COLORADO Continuing Professional Development Program Manual User Guide

COLORADO Continuing Professional Development Program Manual

Product Information: Continuing Professional Development Program Manual

The Continuing Professional Development Program Manual is a comprehensive guide designed for psychologists to satisfy the requirements set by the State Board of Psychologist Examiners. This program ensures that licensed psychologists in Colorado can continually enhance their knowledge, skills, and judgment in practicing psychology according to industry standards and ethical guidelines.

Continuing Professional Development Requirements

The CPD program is mandatory for all licensed psychologists with an Active- status license in Colorado, regardless of their employment status or hours worked. Compliance with CPD requirements is necessary for license renewal or reinstatement.

How to Comply with CPD Requirements

Psychologists can comply with CPD requirements through two methods:

1. The State Board of Psychologist Examiners’ CPD Program
2. Military Exemption: Psychologists who have served on federally-funded active duty for over 120 days in a war, emergency, or contingency may be eligible for an exemption from CPC  requirements.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program Steps

If psychologists do not qualify for a Military Exemption, they must participate in the Board’s CPD Program, which consists of the following steps:

1. Complete the Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (optional) and establish learning goals.
2. Create a Learning Plan.
3. Execute the Learning Plan and accumulate 40 Professional  Development Hours (PDH) through Professional Development Activities (PDA).
4. Document the completed Professional Development Hours (PDH).

Product Usage Instructions: Continuing Professional Development Program

Step 1: Complete the Reflective Self-Assessment Tool and Establish Learning Goals

The Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT) is an optional step that psychologists can complete to assess their current skills and knowledge. This tool will not be viewed or used by the Board. To complete the RSAT:

1. Visit the website dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD.
2. Download the RSAT document and save it on your computer.
3. Fill in the required information electronically or print the document and complete it manually.
4. Retain a copy of the completed RSAT as a resource during the license period.

Step 2: Create a Learning Plan

All licensed psychologists are required to develop and complete an official Learning Plan. To create your Learning Plan:

1. Visit the website dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD.
2. Access the available Learning Plan forms.
3. Follow the instructions provided on the forms to develop your Learning Plan.

Following these steps will ensure that psychologists fulfill the Continuing Professional Development requirements and maintain their license to practice as a psychologist in Colorado.

Psychologist Continuing Professional Development Requirements

What is Continuing Professional Development?
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the State Board of Psychologist Examiners’ (Board) program through which a licensed psychologist satisfies requirements to ensure their ongoing ability to learn, integrate, and apply the knowledge, skill, and judgment to practice psychology according to generally accepted industry standards and professional ethical standards.

Who is required to comply with CPD requirements?
All licensed psychologists with an Active-status license are required to satisfy CPD requirements in order to renew or reinstate a license to practice as a psychologist in Colorado, regardless of current employment status or number of hours worked.

How do I comply with CPD requirements?
There are two ways to comply:

1. The State Board of Psychologist Examiners’ CPD Program.
2. Military Exemption: If you were called to federally-funded active duty for more than 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency or contingency, you may be eligible for an exemption from CPC requirements.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program Steps
If you do not qualify for a Military Exemption, you must participate in the Board’s CPD Program. The program consists of the following steps:

1. Complete the Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (optional) and establish learning goals.
2. Create a Learning Plan.
3. Execute the Learning Plan. Completion of 40 Professional Development Hours (PDH) through Professional Development Activities (PDA) is required.
4. Document the completed Professional Development Hours (PDH).

Step 1: Complete the Reflective Self-Assessment Tool and Establish

Learning Goals

Self-reflection upon your practice can assist you in identifying learning opportunities. To assist in this self-reflection, the Board developed the Reflective Self-Assessment Tool (RSAT), which uses the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Benchmarks Model to identify the foundational knowledge areas of the psychology profession according to one’s professional role. Reflecting on your practice with honesty and sincerity while completing this tool will assist in the realization of potential areas for improvement and growth. Results from the RSAT can guide you in creating useful learning goals to achieve during the license period.

Completing the RSAT is an optional step and will not be viewed or used by the Board.

The RSAT is available online at dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD. This document can be completed as a fill-in document by saving it to your computer and entering the information onto it, or it can be printed from the website and saved in paper format. Either way, a completed copy should be retained to use as a resource during the license period.

Step 2: Create a Learning Plan

In accordance with Colorado statute, all licensed psychologists are required to develop and complete an official Learning Plan. Learning Plan forms are available at dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD.
Learning Plans are to be used as a tool to document professional learning goals and demonstrate completion of required Professional Development Hours (PDH). They should be created at the beginning of each license period, consist of learning goals that develop new skills or improve upon existing skills, and allow time for completion of all learning goals by the end of each period.

