Chapter 02. Continuing Education
Regulation .01 Scope.LinkCopy Citation
This chapter applies to all psychologists and psychology associates who want to renew their licensure or registration in the State.
Regulation .02 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
B.
Terms Defined.
(1)
“Activity” means any authoring, editing, learning, presenting, program developing, reviewing, or teaching which meets the objectives of continuing education.
(2)
“Approved program” means an activity by an authorized sponsor.
(3)
“Authorized sponsor” means an individual or organization whose programs are accepted by the Board as continuing education activity.
(4)
“Board” means the Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
(5)
“Continuing education (CE)” means learning experiences that:
(a)
Are professional activities beyond that required for licensure or registration;
(b)
Are relevant to psychological practice, education, or science;
(c)
Enable psychologists and psychology associates to keep pace with emerging issues and technology; and
(d)
Allow psychologists and psychology associates to develop, maintain, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
(6)
“Continuing education (CE) hour” means approximately 1 hour of continuing education activity, unless stated otherwise in Regulation .04 of this chapter.
(7)
Course.
(a)
“Course” means an activity:
(i)
With one or more instructors who are experts in the topic and impart knowledge or professional skills by a systematic presentation to participants;
(ii)
That may be offered in person or in real time through electronic means; and
(iii)
That allows for interaction between the leader and the participants or among the participants.
(b)
“Course” includes seminars, symposiums, and workshops.
(8)
“Independent study” means an activity requiring the study of print or electronic materials offered by approved sponsors approved for CE for independent or home study that is not a course as defined in §B(7) of this regulation.
(9)
“Peer consultation group” means a group of psychologists that meets in person, in a structured and organized manner, and discusses the clinical practice of psychology in order to broaden professional knowledge and expertise.
(10)
“Reporting period” means a 2-year period beginning on April 1, except as stated in Regulation .04C of this chapter, during which the completion of a minimum number of CE hours is required to renew a license or registration by March 31 following the reporting period.
Regulation .03 Goals of Continuing Education Activities.LinkCopy Citation
To qualify for approval by the Board, continuing education activities:
A.
Shall meet one or more of the following objectives:
(1)
Maintains the professional competency of psychologists or psychology associates;
(2)
Increases the professional skills and knowledge of psychologists or psychology associates;
(3)
Prepares psychologists or psychology associates for new roles or responsibilities in the practice of psychology; or
(4)
Expands the science of psychological theory, method, or practice; and
B.
May not include:
(1)
Business meetings;
(2)
Professional committee meetings; and
(3)
Presentations and publications primarily intended for a lay audience.
Regulation .04 Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A psychologist shall complete a minimum of 40 CE hours during each reporting period with a:
(1)
Maximum of 20 CE hours in independent study;
(2)
Minimum of 3 CE hours in activities whose content area is:
(a)
Laws pertaining to the practice of psychology;
(b)
Ethics and professional conduct in the practice of psychology; or
(c)
Managing risks associated with the practice of psychology;
(3)
Minimum of 3 CE hours in activities designed to enhance competence in the provision of psychological services to culturally diverse populations; and
(4)
If the psychologist supervised psychology associates during the reporting period, minimum of 3 CE hours in activities designed to enhance competence in the provision of clinical supervision.
B.
A psychology associate shall complete a minimum of 20 CE hours during each reporting period with a:
(1)
Maximum of 10 CE hours in independent study;
(2)
Minimum of 3 CE hours in activities whose content area is:
(a)
Laws pertaining to the practice of psychology;
(b)
Ethics and professional conduct in the practice of psychology; or
(c)
Managing risks associated with the practice of psychology; and
(3)
Minimum of 3 CE hours in activities designed to enhance competence in the provision of psychological services to culturally diverse populations.
C.
During each reporting period, CE hours may be earned only once for the same activity.
D.
Reporting Period.
(1)
The reporting period for psychologists or psychology associates with license or registration numbers ending with an:
(a)
Odd digit will be March 31 of odd years; and
(b)
Even digit or 0 will be March 31 of even years.
(2)
For psychologists or psychology associates receiving their initial license or registration with less than 12 months before the end of their reporting period, CE hours are not required for that reporting period.
(3)
Psychologists receiving their initial license with 12 months or more before the end of their reporting period shall be required to complete 20 CE hours.
(4)
Psychology associates receiving their initial registration 12 months or more before the end of their reporting period shall be required to complete 10 CE hours.
E.
CE Audits.
(1)
The Board shall randomly audit the continuing education documentation of all psychologists and psychology associates.
(2)
Psychologists and psychology associates selected for an audit shall renew their license or registration by March 1.
(3)
Within 10 days following notification by the Board, a psychologist or psychology associate who is audited shall provide:
(a)
Proof of completion of continuing education activities;
(b)
A completed continuing education reporting form; and
(c)
Any additional information that may be requested by the Board to evaluate completion of CE requirements.
