administering a pre-selected test for the neuropsychologist.

You need a doctoral degree to be a neuropsychologist in the United States.

Some states require the master's to be a psychometrician.

 

[megamaramon]

Some states require the master's to be a psychometrician.

Ah, thanks for letting me know. I'm going mostly by what I know in Arkansas and the surrounding states. Looks like CA also requires a minimum of a bachelor's to apply for the technician position.

 

[ClinicalABA]

Even if there are not state level requirements for who can do testing, there are often state or industry requirements for paying for and using the results of the testing to provide therapeutic or educational services. For example, to pay for autism services, and insurance company may require that the testing be at least overseen and "signed off by" a licensed psychologist or pediatrician. As a result, there is likely a de facto requirement that a doctoral level, licensed psychologist play a major role in the evaluations. I am not aware of states that have or require a specialty "neuropsychology" license, but licensure regs (and, even more importantly, malpractice insurance policies) will typically say that you can only practice within your scope of training and experience. This will only be reviewed or scrutinized if you are accused of doing something wrong.