The Learning Plan may be changed throughout the license period, but it must be final upon the renewal of a license.
Learning goals documented on the Learning Plan may be satisfied by the completion of Professional Development Activities (PDA). Board-approved PDA are outlined in detail below, or can be found at dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD.
Completed Learning Plans are subject to inspection upon an audit of completion.

Step 3: Execute the Learning Plan

After creating a Learning Plan, complete the activities that were planned to meet established learning goals. Activities must be completed during the 2-year license period that immediately precedes the renewal of a license. Time spent commuting, traveling, scheduling, or planning your activities does not count towards the 40 PDH required for each license period.

Professional Development Hours (PDH)
Professional Development Hours are the units of measurement of active learning used to accrue credit in the CPD Program. One PDH is equivalent to one clock hour (60 minutes).
Document on the Learning Plan form the number of completed PDH and in which PDA category each PDH was completed. Documentation of completed activities must be retained for at least five (5) years.
For licensees who obtain their initial license during the current license period, PDH requirements will be prorated at 1.67 hours per month, including the month the license is issued through the month the license expires.

Rules for Accruing PDH:

• You must accrue at least 40 PDH during each 2-year license period.
• A maximum of 10 PDH can be carried from the last license period to the next if the hours were earned within three (3) months of the license expiration date and are in excess of the required 40 hours.
• PDH must develop your professional skill and be directly relevant to your competence in psychology, the behavioral health field, and your learning goals.
• Unless otherwise noted, PDH cannot be accrued for activities that fulfill duties for your primary role or job description.
• The Board does not pre-approve or accredit specific educational providers or programs.
• Continuing competency requirements apply to all certificate holders and licensees in Active status – regardless of current employment status or number of hours worked.
• The Board does not accept serving on a federal, state or municipal board or commission as a CPD activity.

Professional Development Activities (PDA) Categories

Professional Development Activities (PDA) are defined as Board-approved learning activities undertaken for the purpose of continuing professional development. PDH may be earned in one or more of the PDA categories. PDA chosen should maintain or enhance competence as a licensed psychologist, and they must be relevant to the documented Learning Plan. Documentation of completed activities must be retained for at least five (5) years.
A quick reference for all PDA may be found at dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD.

Coursework

Attend workshops, seminars, symposia, colloquia, invited speaker sessions, postdoctoral institutes, or scientific or professional programs offered at meetings of local, state, regional, national, or international professional or scientific organizations.

• With the exception of five (5) PDH, activities must qualify as continuing education units or continuing medical education credit as approved and/or accredited by the American Psychological Association, state medical association, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, or by a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Coursework activities may be completed in-person or online.
• One (1) continuing education hour is equivalent to one (1) PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation of learning activities shall include a transcript or certificate of attendance with a statement of the credits earned, which includes the name of the participant, the date(s) of attendance, the name of provider(s), the number of hours earned, etc.

Ethics
Complete an ethics course offered by the American Psychological Association, state medical association, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, or a regionally accredited institution of higher education. One (1) continuing education hour is equivalent to one (1) PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation of completion of an ethics course shall include a transcript or certificate of attendance with a statement of the credits earned, which includes the name of the participant, the date(s) of attendance, the name of the provider(s), the number of hours earned, etc.

Develop and Teach an Academic Course
Develop and teach an academic course in psychology at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.

• Credit can be earned for the first time within a given license period that the licensed psychologist develops and teaches the course.
• One (1) academic credit, unit, or hour is equivalent to 10 PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation of the development and teaching of an academic course shall include written verification by the dean or head of the department of the institution in which the course was taught.

Graduate Coursework
Successfully complete a graduate course in psychology offered by an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.

• One (1) academic credit, unit, or hour is equivalent to 10 PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation shall include an academic transcript showing the graduate credits earned.

Presenting

Develop and present a workshop, seminar, symposium, colloquium, or invited speaking session, at a meeting of a professional or a scientific organization or a postdoctoral institute.

• Credit can be earned for the first time within a given license period that the workshop, seminar, symposium, colloquium, or invited speaking session is developed and presented.
• One (1) hour of workshop, seminar, symposium, colloquial presentation, or invited speaking session is equivalent to three (3) PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation shall include a printed program or agenda showing the name of the licensed psychologist, the date(s) of the presentation, the name of the organization, the total number of hours presented, etc.