(4)
Proof of completion as required in §D(2)(a) of this regulation may include:
(a)
Certificates of attendance;
(b)
Transcripts or course syllabi;
(c)
Reprints of publications;
(d)
Test results; or
(e)
Any other proof of completion acceptable to the Board.
(5)
To earn CE credits for independent study, a psychologist or psychology associate shall:
(a)
Pass an examination on the activity; and
(b)
Be awarded a certificate of completion.
Regulation .05-1 Peer Consultation Groups.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A psychologist may earn CE credit for participation in a peer consultation group.
B.
A peer consultation group shall:
(1)
Meet to discuss the clinical practice of psychology;
(2)
Assign a recording secretary to keep attendance and record a brief summary of what was discussed at the meeting;
(3)
Meet for no less than 1 hour for every session; and
(4)
Consist of no fewer than three psychologists and no more than six psychologists.
C.
The recording secretary:
(1)
Shall provide a copy of the meeting summary to each psychologist in attendance and keep a copy in a file maintained by the recording secretary;
(2)
Shall complete, sign, and provide to each psychologist member a certificate at the end of the reporting period that verifies attendance and specifies the number of hours the psychologist participated in the peer consultation group;
(3)
Shall ensure that another peer consultation group participant act as a substitute recording secretary at any group meeting at which the recording secretary is absent; and
(4)
May be a role fulfilled by different psychologist participants during the life of the peer consultation group.
D.
A psychologist participating in a peer consultation group:
(1)
Shall provide the certificate of attendance to the Board at the time of renewal to verify participation in the peer consultation group;
(2)
Shall provide copies of the meeting summaries to the Board in the event of a CE audit;
(3)
Shall only receive CE credit for hours of peer consultation group meetings actually attended; and
(4)
May participate in more than one peer consultation group, in which case hours of participation in all peer consultation groups shall be added together to calculate CE credit.
E.
CE hours for participating in a peer consultation group may be earned as follows:
(1)
One CE hour for 7 to 13 hours of participation in a peer consultation group during the reporting period;
(2)
Two CE hours for 14 to 20 hours of participation in a peer consultation group during the reporting period;
(3)
Three CE hours for 21 to 27 hours of participation in a peer consultation group during the reporting period; and
(4)
Four CE hours for 28 or more hours of participation in a peer consultation group during the reporting period.
F.
Extra hours of participation in a peer consultation group may not be carried over to the next reporting period for CE credit.
Regulation .05 Types of Approved Continuing Education Activities.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The total number of hours that may be used to fulfill CE requirements for scholarly activities included in §C of this regulation may not exceed 30 hours for psychologists or 15 hours for psychology associates during each 2-year reporting period.
B.
If the activity has more than one author or presenter, CE hours are awarded only to the first three authors.
C.
Approved CE activities include the following:
(1)
Authoring, editing, presenting, or reviewing a scholarly publication where:
(a)
A maximum of 20 CE hours for psychologists or 10 CE hours for psychology associates may be earned during each 2-year reporting period for publication by the author or authors of a book during the year of publication;
(b)
A maximum of 15 CE hours for psychologists or 8 CE hours for psychology associates may be earned for each 2-year reporting period during the year of publication for serving as the:
(i)
Editor of a book;
(ii)
Author of a book chapter; or
(iii)
Author of a scientific peer-reviewed journal article;
(c)
A maximum of 15 CE hours for psychologists or 8 CE hours for psychology associates may be earned for each 2-year reporting period for service by the editor or associate editor of a peer-reviewed scientific journal; and
(d)
A maximum of 15 CE hours for psychologists or 8 CE hours for psychology associates may be earned for each 2-year reporting period for service as an editorial board member of a peer-reviewed scientific journal;
(2)
Three CE hours may be earned for each hour of presentation of the first offering of scholarly papers or courses for an authorized sponsor with a maximum of 15 CE hours for psychologists or 9 CE hours for psychology associates for each 2-year reporting period;
(3)
Three CE hours may be earned for developing and presenting a scholarly poster with a maximum of 15 CE hours for psychologists or 9 CE hours for psychology associates for each 2-year reporting period; and
D.
A maximum of 4 CE hours may be earned by a psychologist for participation in a peer consultation group during each 2-year reporting period, as specified in Regulation .05-1 of this chapter.
E.
CE hours may be earned for attending courses offered by an authorized sponsor specified in Regulation .06 of this chapter.
Regulation .06 Authorized Sponsors.LinkCopy Citation
The following organizations and their approved CE sponsors are authorized sponsors of continuing education acceptable to the Board:
A.
American Psychological Association;
B.
Association for Psychological Science;
C.
American Medical Association;
D.
National Association of Social Workers;
E.
National Association of School Psychologists;
F.
Maryland Department of Health (MDH);
G.
National Institutes of Health; and
H.
Accredited academic institutions.
