Procedures For Certification

To become certified as a Certified Psychological Assistant in Tennessee, a person must comply with the following procedures and requirements: (1) An application packet shall be requested from the Board’s administrative office or downloaded from the Department of Health’s website. (2) An applicant shall respond truthfully and completely to every question or request for information contained in the application form. The completed application form and all fees required by the form and these rules shall be submitted to the Board’s administrative office. (3) Applications will be accepted throughout the year. (4) An applicant shall submit with the applicant’s application a signed passport-type photograph taken within the preceding twelve (12) months. RULES GOVERNING CERTIFIED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANTS CHAPTER 1180-04 (5) An applicant shall submit with the applicant’s application, verification of U.S. citizenship or legal presence in the U.S. pursuant to T.C.A. § 4-58-103(a)(2). (6) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request that the institution(s) of higher education submit the transcript(s) of all graduate course work directly to the Board office. The transcript(s) must show the highest degree(s) earned and must carry the official seal of that institution. (7) An applicant for certification as a Certified Psychological Assistant must submit completed worksheets for evaluation of graduate courses indicating the applicant’s allocation of course credit to substantive psychology course work and to course work completed in psychological testing and measurement. The applicant must send copies of the course descriptions from the graduate catalog current at the time of his or her enrollment. (8) An applicant must comply with T.C.A. § 63-11-207(b)(2)(A), and provide evidence of ethical practice as follows: (a) Such evidence shall be a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation in addition to the practicum documentation. (b) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request letters of recommendation from individuals who have personal knowledge of, and can attest to, the applicant’s education, training, and performance at the specific level of certification for which the applicant is applying. (c) All letters of recommendation must contain a statement specifying that certification as a Certified Psychological Assistant for the applicant is being recommended. (d) All letters shall be original letters dated within the last twelve (12) months, written specifically for the certification application, and sent directly to the Board by the person providing the information on the signatory’s letterhead. (e) One (1) of the required three (3) letters must be from a licensed Psychologist with HSP designation, or if the endorser is from another jurisdiction, HSP equivalent licensed Psychologist. The other letters may be from licensed Psychologists or licensed Senior Psychological Examiners. (f) Letter(s) from the practicum supervisor(s) shall be submitted. The letter(s) shall provide specific information about the types of clients and range of services provided as well as the nature of the internship or practicum site. An overall evaluation of the quality of services provided by the trainee must be included. (g) If the applicant has received a Masters Degree in psychology and is a student in good standing in a doctoral degree from an APA approved or CNRHSPP/ASPPB designated training program in professional psychology, a letter of recommendation from the Director of Training of that doctoral degree program must be provided. (9) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: (a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state or municipality, except minor traffic violations. (b) The denial of licensure or certification by any other state or the discipline of licensure or certification by any state. (c) Loss or restriction of licensure or certification. RULES GOVERNING CERTIFIED PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANTS CHAPTER 1180-04 (d) Any civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including, without limitation, actions involving malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity, or any other civil action remedy recognized under the country’s or state’s statutory, common or case law. (10) An applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s certification application materials, the result of a criminal background check. (11) If an applicant holds or has ever held a license or certificate to practice psychology in another state, regardless of the type or level of licensure or certification, the applicant shall cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Fitness (verification of license) from the authorizing regulatory agency which indicates the applicant holds or held an active license or certificate and whether it is in good standing presently or was at the time it became inactive. (12) When necessary, all required documents shall be translated into English and the translation and original document certified as to authenticity by the issuing source. Both versions must be submitted to the Board’s administrative office.