Recommended Guidelines in Postdoctoral Training in Psychopharmacology
for Prescription Privileges and Model Legislation

The Board of Educational Affairs (BEA)/Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP) Task Force to Review the APA Psychopharmacology Curricula and Related Policies has developed these proposed revisions to the Recommended Guidelines in Postdoctoral Training in Psychopharmacology for Prescription Privileges and Model Legislation, which were adopted as APA policy in 1996 (see American Psychologist, Vol. 52, No. 8, p. 859). The BEA-CAPP Task Force is recommending updates to APA’s model curricula and related policies in light of the advances in prescriptive authority education and training and legislation since the policies were initially developed. 

The public comment period for these documents ended on April 29, 2007.  The Task Force is now in the process of updating the documents for submission to the APA Board of Directors and Council of Representatives approval.   

The proposed revision of the guidelines outlines the recommended postdoctoral education and training in psychopharmacology for already licensed psychologists who seek prescriptive authority. The proposed revision of the Model Legislation includes relevant sample provisions for inclusion in legislation granting prescriptive authority to appropriately trained psychologists.
Among the more important changes incorporated in the proposed revision are a
 shift towards demonstration of core competencies and integration of practicum training, where appropriate, in the didactic portion of training.

The proposed revisions are available in the attached documents.  The changes are available for viewing by downloading the .pdf file. (Requires Adobe Acrobat   free download)

• Revised Model legislation .pdf [280kb]
• Revised Model Curriculum .pdf [735kb]

For more information, contact:

Deborah Baker, Legal & Regulatory Affairs Department, APA Practice Directorate, at the APA address; (202) 336-5886; or email

or

Bob Walsh, APA Education Directorate, at the APA address; (202) 336-5971; or e-mail.