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By Dexter Van Zile
Psychologists who haven't completed all the necessary continuing
education credits to renew their licenses can get an extension to
fulfill the requirements, but only if they ask. Practitioners who
leave things to chance and hope they aren't chosen in a random audit
by the state licensing board risk both fines and sanction that could
be easily avoided with a simple letter. That's the message from
officials at various registration boards in New England.
"Generally speaking the board will offer an extension," says Anne
Head, director of the Office of Licensing and Registration in Maine's
Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. "As long as
the renewal application is on time, but somebody says I don't have
the right credits, they'll be offered a consent agreement."
Head says the consent agreement will require the practitioner to
admit failing to comply with licensing rules and a deadline by which
the credits will be achieved, Head says. She adds that sometimes,
a fine is imposed, but not always.
Head and her counterparts in other states are charged with ensuring
the practicing psychologists in the region have the proper training
and continue to learn about their profession.
Psychologists in Rhode Island have a similar option if they run
into problems getting their continuing education credits in time
for renewal, says Derek Puleo, acting board administrator for the
Board of Psychology. In Rhode Island, between five and 10 percent
of the state's licensed psychologists will be subject to a random
audit to ensure that they've obtained the continuing education credits
required for renewal. Additionally, practitioners who have complaints
filed against them may be asked to provide proof that they've been
obtaining credits throughout their career.
"We could do that if we choose to," Puleo says, adding that for
the most part, most psychologists who have been audited have been
able to provide proof of the continuing education credits.
"In the past year there might have been five people who have run
into problems," Puleo says.
Jamie Stevens, board secretary for the New Hampshire Board of Mental
Health Practice says psychologists who have problems getting the
CE credits in time for renewal can contact the board. It doesn't
happen very often, she says.
I can't remember the last time we've had someone who had a problem,"
she says. "They can go inactive if they don't think they'll need
the license. Then they're not required to get CE credits."
After going on inactive status, Stevens explains, a practitioner
has six months to go back on active status without having to reapply
for the license to practice psychology.
Vermont will begin its random audit program the beginning of next
year, says Peggy Atkins, board administrator for the Vermont Board
of Psychological Examiners. As far as continuing education credits
are concerned, it's normal procedure to grant a 90-day extension
to a practitioner who needs more time, she says.
Ultimately, it's a better idea to obtain the continuing education
credits in time for license renewal than it is to ask for an extension,
but under no circumstances should practitioners think doing nothing
is an option. In every case, getting caught without the continuing
education credits after the fact is just asking for trouble. "If
they just blow it off, the consequences will be more severe," Head
says.
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