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Preparing for the ABPP Board Certification Examination in Clinical Overview of Three Parts • Part 1: Background, Policies, and Procedures - Everything You Wanted to Know but Didn’t Stringer Know Who to Ask • Part 2: Oral Examination – Practice Sample Part I: Policies and Procedures and Ethics (Dr. Rod Vanderploeg and Dr. Julie Bobholz) Anthony Y. Stringer, Ph.D., ABPP/ABCN • Part 3: Oral Examination - Fact Finding (Dr. Former President, American Board of Bobholz and Dr. Vanderploeg)

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Overview of Today: Policies and Procedures How do I make a talk on policies and procedures interesting? Part 1.1: Purpose and Benefits of Board Certification Part 1.2: History and Organizational Structure of ABPP, ABCN and AACN [BREAK] 1 2 3 Part 1.3: Overview of Examination Phases and Outcome Data • Credential Review • Written Examination • Practice Sample • Oral Examination A Peek • Maintenance of Certification Behind Myth Tips for • Pediatric Subspecialization the Busting Success Part 1.4: Resources Curtain

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My Qualifications My Disclosures

• I am board certified • Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation • Was a credential reviewer for 4 years, 2 as Chair of the Credential Review Committee Medicine, Emory University • Have been on several Written Examination Item Writing Committees • Direct the Emory Division of Rehabilitation • Have been a Practice Sample Reviewer Neuropsychology • Have Chaired the ABCN Ethics and Diversity Committees which write the vignettes for the Ethics Portion of Oral Exam • Research is funded by the Woodruff • Have been an Examiner for all parts of the Oral Exam Foundation, the Warrior Care Network, the • Served a term as President of ABCN Veterans Administration, the National • Have had more than 20 former externs, interns, and postdocs successfully earn board certification Institutes of Health, and the National Academy of Neuropsychology

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My Partisanship

• I believe in board certification by Part 1.1: ABPP/ABCN Purpose and Benefits of Board Certification • I assume people come to this workshop because they share this belief • I’m here to encourage, promote, and help

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Purpose of the Examination B C E E F R 1) Assess [entry level] competence in the practice of T clinical neuropsychology O R I 2) Measure of fund of knowledge E F 3) Determine effectiveness in applying knowledge in I the clinical setting C 4) Promote the welfare of the patient A 5) Provide a standard by which competence is judged. T I O Bieliauskas & Matthews, 1987 Certification by peer examination is the standard N method of assuring professional competence.

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Top 10 Reasons to Pursue Board Certification (Armstrong, Beebe, Hilsabeck, & Kirkwood , 2014; Sweet, Nelson, & Moberg, 2006). Top 10 Reasons to Pursue Board Certification (Continued)

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2 Greater Job Satisfaction 7 Sets Clear Public Standard* 3 8 4 9

5 License/Practice Mobility* 10 Personal Validation/Modeling

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~ Pay differential in the armed services

~ Step pay differential in the VA Myth #1 Board certification won’t make any difference in my career.

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• APA Accreditation Handbook: • APPCN Guidelines for Postdoctoral Training in Clinical Neuropsychology: administratively responsible for the training A postdoctoral training program in clinical neuropsychology should program....should be professional role models for faculty, staff, be directed by a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. and students, as demonstrated … by recognition or distinction within professional associations… or possession of an ABPP • diploma in the appropriate specialty field....It is desirable that The National Conference on Postdoctoral Training in other professional psychology staff members be comparably Professional Psychology: qualified. [The] director has expertise in an area of postdoctoral training offered, and has credentials of excellence such as the American Board of Professional Psychology diploma...

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The Houston Conference: APPCN:

Specifies that education for specialty practice should “Attainment of the ABCN/ABPP Diploma in Clinical continue through residency training, exit criteria for which Neuropsychology is the clearest evidence of include: “ Eligibility for board certification in clinical competence as a Clinical Neuropsychologist…” neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.”

