Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A.
Purpose. The purpose of continuing professional education (CPE)
requirements for psychologists is to ensure that licensees update and advance
their skills such that the public shall benefit from the most current and
effective standards of professional practice. To further the goal of public
benefit, all psychologists are required to fulfill a portion of their CPE in
the areas of ethics and cultural diversity as related to the profession of
psychology.
B.
Required
hours. The board requires 40 hours of CPE for licensed psychologists and
psychologist associates during every two years. For conditional prescribing and
unrestricted prescribing psychologists the board requires 60 hours of CPE every
two years.
C.
Program
types. CPE credits are divided into two categories depending on the
design and approval process for the experience and on the monitoring of the
psychologist. Psychologists must obtain at least 15 of their 40 hours every two
years in category I, which is the most stringent in terms of presentation
standards and monitoring. Any additional hours to complete the 40 hour
requirement may be from category I or category II.
(1) Cultural Diversity: a minimum of two
hours every two years from either category must be in the area of cultural
diversity or health disparities as described in
16.22.9.9
NMAC.
(2) Equity and inclusion: a
minimum of four hours every two years from either category I or II must be on
the topic of race, ethnicity, systemic racism, structural inequality, poverty
or the intersection of variables that impact marginalized communities as
described in
16.22.9.9
NMAC.
(3) Ethics: a minimum of four
hours every two years from either category must be in the area of ethics as
described in
16.22.9.9
NMAC.
(4) Psychopharmacology or
psychopharmacotherapy: for conditional prescribing or unrestricted prescribing
psychologists, 40 hours every two years out of the 60 hour CPE requirement must
be in the area of psychopharmacology or psychopharmacotherapy.
D.
Criteria. The
board accepts the criteria of the national professional organizations listed in
16.22.9.9
NMAC in accrediting continuing education hours. The following criteria adapted
from Standards and Criteria for Approval of Sponsors of Continuing
Education for Psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2009)
shall apply to New Mexico accrediting organizations when approving continuing
education requests.
(1) Sponsors must be
prepared to demonstrate that information and programs presented are based on
methodical, theoretical, research, or practice knowledge base. This requirement
must be met by at least one of the following:
(a) Program content has obtained credibility,
as demonstrated by the involvement of the broader psychological practice,
education, and science communities in studying or applying the findings,
procedures, practices, or theoretical concepts.
(b) Program content has been supported using
established research procedures and scientific scrutiny.
(c) Program content has peer reviewed,
published support beyond those publications and other types of communications
devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.
(d) Program content is related to ethical,
legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that impact
psychology.
(2) Sponsors
must select instructors with expertise in the program content and who are
competent to teach this program content at a level that builds upon a completed
doctoral program in psychology.
(3)
Sponsors are required to ensure that instructors, during each CE presentation,
include statements that describe the accuracy and utility of the materials
presented, the basis of such statements, the limitations of the content being
taught and the severe and the most common risks.
(4) Sponsors must offer program content that
builds upon the foundation of a completed doctoral program in
psychology.
(5) Sponsors must be
prepared to demonstrate that content is relevant to psychological practice,
education, or science.
(6) Sponsors
must clearly describe any commercial support for the CE program, presentation.
Or instructor to program participants at the time the CE program begins. Any
other relationship that could be reasonably construed as a conflict of interest
also must be disclosed.
