In February 2015, the APA Council of Representatives approved the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology (SoA). The SoA will be implemented beginning with all self-studies due Sept. 1, 2016. As stated during the development of the SoA, Commission on Accreditation (CoA) must update existing Implementing Regulations (IRs) and create new IRs to further clarify information contained within the SoA and proposed revised Accreditation Operating Procedures (AOP). In the IR (Phase I) period, CoA is seeking feedback on seven IRs. Four IRs relate to the proposed AOP:
- Intent to apply IR for doctoral programs.
- “Accredited, on contingency” IR for doctoral programs.
- Site visitor nomination IR*.
- Site visitor selection IR*.
*Current IRs with proposed revisions.
Three IRs relate to the SoA:
- Direct observation.
- Discipline specific knowledge.
- Profession-wide competencies.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, CoA will make the proposed IRs available for a period of public review and comment. In an effort to promote thoughtful discussion, CoA is providing an electronic-based comment form for public comment submission. Comments and other information, including the users’ identity, will be public. Email addresses used in the registration will be kept confidential. CoA will consider all comments received and make any appropriate revisions prior to approval of the final version of each IR.
The public comment period is scheduled to close on June 30, 2015. To provide public comment, please go to the Accreditation public comment systemopens in new window and select Implementing Regulations (Phase I). A PDF of the Implementing Regulations out for public comment is to the right of this title.