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Sets Clear Public Standard License/Practice Mobility Neuropsychology Medicine

• Generic psychology licensure • Generic medical licensure is is not the endpoint not the endpoint •Specialization occurs post- • Specialization occurs post- Ph.D./Psy.D. degree MD /DO degree • Board certification is a • Board certification is a voluntary addition designating voluntary addition ~ Reciprocity of license in most states higher level of training designating higher level of • Specialty training is training ~ Must achieve state passing score on EPPP or nationally standardized and • Specialty training is regulated by the profession nationally standardized an qualify for waiver by having ABPP regulated by the profession To be treated as equals, we must set a comparable public standard

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Sets Clear Public Standard

Legitimacy in Psychology Legitimacy in Medical Specialty Certification Specialty Certification

• Problem with unknown • Over 100 medical specialty number of “vanity” boards boards •Addressed through a formal • Addressed through a formal oversight board: American oversight board: American Board of Professional Board of Medical Specialties Psychology (ABPP) established (ABMS) in 1947 •Only 22 specialty boards are Myth #2 •Only 15 specialty boards are recognized by ABMS as recognized by ABPP as meeting meeting its standard for its standard for professional professional certification in Nobody cares about ABCN/ABPP certification in psychology medical specialties and very few people have the specialties •ABCN is the specialty board To be treated as diploma. recognized by ABPP equals, we must set a comparable public standard

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Reality Reality: Broad Geographic Distribution

• Board Certified Neuropsychologists are in 48 NAN Membership States and the District of Columbia 3300 • Board Certified Neuropsychologists are in 4 Equivalent to 42% of NAN Membership Canadian Provinces Equivalent to 35% of SCN Membership (but SCN members are not all neuropsychologists)

SCN/Div 40 Membership 4000 As of June 2020, there are 1397 board certified clinical neuropsychologists 23 24

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Number of Board Certified Neuropsychologists by State/District South Dakota, Wyoming 0 AL, AK, AR, DE, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, ND, OK, RI, SC, VT, WV 1-10 GA, HI, IN, MO, TN, UT, VA, 11-20 OR, District of Columbia Myth #3 AZ, CO, CT, NC, PA, WA, WI 21-30 Board certification is only for MD, MI, OH 31-40 academics. MN 41-50 California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Texas > 50

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Origins of Myth Reality

• Myth may originate from APA/APPCN • Certification is actually in CLINICAL Neuropsychology • Examination assesses knowledge as it pertains to requirements that fellowship Training clinical practice Directors be board certified. • Only true clinical activities done as part of research • Training program faculty also are encouraged count towards fellowship requirement • Majority of board certified neuropsychologists are in to obtain board certification. clinical settings having no academic affiliation • Academics may have institutional support for (Bieliauskas) • Board certification does not incur any particular involvement with ABCN. However… advantage to those in tenure-track, full-time, academic career paths

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Reality

• The problem goes beyond just board certification • Neuropsychology as a profession has a Myth #4 diversity problem

Board certification is elitist, part of an “old boys” network.

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Meet a Board Certified Neuropsychologist Results from survey completed by 423 Board Certified Neuropsychologists in 2015 during Annual Renewal

60 90 80 CDR Aditya A. Bhagwat, Ph.D., ABPP/ABCN, is a board certified 50 70 60 clinical neuropsychologist currently serving as Program Manager 40 50 for the Primary Care Behavioral Health program in the Office Male 40 White 30 30 of the US Army Surgeon General. Female Percent 20 Minority Percent 20 10 0 10 Trans Race/Ethnicity 0

4.5 Dr. Desiree Byrd, ABPP/ABCN is on the faculty in the Departments Gender 4 LatinX 3.5 of Neurology and Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine 3 and practices at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. 2.5 Asian 2 1.5 Percent 1 African 0.5 0 American Minority Status Multiracial

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Meet a Board Certified Neuropsychologist Meet a Board Certified Neuropsychologist https://legacy.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3493 https://legacy.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3493

Dr. Anita Sim, ABPP/ABCN writes: “Like many full time clinicians, I do Dr. Samantha Glass, ABPP/ABCN writes: “I am Hispanic, raised with not always have the luxury to just quietly sit and read the newest both heavy Mexican and Cuban influences. My ethnic background is not neuropsychology book …. Many people genuinely want to see you immediately obvious because I have albinism. I am [also] legally blind.” succeed as we recognize that the field of neuropsychology is only strengthened by increased diversity. ”

Dr. Brenda Spiegler, ABPP/ABCN former Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the University of Toronto School of Dr. Laura Renteria, ABPP/ABCN was born in central California to Medicine, and former Director of Psychology at the Hospital for Sick immigrant farm laborers who had limited educational and economic Children. She writes: “I passed the oral exam on my SECOND try!” opportunities. She was very motivated to escape the backbreaking And of course, Dr. Spiegler went on to become an oral examiner work endured by her parents and grandparents. herself and President of ABCN.

