FASP President

President

Mark Neely

Email: Mneely@cfl.rr.com

Click here to view FASP's response to APA's revisions of the MLA.

On March 6th, the APA released some revisions to their rules. Within the revisions as the notice to remove the exemption that allows specialist level school psychologists to use the title school psychologist. It is as follows:

J. Exemptions

The exemptions for individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology who do not practice or provide services were further clarified. Those individuals may use the title "psychologist" in conjunction with activities such as the teaching of psychology or the conduct of psychological research provided that those activities do not involve the provision or supervision of direct psychological services. Additionally, individuals with a doctoral degree who are credentialed by state education agencies to practice in public schools may also use the title "psychologist" in those practice settings. A section regarding grandparenting of psychologists already practicing but formerly exempted or excluded from licensure was added.

Specific information regarding the "school psychology exemption"

Presently, individuals who provide school psychology services in public schools are credentialed by state education agencies. These individuals are not required to have a doctoral degree to provide school psychology services and typically, the state education agency grants these individuals the use of the title "school psychologist" for use while providing services in public schools. The proposed alteration in this draft revision would allow licensed psychologists as well as only those individuals with a doctoral degree in psychology who are credentialed to practice in public schools to use the title in those settings (regardless of their psychology licensure status). Individuals who do not hold a doctoral degree in psychology would not be permitted to use the title under this change but the state education agency could still credential such individuals (albeit with a different title) and the individuals could still provide services in public school settings.

The APA feels that only doctoral level school psychologists can call themselves school psychologists. The original exemption was accepted in 1977 and upheld in a subsequent review in 1987. APA is trying to couch this as merely a need to change a title. However, this may have more consequences. The APA also has a definition of the practice of psychology.

Lines 101-106: 3. Practice of psychology is defined as the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purposes of (a) preventing [or eliminating], eliminating, evaluating or assessing symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior; [and] (b) evaluating or assessing and/or enhancing individual, group and/or organizational effectiveness including personal effectiveness, interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, health, and individual, group and/or organizational performance, or (c) assisting in legal decision-making.

Does this sound like what you do on a day-to-day basis? By removing this exemption, it would essentially prohibit specialist level school psychologists from performing these activities. The only allowance would be for doctoral level school psychologists. Approximately 75% of the school psychologists working in the schools are at the specialist level. The removal of this exemption is unacceptable and may be a restriction of trade!

The APA has released this revision for a public comment period of 90 days (ending June 5th). Sending your response is easy. Simply click on the following site http://forms.apa.org/practice/modelactlicensure/ and follow the brief instructions. It is important that you fill out the APA form correctly or your response will not be counted.

I am strongly encouraging all to send in a letter to oppose the removal of this exemption. You can use the NASP letter as a sample (click here), however, please make the letter personable as to not make it seem like a form letter. Last year approximately 10,000 letters were sent to the APA using a form type of letter and they (APA) only counted them as 1 letter. Also, help me by identifying key people that you may know that could be helpful (e.g., administrators, SEA officials, school board members, legislators, parents, teachers, etc.) and ask them to comment as well. We face a significant battle ahead, and we must start now.

As President Elect for FASP, I am coordinating efforts across the state to voice opposition to the removal of this exemption. I will keep you updated as to my progress.

Mark I. Neely, Ed.S.
FASP President Elect