N.M. Admin. Code § 16.22.2.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 21, November 5, 2024

Section 16.22.2.15 - ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

A.Confidential information. The psychologist shall treat the results of a psychological assessment as confidential information subject to the same rules and regulations as other patient information.

B.Use of assessment in general and with special populations. Psychologists who administer, score, interpret, or use assessment techniques shall be familiar with reliability, validity, standardization, comparative, and outcome studies of the techniques they use and with the proper application and use of those techniques.

(1) The psychologist shall recognize limits of the confidence with which diagnoses, judgments, or predictions can be made about individuals.

(2) The psychologist shall identify situations in which particular assessment techniques or norms may not be applicable or may require adjustment in administration or interpretation because of factors such as an individual's gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status.

C.Communication of results. The psychologist shall communicate results of the assessment to the client or patient, parents, legal guardians, or other agents of the client or patient in as clear and understandable a manner as reasonably possible and with respect for the client or patient.

D.Reservations concerning results. The psychologist shall include in the assessment report the results of any limitations of the assessment procedures as may apply to the reliability or validity of the assessment techniques or the interpretation of results.

(1) Issues of individual differences, such as language, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic, religion, disability, and lifestyle differences, should be carefully considered and addressed whenever relevant.

(2) Any limitations of results derived from the factors in Paragraph (1) of Subsection D of 16.22.2.15 NMAC should be clearly stated in the psychological report. The psychological report of an individual on whom psychological tests are not normed or adequately normed should clearly indicate the limitations of the assessment and the need for caution in interpreting test results.

E.Information for professional users.

(1) The psychologist offering an assessment procedure or automated interpretation service to non-psychologist professionals shall accompany this offering with information that fully describes:

(a) the development of the assessment procedure or service;

(b) evidence of validity and reliability; and

(c) characteristics of the normative population.

(2) The psychologist shall explicitly state the purpose and application for which the procedure is recommended and identify special qualifications required to administer and interpret it properly. The psychologist shall ensure that advertisements for the assessment procedure or interpretive service are factual and accurately descriptive.

F.Assessing quality of parenting in child custody evaluations. There may be situations in which one parent is unavailable for direct evaluation due to geographic distance, severe pathology, or refusal to participate. While the psychologist can assess the quality of parenting of the available parent, no comparison can be made in terms of which parent is better; nor can conclusions be derived about the fitness or level of psychological functioning of the unavailable parent.

G.Collateral contacts in child custody evaluations. The identification, extent, and purpose of collateral contacts made in the course of an evaluation shall be clearly explained early, even within the referral process. Collateral contacts include people who represent a major presence in the children and parents' environment.

H.Test settings. Clients or patients should take standardized tests in a setting that will preserve the integrity of the tests and the information. When possible, all assessment procedures and techniques should be administered in a clinical setting.

I.Single-test assessments. A single-test assessment should not be the sole basis for major opinions or decisions.

J.Outdated tests. The psychologist shall not base assessments, decisions, or recommendations on outdated tests or test data as defined in Paragraph (49) of Subsection A of 16.22.1.7 NMAC.

N.M. Admin. Code § 16.22.2.15

16.22.2.15 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.2.15 NMAC, 11/15/06, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 11, June 12, 2018, eff. 7/1/2018