Position Statements

In keeping with the role of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) as an international thought leader on the professional practice of psychology and consumer protection, the ASPPB Board of Directors has approved the following position statements.

Competencies Expected of Psychologists at the Point of Licensure (June 2014)

ASPPB adopts the position of the ASPPB Competencies Expected of Psychologists at the Point of Licensure Model  developed by the ASPPB Competency Assessment Task Force.

Maintenance of Competence for Licensure (MOCL) (June 2014)

• ASPPB adopts the position that psychology regulatory bodies have a responsibility to the public to ensure the ongoing competence and high standards of practice for psychologists seeking licensure renewal.
• To do so, regulatory bodies should establish mechanisms for licensed psychologists to demonstrate that they have maintained the competencies needed so that they might continue to practice safely and meet the high standards required of psychologists.

Accreditation (August 2013)

The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) endorses the position that graduation from an APA/CPA-accredited program should be a minimum requirement for doctoral level licensure of health-service providers.

Applied Behavior Analysis (June 2013)

• ASPPB adopts the position that applied behavior analysis (ABA) services must be state, provincially, or territorially regulated to ensure consumer protection. 
• ASPPB adopts the position that applied behavior analysis services should be regulated under the psychology boards with a defined scope of practice and title separate from that of psychologists.
• ASPPB encourages member jurisdictions in which the psychology board does not regulate applied behavior analysis to consider the following:
  • Ensure that exemptions for psychologists exist in the regulatory language for applied behavior analysis.
  • Monitor legislation regarding applied behavior analysis on an on-going basis.
  • Where appropriate, take an active role regarding proposed legislation that may be problematic for the practice of applied behavior analysis by licensed psychologists.

Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Accreditation

It is the position of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) that in the event a regulatory body holds the accreditation status of an applicant’s training as a requirement for licensure or, in the event that the body permits a faster track credential review for applicants with accredited training, the definition of accredited training will include training accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). In the event that legislation in a particular jurisdiction does not permit the equivalent treatment of CPA and U.S.-based accreditation, then it is the position of the ASPPB that no jurisdiction should preclude an applicant from applying for licensure solely because the program from which he or she graduated was accredited by the CPA and not a U.S.-based accreditor.