Regulation .07 Denial of License or Registration Renewal for Failure to Meet Continuing Education Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Board shall deny a renewal application if:
(1)
The psychologist or psychology associate did not complete required continuing education hours within the reporting period; or
(2)
The psychologist or psychology associate did not fulfill audit requirements within 30 days.
B.
Upon denying a renewal application, the Board shall notify the psychologist or psychology associate by certified mail that the psychologist’s or psychology associate’s renewal application has been denied for failure to comply with the continuing education requirements.
C.
A psychologist or psychology associate may request a hearing on the denial of the renewal application. The request shall be:
(1)
In writing; and
(2)
Received by the Board within 30 days of the notification of denial.
D.
If requested by the psychologist or psychology associate, the Board shall convene a hearing within a reasonable time on the denial of the renewal application.
E.
A hearing conducted under this regulation may not be held in accordance with the Maryland Administrative Procedure Act.
Regulation .08 Continuing Education Required for License Reactivation or License or Registration Reinstatement.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Inactive Status.
(1)
A psychologist on inactive status who applies for a reactivation of the license with less than 1 year remaining in the reporting period shall:
(a)
Provide documentation of a minimum of 20 CE hours completed during the current reporting period with not more than 10 hours in independent or home study; and
(b)
Pay the renewal fee as specified in COMAR 10.36.06.
(2)
A psychologist on inactive status who applies for a reactivation of the license with more than 1 year remaining in the reporting period shall:
(a)
Provide documentation of a minimum of 20 CE hours completed during the current reporting period, with not more than 10 hours in independent or home study;
(b)
Complete the remaining 20 CE hours required by the end of the reporting period, with not more than 10 hours in independent or home study; and
(c)
Pay the renewal fee as specified in COMAR 10.36.06.
B.
Expired License or Registration.
(1)
A psychologist who applies for reinstatement of a license that expired less than 1 year from the date of application shall:
(a)
Provide documentation of a minimum of 20 CE hours completed during the current reporting period, with not more than 10 CE hours in independent study;
(b)
Complete the remainder of continuing education requirements by the end of the reporting period; and
(c)
Pay the reinstatement and renewal fees as specified in COMAR 10.36.06.
(2)
A psychology associate who applies for reinstatement of a registration that expired less than 1 year from the date of application shall:
(a)
Provide documentation of a minimum of 10 CE hours completed during the current reporting period, with not more than 5 CE hours in independent study;
(b)
Complete the remainder of continuing education requirements by the end of the reporting period; and
(c)
Pay the reinstatement and renewal fees as specified in COMAR 10.36.06.
(3)
A psychologist who applies for reinstatement of a license that expired more than 1 year but less than 5 years from the date of application shall:
(a)
Provide documentation of 40 CE hours for the current reporting period; and
(b)
Pay the reinstatement and renewal fees as specified in COMAR 10.36.06.
(4)
A psychology associate who applies for reinstatement of a registration that expired more than 1 year but less than 5 years from the date of application shall:
(a)
Provide documentation of 20 CE hours for the current reporting period; and
(b)
Pay the reinstatement and renewal fees as specified in COMAR 10.36.06.
(5)
A psychologist whose license has been expired for more than 5 years and who did not make application to go on inactive status shall reapply for licensure.
(6)
A psychology associate whose registration has been expired for more than 5 years shall reapply for a registration.
(7)
The Board may not approve an application for reinstatement until it receives documentation of the minimum CE requirements as set forth in this regulation.
Regulation .09 Modifications of CE Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
The Board may approve modifications of the CE requirements.
B.
To request modifications of the CE requirements, a psychologist or psychology associate shall:
(1)
Make a written request;
(2)
Provide evidence of a disability or inability to access activities; and
(3)
Specify acceptable procedures for completion and documentation of the required hours within the reporting period.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Health Occupations Article, §18-309(f), Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date: February 24, 1978 (5:4 Md. R. 227)
History: Regulation .01A; .03B; .04A and C; .05A, C, and D; and .06 amended effective July 19, 1982 (9:14 Md. R. 1431)
History: Chapter revised effective February 20, 1989 (16:3 Md. R. 344)
History: Regulations .02 — .06 repealed and new Regulations .02 — .06 adopted as an emergency provision effective January 1, 2000 (27:3 Md. R. 325); adopted permanently effective May 1, 2000 (27:8 Md. R. 798)
History: Regulation .06A amended as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2008 (35:17 Md. R. 1482); amended permanently effective October 6, 2008 (35:20 Md. R. 1775)
History: Regulations .01 — .06 repealed and new Regulations .01 — .09 adopted effective December 31, 2009 (36:26 Md. R. 1995)
History: Regulation .01 amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .02B amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .03A amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .04 amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .05 amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .05-1 adopted effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .07 amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .08 amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)
History: Regulation .09B amended effective May 25, 2015 (42:10 Md. R. 684)