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Psychologists Board

NOTICE OF SCOPES OF PRACTICE AND RELATED QUALIFICATIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE PSYCHOLOGISTS BOARD

The Psychologists Board will assume its full responsibilities under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 on 18 September 2004. This notice will take effect from that date.

SCOPES OF PRACTICE

Pursuant to section 11 (1) of the Act, specifies four scopes of practice as follows:

GENERAL SCOPES

1. Psychologist

A psychologist within a general scope is defined as rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organisations or the public any psychological service involving the application of psychological knowledge, principles, methods and procedures of understanding, predicting ameliorating or influencing behaviour, affect or cognition. Such practice is undertaken within an individual’s area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal, and Board-prescribed standards.

1. Trainee or Intern Psychologist

VOCATIONAL SCOPES

1. Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists apply psychological knowledge and theory derived from research to the area of mental health and development, to assist children, young persons, adults and their families with emotional, mental, developmental or behavioural problems by using psychological assessment, formulation and diagnosis based on biological, social and psychological factors, and applying therapeutic interventions using a scientist-practitioner approach. Such practice is undertaken within an individual’s area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal, and Board-prescribed standards.

2. Educational Psychologist
Educational Psychologists apply psychological knowledge and theory derived from research to the area of learning and development, to assist children, young persons, adults and their families regarding their learning, academic performance, behavioural, social and emotional development, by using psychological and educational assessments and applying interventions using systemic, ecological and developmental approaches. Such practice is undertaken within an individual’s area and level of expertise and with due regard to ethical, legal, and Board-prescribed standards.

Qualifications Prescribed for Registration in a Scope of Practice

1. Psychologist

Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications are prescribed for registration as a psychologist in the general scope of practice;
A minimum of a Masters degree in psychology from an accredited1 educational organisation organisation, or an equivalent qualification. Eligibility for a general scope of practice requires a Board approved practicum or internship involving 1500 hours of supervised practice

2. Intern or Trainee Psychologist

A Limited General Psychology Scope of Practice may be granted to applicants:
who have completed formal academic qualifications that have provided the trainee psychologist with the foundation competencies required for safe practice in the approved supervised setting, and
who are entering Board approved2 supervised practice for the purpose of achieving full registration.

3. Clinical Psychologist
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications have been prescribed for registration as a psychologist in the clinical scope of practice;
A minimum of a Masters degree in psychology from an accredited educational organisation and an accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, or equivalent qualification. Eligibility for a clinical psychology scope of practice shall require a Board approved practicum or internship involving 1500 hours of supervised practice.

4. Educational Psychologist
Pursuant to section 12 of the Act, the following qualifications have been prescribed for registration as a psychologist in the educational scope of practice;
A minimum of a Masters degree in psychology from an accredited educational organisation and an accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology, or equivalent qualification. Eligibility for an educational scope of practice shall require a Board approved practicum or internship involving 1500 hours of supervised practice.

Dated at Wellington this 20th day of August 2004
KAREN CROSBY, Secretary, Psychologists Board