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Still a long way to go…

Part 1.2: History and Organization The Past Predominantly white and male, much like the profession as a whole The Future A diverse network of clinical professionals ready to serve a demographically evolving world

but we’ve come a long way already!

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ABPP Member Boards American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) American Board of: Approved: • Clinical Psychology 1947 • APA established ABPP in 1947 with a $2000 loan • Counseling Psychology 1947 • Recognized the need to separate advocacy for the profession of • Organizational, Business, Consulting Psych 1947 psychology from professional credentialing • School Psychology 1968 • Since 1947, ABPP has grown to include 15 member boards in • Clinical Neuropsychology 1983 recognized areas of specialty practice • Forensic Psychology 1984 • ABCN is the member board for the specialty of neuropsychology • Couple and Family Psychology 1990 • Clinical Health Psychology 1991 • ABPP does not establish multiple boards for the same specialty • Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology 1992 • Rehabilitation Psychology 1995 • Psychoanalysis 1996 • Group Psychology 1999 • Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 2003 • Police and Public Safety Psychology 2011 • Geropsychology 2013

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Reality

• ABCN Certification = Demonstrated Competence

• ABCN Certification ≠ Exclusivity

Myth #5 Neuropsychological examinations • Lack of ABCN Certification ≠ Incompetence can only be done by board certified neuropsychologists

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ABCN Position Within ABPP What does ABPP do?

• Protects the public through psychology specialty certification and • Not the largest board maintenance of certification (MOC) • But, the fastest growing board within ABPP • Conducts initial and periodic reviews required of specialty boards to establish and maintain their affiliation with ABPP • One of only two boards with a written exam • Sets minimum criteria for specialty certification that are shared by all 15 boards • The only board that regularly revises/updates • Manages the application process and oversees credentialing for all its examination boards • Awards certificates in a ceremony at the APA Convention • The only board with a subspecialty (attendance not required) • Provides education and consulting on professional ethics • Known within ABPP both as a standard-setter • Recognizes early career achievements and service to the profession and innovator through various awards

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How is ABPP organized? ABPP Central Office

• Has an all-volunteer Board of Trustees comprised • Located in Chapel Hill, NC of: – 1 representative from each of the 15 member • Staffed by: boards – Executive Director – one early career – Assistant Executive Director – a representative of the Council of Presidents of Psychology Specialty Academies –Information Systems and Account Manager – one representative of the general public – Admin Assistant – Editor of the ABPP Specialist (ex-officio) • Central Office handles day-to-day operations

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Original ABCN Board, 1983

Arthur Benton Charles Matthews, Sec. Linas Bieliauskas Steven Mattis, V. Pres. Thomas Boll Manfred Meier, President Nelson Butters Allan Mirsky Myth #6 Louis Costa Oscar Parsons Leonard Diller Homer Reed In the old days, you could be Charles Golden (1984) Byron Rourke grandfathered in----but not Gerald Goldstein Paul Satz anymore. Aaron Smith Edith Kaplan Otfried Spreen , Treasurer Barbara Wilson Joseph Matarazzo

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Reality What does ABCN do?

• Initial candidate ABCN Board members were • We examine applicants for board certification in identified based on their having attained national clinical neuropsychology prominence in field of neuropsychology, but… • We award certificates in clinical neuropsychology and • Initial Board members examined each other and had its subspecialties and maintain a registry of awardees to pass that exam in order to be awarded • We evaluate compliance with MOC requirements certification • Can revoke certificates with cause • Neuropsychology board certification has no (misrepresentation, criminal conviction, ethical grandfathers (nor grandmothers) violation)

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Reality

• ABCN became a membership organization in 1988, and its Bylaws were changed to allow it to collect dues • ABCN is not currently a membership organization • In 1996, acting on legal counsel, ABPP required each specialty board to develop an independent academy to Myth #7 conduct advocacy and membership activities • Inherent conflict of interest between the conduct of professional examinations to protect the public and ABCN has a membership. advocacy on behalf of the profession • Hence, ABCN is no longer a membership organization • All we are is an examining and credentialing body

