Board Certification in Professional Psychology: Promoting Competency and Consumer Protection

Abstract

Board certification in psychology provides an opportunity for increased assessment of and demonstration of competence in the profession. In addition to serving as a means of consumer protection, it can serve the professional psychologist by providing the opportunity for increased income, professional satisfaction, facilitated mobility, and professional development. Jurisdictional and organizational recognition of the importance of board certification is increasing. This article uses the model and experience of the American Board of Professional Psychology, with particular attention to the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology and the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, to illustrate these benefits. Recent developments regarding board certification are described, as well as how to become involved in the process.

Specialization in Psychology and Health Care Reform

“…Such certification is a voluntary process that presumes that basic knowledge, skills, and to some extent attitudes, already have been recognized via statutory licensing. Board certification is consistent with the current competency-based zeitgeist, the increasing value placed on professionalism and lifelong learning, and the growing emphasis on consumer protection and quality care (Cox, 2010;Fouad et al, 2009;Kaslow, 2004;Kaslow et al, 2004;Rodolfa et al, 2005). Indeed, the public has become increasingly assertive in demanding accountability of health care professionals (Weiss, 2010).…”

“…Key benefits of board certification for the individual psychologists include ''brand name'' peer recognition, as well as public recognition and reduced confusion (Nezu, Finch, & Simon, 2009). Additional reasons include higher pay, better job satisfaction, a specific designation that is uncommon among other psychologists within job markets, enhanced job security and employability (Cox, 2010;Finch, Simon, & Nezu, 2006). Further, in addition to gaining knowledge in the process of preparing for board certification, practitioners who are board certified may experience a renewed focus on life-long learning and professional development, ultimately affirming their professional identity (Nezu et al, 2009;Rozensky & Kaslow, in press).…”

“…Board certified psychologists also benefit from more efficient credentialing processes among state licensing boards, insurance companies, professional practice networks, and medical staff (Dattilio, Sadoff, & Gutheil, 2003). Board certification also eases interjurisdictional license and practice mobility (Cox, 2010;Graham & Kim, 2011;Hall & Lunt, 2005;Nezu et al, 2009) and the attainment of board certification increasingly will count toward continuing professional development requirements across jurisdictions (Webb & Horn, in press). Consistent with the fact that ABPP is designed to support a competency-based approach to specialization and board certification (Kaslow & Ingram, 2009), board certification processes create specific standards that articulate competence (Belar, 2008;Boake, 2008;Cox, Hess, Hibbard, Layman, & Stewart, 2010;Dowd, Clen, & Arnold, 2010;Flanagan & Miller, 2010;France et al, 2008;Jackson, Alberts, & Roberts, 2010;Molinari, 2011;Packer, 2008;Tharinger, Pryzwansky, & Miller, 2008;Thomas, 2010), inform the development of uniform training models for competence (Boake, 2008;Packer, 2008), and certify intra-professional regulation within specialized areas.…”

The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (APA Division 40) 2015TCNProfessional Practice and ‘Salary Survey’: Professional Practices, Beliefs, and Incomes of U.S. Neuropsychologists

“…This seems especially noteworthy as the years of licensed practice in the present survey had a range of 45 years. By comparison, data compiled by the Research Office of the American Psychological Association (APA) demonstrates an older and steadily advancing mean membership age for the combined membership categories of associate, member, and fellow: year 2000 = mean age 52.2;2005 = 53.3;2010 = 54.3;= 56.2 (American Psychological Association, Center for Workforce Studies 2000, 2005, 2010. Even more demonstrative of the aging of APA's membership is the fact that in 2000 the percentage of those 60 and older was 20.1%, whereas in 2014 this percentage had more than doubled to 44.4%.…”

“…Cox, 2010). The present survey sample included the largest subsample of ABCN board-certified neuropsychologists conducted to date (n = 536).…”