N.M. Admin. Code § 16.22.9.8

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 16.22.9.8 - REQUIRED HOURS

A.Purpose. The purpose of continuing professional education (CPE) requirements for psychologists is to ensure that licensees update and advance their skills such that the public shall benefit from the most current and effective standards of professional practice. To further the goal of public benefit, all psychologists are required to fulfill a portion of their CPE in the areas of ethics and cultural diversity as related to the profession of psychology.

B.Required hours. The board requires 40 hours of CPE for licensed psychologists and psychologist associates during every two years. For conditional prescribing and unrestricted prescribing psychologists the board requires 60 hours of CPE every two years.

C.Program types. CPE credits are divided into two categories depending on the design and approval process for the experience and on the monitoring of the psychologist. Psychologists must obtain at least 15 of their 40 hours every two years in category I, which is the most stringent in terms of presentation standards and monitoring. Any additional hours to complete the 40 hour requirement may be from category I or category II.

(1) Cultural Diversity: a minimum of two hours every two years from either category must be in the area of cultural diversity or health disparities as described in 16.22.9.9 NMAC.

(2) Equity and inclusion: a minimum of four hours every two years from either category I or II must be on the topic of race, ethnicity, systemic racism, structural inequality, poverty or the intersection of variables that impact marginalized communities as described in 16.22.9.9 NMAC.

(3) Ethics: a minimum of four hours every two years from either category must be in the area of ethics as described in 16.22.9.9 NMAC.

(4) Psychopharmacology or psychopharmacotherapy: for conditional prescribing or unrestricted prescribing psychologists, 40 hours every two years out of the 60 hour CPE requirement must be in the area of psychopharmacology or psychopharmacotherapy.

D.Criteria. The board accepts the criteria of the national professional organizations listed in 16.22.9.9 NMAC in accrediting continuing education hours. The following criteria adapted from Standards and Criteria for Approval of Sponsors of Continuing Education for Psychologists (American Psychological Association, 2009) shall apply to New Mexico accrediting organizations when approving continuing education requests.

(1) Sponsors must be prepared to demonstrate that information and programs presented are based on methodical, theoretical, research, or practice knowledge base. This requirement must be met by at least one of the following:

(a) Program content has obtained credibility, as demonstrated by the involvement of the broader psychological practice, education, and science communities in studying or applying the findings, procedures, practices, or theoretical concepts.

(b) Program content has been supported using established research procedures and scientific scrutiny.

(c) Program content has peer reviewed, published support beyond those publications and other types of communications devoted primarily to the promotion of the approach.

(d) Program content is related to ethical, legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that impact psychology.

(2) Sponsors must select instructors with expertise in the program content and who are competent to teach this program content at a level that builds upon a completed doctoral program in psychology.

(3) Sponsors are required to ensure that instructors, during each CE presentation, include statements that describe the accuracy and utility of the materials presented, the basis of such statements, the limitations of the content being taught and the severe and the most common risks.

(4) Sponsors must offer program content that builds upon the foundation of a completed doctoral program in psychology.

(5) Sponsors must be prepared to demonstrate that content is relevant to psychological practice, education, or science.

(6) Sponsors must clearly describe any commercial support for the CE program, presentation. Or instructor to program participants at the time the CE program begins. Any other relationship that could be reasonably construed as a conflict of interest also must be disclosed.

N.M. Admin. Code § 16.22.9.8

16.22.9.8 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.9.9 NMAC, 09/16/10, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVI, Issue 07, April 16, 2015, eff. 4/30/2015, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXII, Issue 01, January 11, 2022, eff. 2/10/2022