Publication
Author or edit a psychology publication. Maximum hours earned as follows:

• Authoring a professional or scientific book is equivalent to 40 PDH.
• Authoring a professional or scientific book chapter or journal article is equivalent to 20 PDH.
• Editing a professional or scientific book or journal is equivalent to 30 PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation shall include a coversheet, masthead, or table of contents from the publication showing the name of the licensed psychologist, the date of authoring or editing, etc.

Editorial Review
Provide editorial review of a professional psychological or scientific journal article at the request of the journal’s editorial staff.

• Completion of activity is equivalent to one (1) PDH.

Documentation Required:
Documentation shall include the acknowledgment of the completed review by the editorial staff with the name of the licensed psychologist, date of review, etc.

Step 4: Documentation

Document your PDH according to the requirements described in this manual or in the quick reference PDA Chart. Documentation must be kept for a period of five (5) years from the license expiration date of the license period for which PDH was accrued.

• Do not send any documentation to DORA unless specifically requested.
• An additional form to be saved with the documentation of completed activities includes the Learning Plan. It can be completed as a fill-in document by saving it to your computer and entering the information onto it, or it can be printed from the website and saved in paper format.
• All forms can be found online at dpo.colorado.gov/Psychology/CPD.

Multi-Licensed Professionals

Licensees holding two (2) mental health licenses are granted an exemption of 40 hours. This means if you are dually licensed, you only need to complete a total of 40 PDH each two-year license period. Licensees holding three (3) licenses are granted an exemption of 80 hours. This means if you are triply licensed, you only need to complete a total of 40 PDH. You do not need to complete 40 hours per license.
For example: A licensee holds an Active psychologist license and is also licensed as a social worker. They only need to complete 40 hours to renew their psychologist and social worker licenses. They must still participate in the respective RSATs/Practice Surveys/Rubrics and maintain a learning plan for each certificate or license. The separate learning plans may log the same activities and hours.
Do not submit a formal request for a dual or triple license exemption, Board Rule extends the exemption to all licensees who hold more than one license and participate in the CPD program.

Military Exemptions

A Military Exemption is one way to comply with continuing professional development requirements. A Military Exemption must be pre-approved by the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO).
Pursuant to Colorado statute, a licensee who has been called to federally- funded active duty for at least 120 days for the purpose of serving in a war, emergency or contingency may be eligible to receive an exemption from the continuing professional development requirements for the renewal of a license. The time frame of a license period is defined as the period from six (6) weeks prior to the expiration date of the current license through 60 days following the expiration date. The qualified service period must fall within the defined license period or up to six (6) months prior to the license period.
A licensee seeking a Military Exemption from licensing fees and continuing professional development requirements must submit a request in writing following the procedure found on DPO’s website at dpo.colorado.gov/Military/FeeWaiver. Questions regarding military exemptions can be emailed to dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us.

Audit of Compliance

Audits of compliance will be conducted following each license period. All actively-licensed psychologists can be audited. Do not send documentation of your compliance unless you receive a notice of audit.
Any documentation received by DORA and/or the Board, that was not specifically requested, will not be retained, and will NOT be returned to you.
A licensee will be notified by email if they have been selected for an audit of compliance. Addresses of record and email addresses must be kept current with the Division of Professions and Occupations. Instructions for updating an address can be found at dpo.colorado.gov/UpdateContact.

Audit Documentation
To show compliance with the Continuing Professional Development program, an audited psychologist must provide the following documentation:

• A Learning Plan signed by the licensed psychologist that contains the PDH completed in each PDA category; AND
• Documentation of all 40 PDH listed on your Learning Plan Form. Documentation requirements can be found in the PDA Chart and the PDA Categories section of this manual.

The CPD Program allows substantial flexibility to determine the course and subject matter of learning; however, licensees are expected to comply with Board requirements. In an audit, you may be asked to defend your PDH, PDA and Learning Plan, especially if activities appear to be outside the normal scope of requirements.

Questions

Please contact the Continuing Competency Helpdesk with any questions, by email at dora_dpo_continuedcompetency@state.co.us or by phone at 303-894-2363.

References

• License Renewal Assistance | Division of Professions and Occupations
• State Board of Psychologist Examiners: Continuing Professional Development | Division of Professions and Occupations
• Division of Professions and Occupations: Update Contact Information | Division of Professions and Occupations
• License Renewal Assistance | Division of Professions and Occupations
• State Board of Psychologist Examiners: Continuing Professional Development | Division of Professions and Occupations
• Division of Professions and Occupations: Update Contact Information | Division of Professions and Occupations

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