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How is ABCN organized? ABCN Volunteer Committees and Cadres

• Has an all-volunteer, elected (by active certificate holders) Board of • Executive Committee (Officers of the Board) Directors, each serving a 5-year term (2-term maximum), comprised • Credentials Committee (conducts credentials review of applicants) of: • Examination Committee – Specialty and Subspecialty Written Exam Development – 15 ABCN-Certified Clinical Neuropsychologists Subcommittees – Specialists reflecting interests of both adult and pediatric – Specialty and Subspecialty Practice Samples Review neuropsychology Subcommittees – At least 1 early-career (within 10 years of doctorate) – Oral Exam Fact-Finding Development Subcommittee neuropsychologist – Oral Exam Ethics Development Subcommittee – At least 1 neuropsychologist with a certificate in the pediatric • subspecialty (appointed) Nominations Committee (nominates candidates for Board election) • Subspecialty Committee • • Volunteer committees and cadres, and an Executive Director carry MOC Committee out day-to-day activities • Practice Sample Review and Oral Examiner Cadres

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Officers and Appointees 2021 American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology

• AACN- incorporated in 1996 as our membership • President Kathleen Fuchs organization as required by ABPP • Vice President Douglas Bodin • Advocates for and supports maintenance of • Secretary Laura Renteria professional standards through ABCN certification • Treasurer Beth Rush • Provides continuing education for members and non- • ABPP Representative Laura Flashman members to prepare professionals for board • Executive Director Bernice Marcopulos certification and to maintain proficiency • Exam Committee Co-Chairs John Lucas • Pediatric Subspecialty Chair Ida Sue Baron

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Additional AACN Activities ABCN and AACN Milestones

Year Milestone • Two Official Journals: The Clinical Neuropsychologist (TCN) and 1981 - Div 40/INS Task Force identifies need for board certification Child Neuropsychology - ABCN incorporated in Minnesota in response to this need • Establishes Task Forces on Professional Issues 1983 - First ABCN Examinations • Develops Position Papers on Professional Issues - ABCN affiliates with ABPP 1984 - First ABPP/ABCN Diplomates awarded • Mentoring Program for Certification Candidates 1993 - Written Examination instituted (paper format, administered at • Maintains Member and Community Listserves national conferences) • Maintains a Directory of Board Certified Neuropsychologists 1996 - AACN established • In collaboration with NAN and SCN/Div 40, conducts the periodic 1999 - First AACN Position Paper published “TCN Professional Practice and ‘Salary Survey’” [Sweet, Benson, 2002 - ABCN affirms Houston Conference (HC) guidelines Nelson & Moberg. 2015, The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29( 8), - Written Exam updated to reflect HC guidelines 1069–1162] 2003 - First Annual AACN Meeting - The Clinical Neuropsychologist becomes official journal of AACN 2004 - 500th ABCN Diplomate Certificate awarded (took 23 years to achieve)

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ABCN and AACN Milestones (continued) Year Milestone 2007 - AACN partners with Oxford University Press to produce book series - Be Ready for ABPP in Neuropsychology () becomes AACN Committee 2008 - ABCN initiates “fast track” for applicants from APPCN or APA accredited Neuropsychology Fellowships - AACN partners with Psychology Press to produce book series 2009 - AACN Foundation established 2010 - ABCN endorses Maintenance of Certification Myth #8 2011 - Child Neuropsychology becomes official journal of Pediatric Special Interest Group There are comparable neuropsychology 2012 - First AACN Position Paper published boards that are at war. - ABCN begins accepting online Practice Sample submissions through ScholarOne portal - Written Exam transitions to computer administration at continent- wide testing centers 2013 - ABPP approves ABCN’s creation of first subspecialty 2014 - 1000th ABCN Diplomate Certificate awarded (took only 10 years)

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ABN ABN • American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABN) founded in 1982, period of inactivity and reassessment of • Periodic friction seems to arise from it not being need 1986-1990, reestablished in 1991. treated comparably to ABCN by APA, APA-affiliated – American College of Professional Neuropsychology (ACPN) has 2 official journals (Applied Neuropsychology (AN) – organizations, licensing boards, etc. Adult and AN-Child but holds no meetings – The Academy of the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (AABN) focuses on postdoctoral training (9 programs, 6 of which are private practice offices) – Three organizations are not independent – Membership is in the low hundreds • Though it incorporated only a year later, ABN hasn’t grown as rapidly as ABCN

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ABPdN Why are there alternative boards?

