• The Board of Psychology now offers automatic information updates through email
• California psychologists may be eligible to renew their licenses online

Refer to the BOP Website at: www.psychboard.ca.gov

Which courses count toward the continuing education requirement for license renewal?    As of January 1, 2006, the Board of Psychology recognizes and accepts for continuing education courses that are: approved by the MCEP Accrediting Agency (MCEP); approved by the American Psychological Association (APA); Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses specifically applicable and pertinent to the practice of psychology and that are accredited by the California Medical Association (CMA) or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME); Note: AMA PRA Category 1 credits are ACCME approved. sponsored by the Academies of the specialty boards of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Definition of a course: Article 12, Section 1397.60 (c) of the Business and Professions Code states “A “course” or “presentation” means an approved systematic learning experience of at least one hour in length.  One hour shall consist of 60 minutes of actual instruction.  Courses or presentations less than one hour in duration shall not be approved.”

MCEP Credit Reporting Form

       The MCEP Accrediting Agency tracks attendance for all licensees (maintaining individual transcripts) and reports non-compliance to the BOP.  The Board considers this a 100% audit.  Because APA, ABPP and CME Providers are independent of the Accrediting Agency, they do not inform us about their courses, which you may have attended.   Therefore, all psychologists need to report those courses that are allowed by the BOP, but that do not have MCEP course approval number, on an MCEP Credit Reporting Form.

         This reporting form requires attaching copies of attendance certificates, and a small report processing fee.  Instructions are at the bottom of the form.  You are encouraged to report multiple courses because the fee is per report, not per course.  If you are comfortable with maintaining your own interim records, you can file one report every two years.  Alternatively, you can file as frequently as you would like.  Once we have processed your report, we will mail you an updated copy of your educational record so you have written confirmation.

MCEP Credit Reporting Forms are available on this webpage (see menu at right) or by telephone request (916) 286-7980 ext. 104 or by e-mail  mcepaa@cpapsych.org

Accrual Period
       Your license renews on the last day of your birth month.  You begin accruing hours on the first day of the month after your renewal and continue to acquire hours until the last day of the renewal cycle.  Each two-year renewal cycle requires 36 approved MCE hours.  If you are renewing for the first-time, and were licensed for less than the full two years, your hours will be pro-rated @1.5 hours for each month or partial month your license was active.  If you accrue extra hours during any renewal cycle, the excess can not be applied forward.  Everyone starts fresh each renewal cycle.

Exemptions
        Exemptions are available for reasons of physical or mental disability of self or immediate family member, if you are residing out of state or on active duty military service, or require further accommodations under ADA.  Full information is available on the BOP's website.   Contact the Board of Psychology directly in order to determine if you qualify and to apply for an exemption. For more information:  Click Here  

       There are also provisions for and a process to comply with the CE requirement if you are not working in direct mental health service delivery.  (MCE Regulations:  1397.62 (b))     For more information please contact the Board of Psychology directly.

Inactive License
       You do not need continuing education hours to renew an inactive license.   In order to reactivate an inactive license, 36 hours of qualifying continuing education, including any mandatory courses at the time, are required. These hours of coursework must have been completed no more than 24 months prior to the date of reactivation.  For further information about placing a license on inactive status or reactivating a license, please contact the BOP directly. 

 Distance Learning  -  Now known as Independent Learning   (Same definition, just new name)
       Effective  December 16, 2006,  psychologists whose licenses expire in December, 2006 or after will be allowed to accrue up to 75% of their continuing education via distance learning each renewal cycle.  For more information, see What's New. For renewal periods between January, 2005 and November, 2006  psychologists are allowed to accrue up to 50% of their continuing education via distance learning each renewal cycle.  Distance learning courses may be taught via the Internet, CD-ROM, satellite downlink and traditional home study.  Distance learning courses must meet the same content requirements as all other MCEP approved courses. 

Ethics and the Law
       Effective January, 2007,  there is a change in the BOP's ethics and law requirement to allow more flexibility to psychologists in meeting the intent of the original requirement – to stay abreast of changes in law, regulation, ethical standards and standards of practice in their specialty area.  The new approach to the law and ethics requirement requires the use of professional judgment – it is not a prescribed, one size fits all formula.  The burden has always been on the professional to stay abreast of the changes – you now have the flexibility to select activities that are both useful and appropriate for your practice.    For details , click here.  Reminder -  this does not change the CE regulation that requires 36 hours of approved coursework to renew your license.  This only effects the ethics and law requirement.

Supervision Requirement
       The Board of Psychology’s supervision requirement is completely unrelated to the MCE license renewal requirement.  This means that the Accrediting Agency does not review or authorize that a course in any way meets the Board’s supervision requirement.  You make the determination whether or not any particular course or subject of study meets your educational requirements as a supervisor.  For assistance in making that determination, please visit the Board of Psychology’s web site at:  www.psychboard.ca.gov

Business and Marketing Courses
       The Board has explicitly confirmed that courses predominantly focused on business issues or marketing, or that are designed for explore opportunities for a psychologist’s personal growth are not eligible for MCE credit.  Course material must have a clinical relevance or direct application to the consumer of psychological services.