• American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology • ABCN follows Houston Conference Guidelines for (ABPdN) founded in 1996 neuropsychology training (with some modification) • AAPdN conducts an annual conference and has an – ABN may accept more variation in training official journal (Journal of Pediatric Neuropsychology) • ABCN provides subspecialty certification in pediatric neuropsychology, only after general certification in • Has an associated student organization clinical neuropsycology • Number of certificates issued is not published – ABPdN approaches pediatric certification as a standalone credential – Began offering this credential before the ABCN pediatric subspecialty became available

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Reality: ABCN is not at war with any Reality: ABCN is not at war with any Board Board • ABCN is much larger and is much more integrated into existing organizational and legislative infrastructure • As the larger of the three boards, ABCN is secure in • ABN or ABPdN are in no respect an impediment to ABCN’s continued growth and success its mission and role – Neither are eligible to be a part of ABPP • No plans for merger – Neither offer a credential recognized by licensing boards as • Open to peaceful co-existence sufficient for waiving of state licensure requirements • No reason for ABCN to consider a merger or incorporation • ABCN is in support of ABN’s membership in the Neuropsychology Specialty Council and other inter- organizational agencies (ABPdN not currently participating)

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The Houston Conference Houston Conference Professional Definition

• September 3-7, 1997, a year after APA recognized Neuropsychology • A clinical neuropsychologist is a professional psychologist trained in as a specialty the science of brain-behavior relationships. The clinical • Need to establish a model of training neuropsychologist specializes in the application of assessment and • A profession without a model is not a profession intervention principles based on the scientific study of human • Had to apply to attend behavior across the lifespan as it relates to normal and abnormal • Applications taken from all clinical neuropsychology constituencies functioning of the central nervous system. – 40 delegates – 6 planning committee members – 3-4 observers • Policies developed and adopted by consensus • Policies subsequently endorsed by all major neuropsychology organizations

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Houston Conference Boundary Definition Houston Conference Training Guidelines

• Who should have neuropsychology specialty training? • Training should encompass: – Persons who engage in specialty practice or supervise specialty – Graduate Education practice. – Persons who call themselves “Clinical Neuropsychologists” or – Internship otherwise designate themselves as engaging in specialty – Postdoctoral Fellowship (2 year, accredited) practice. • Required knowledge and skills can be obtained at – Psychologists who engage in educating or supervising trainees in specialty practice. any of these levels of training and this may vary from person to person • However, knowledge and skills cannot be established through continuing education alone

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Houston Conference Training Guidelines Expected Fellowship Graduation Criteria • Advanced skill in neuropsychological evaluation, • Training should be in multiple domains: treatment and consultation sufficient for – Psychology independent practice – Clinical Psychology • Advanced understanding of brain-behavior relationships – Brain-behavior Relationships • Some scholarly activity: – Clinical Neuropsychology – Publication • Skills – Presentation – Assessment – Submission of a grant proposal – Treatment and Intervention • A formal evaluation of competency at the end of fellowship – Consultation • Eligibility for state or provincial licensure or – Determination/Clarification of referral issues certification – Research • Eligibility for board certification in clinical – Teaching and supervision neuropsychology

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ABCN Modifications to Houston Conference ABCN Modifications to Houston Conference Guidelines Guidelines

• HC Guidelines applied to persons earning doctorate (or • Fellowship faculty do not have to be board certified completing re-specialization after 2005 • On case-by-care basis, ABCN will consider minor deviations neuropsychologists (as required by HC Guidelines) from the fellowship requirements due to: • Faculty should have demonstrable training and – Medical Factors experience comparable to a board certified – Professional Issues – Personal Concerns neuropsychologist • Candidate must provide written documentation from the • Candidate may be asked to provide a curriculum fellowship director that they: vitae for their primary neuropsychology supervisors – Left fellowship in good standing – Obtained all the knowledge and skills required by the HC as part of their certification application Guidelines – Met all requirements for graduation from the fellowship

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ABCN Modifications for Canadian Applicants ABCN Modifications for Canadian Applicants • Fellowship/Residency modifications allowed: • Canadian applicants must meet the same: – May substitute 2 years of post-doctoral practice supervised by a – Doctoral and internship training requirements clinical neuropsychologist – Supervised practice should allow for access to: – Knowledge and skill requirements • Patient Rounds • Didactics (e.g., seminars, conferences, imaging training) • Interactions with other residents and professions (encouraged) – Supervised practice should provide: • Experience with a broad range of medical/neurological conditions • Training in the provision of a variety of clinical neuropsychology services (assessment, history taking, interview, feedback, report- writing, consultation, program planning, and intervention). – The exit criteria must be the same as for a formal fellowship

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Ask Early and Wisely! Some Additional Questions to Not Ask

• Contact the Chair of Credential Review with your • Is it a problem that I didn’t do a fellowship in questions about any special circumstances before neuropsychology? they happen (if at all possible) – Yes, this is a problem. • Don’t rely on what others say, no matter how • But what if my fellowship in Cosmetology allowed knowledgeable they are me to do a lot of neuropsychological testing. • Don’t rely on advice solicited over a Listserve – Still a problem. • Don’t ask what amounts to: “Do I really have to be • Is it a problem if I left fellowship after 1 year? trained in neuropsychology in order to be board – Yes, this is a problem. certified in neuropsychology?” • But what if I left for a really good paying job? • The answer to this will always be: “Yes!” – Still a problem.

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It isn’t that we don’t care, but…

• If something catastrophic happened during graduate school that interrupted your progress to earning your doctorate, you wouldn’t expect your program to just give you a Ph.D. out of sympathy. • No matter how awful the catastrophe, or compelling the circumstances, you would still expect to have to return and complete your degree requirements. • Apply the same logic to postdoctoral training-----it isn’t an optional requirement to earning board certification. • Expect reasonable flexibility and accommodation from ABCN, but not a blanket waiver of a requirement.

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Part 1.3: Overview of Exam and Outcome Data

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ABCN Board Certification Exam Has Two Phases

• Phase 1: Evaluate • Phase 2: Evaluate Training and Knowledge Clinical Competence – Step 1: Credential – Step 1: Practice Sample Review Review – Step 2: Written Exam – Step 2: Oral Exam Myth #9 Board Certification in Neuropsychology is too expensive.

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Phase 1 Step 1: Credential Review Reality – • Apply to ABPP (via website) • ABPP reviews application to see if applicant meets the general criteria that apply across all 2018 Total Cost: $1515 boards: – Doctoral degree is from a program in professional psychology – Degree from program accredited (at time degree granted) by any of the following: Application $125/$25 • APA Written Exam $300 • CPA Testing Center $290 • An accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (2018 and later) Practice Sample $250 • Listed in the publication: Doctoral Psychology Programs Meeting Designation Oral Exam $550 Criteria – Applicants may also meet doctoral requirement if credentialed by any of the following: • The [US] National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology Fees cover the cost of developing and administering • The Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology the exam as we are a volunteer operation • Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (i.e., hold a Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology – Doctoral program must meet requirements in the ABPP Generic Doctoral Program Eligibility Requirements. – Must be licensed as a psychologist for independent practice at the doctoral level in a jurisdiction in the U.S., its territories, or Canada

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Exceptions to ABPP Criteria ABPP Credential Review Decision

• ABPP Central Office has authority to grant exceptions • If approved by ABPP Central Office, application is to general criteria forwarded to the specialty board for review • If not approved by ABPP Central Office: • Limited exceptions exist for: – – Persons earning doctoral degrees prior to 1983 Applicant is notified – Degrees granted outside the U.S. or Canada – Given recommendations for improving application – Persons completing retraining programs – Must demonstrate application has been improved – Persons able to demonstrate their program had in order to reapply equivalent accreditation • Reapplication requires a new application fee – Licensure in jurisdiction of practice for some Federal employees – Exception criteria and procedures are available from Central Office.

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Reality

• Internship is a requirement for earning a doctoral degree in professional psychology graduate programs • ABPP (and not ABCN) defines the requirements for internship Myth #10 • Those requirements are generic and apply across boards You can’t become board certified if you didn’t do a neuropsychology internship. • ABCN does not have any requirement that the internship be in neuropsychology

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Reality

• The early entry option allows you to apply while still in training (before licensure or provisional licensure) and only costs $25 – Apply during internship or fellowship Myth #11 • ABPP holds application until you submit transcripts, proof of internship, proof of fellowship, licensure, I must wait until I have completed etc. fellowship and am licensed to apply for • Once complete, the review begins and you will have board certification. saved $100 Apply early!

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ABCN Specific Credential Review Criteria ABCN Specific Credential Review Criteria

• All applicants must document didactic experiences across 8 core • These didactics may be obtained any time during training knowledge areas • Graduate coursework – Basic neurosciences • Professional seminars – Functional • Brain dissection/pathology rounds – Neuropathology • Other clinical specialty rounds – Clinical neurology • Case conferences – Psychological assessment • Completion of an APA-accredited or APPCN Member Fellowship in – Clinical neuropsychological assessment Neuropsychology is sufficient documentation – Psychopathology • Otherwise, the applicant is expected to list the experiences that – Psychological intervention satisfy the didactic requirements

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ABCN Specific Credential Review Criteria ABCN Specific Credential Review Criteria Experiential Requirement Based on Date Degree Earned Degree Earned or Respecialization Completed: or Respecialization Completed:

1990 to 2004 After 1/1/2005 1981 to 1989 Prior to 1981 - Didactic and - Training conforms to Houston Conference Guidelines - 1600 hours of experiential - Two-year fellowship/residency in clinical neuropsychology (or half-time - 4800 hours of neuropsychology training in equivalent completed within 4 years) postdoctoral experience neuropsych - Postdoctoral program must include structured and sequenced clinical and neuropsychology - Supervised by - 2 year minimum didactic experiences experience (2400 clinical - Supervision must be onsite for all cases in direct clinical - At least 1 of the neuropsych at - Fellowship must put needs of fellow ahead of operational needs of service) pre or postdoc years is postdoc program level - Training at an accredited - Supervisors must be neuropsychologists (board certification not required, but university CV may be requested) - Onsite - APA accreditation as a neuropsychology fellowship or APPCN membership is supervision for all not required, but will allow applicants to indicate they meet certain clinical cases requirements without further proof - Neuropsychology internship is not required - APA-accredited internship preferred, but defer to ABPP Central Office

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Reality

• ABCN doesn’t police fellowships • Advantage of doing an APA accredited or APPCN member fellowship • Gives you somewhere to complain if fellowship isn’t Myth #12 keeping their promises

ABCN will come down on my fellowship • ABCN has no power over fellowships if they don’t give me the training they • All we do is conduct the board certification exam advertised.

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Disclaimer • Only the Credential Review Committee can make decisions about whether you meet specialty criteria. • Only the Credential Review Committee can grant exceptions, and they do so on a case-by-case basis. • If they contradict me in your case, then they are right Myth #13 and I AM WRONG! • Direct questions about your situation to the I can leave fellowship early as long as I Committee Chair. meet the ABCN requirement for total hours. • Chair is always the ABCN Vice President.

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Reality But if you do need to leave fellowship early… Early Departure Suggested Actions 1-9 Months - Letter from fellowship director attesting that applicant left • ABCN doesn’t have a requirement for total hours. the program in good standing, met progress criteria up to the point of departure, and type and duration of incomplete • 2005 on, the requirement is for a 2-year fellowship requirements (e.g., specific didactics, case supervision) - Detailed documentation that all outstanding requirements (or half-time equivalent completed in 4 years). were met following departure from the postdoctoral training • This cannot be stretched to quarter time completed program. in 8 years. > 9 Months - All of the above - Resume training in a job setting where a formal postdoctoral • It is no use arguing that because you worked 60 fellowship in neuropsychology exists - Letter from job supervisor attesting that all outstanding hours a week and full time is only 40 hours a week, requirements were met in the context of their postdoctoral that you can leave fellowship early and still meet the training program - Caseload c