In order to comply with criteria established by external bodies that recognize accrediting agencies, the CoA has proposed modifications to the Accreditation Operating Procedures (AOP) that define probation as an “adverse action”, AOP and corresponding Implementing Regulations (IR) in Section D that provide specific actions an appeal panel may take and IRs in Section E that define timelines for communication of certain accreditation decisions. While the CoA is moving forward to maintain compliance with the external recognition bodies, these proposed changes must be reviewed and approved by association governance and has been put forward for a 30-day period of public notice.
Additionally, the Standards of Accreditation for Health Service Psychology (SoA) outline training requirements for programs at the doctoral, doctoral internship, and postdoctoral levels. Correspondent to the SoA are the IRs, which are official policy documents that “elucidate, interpret, and operationally define” the CoA’s policies and procedures. Through this iterative process, opportunities for clarification have arisen regarding IRs in Section C, which relate specifically to the SoA.
Per the SoA, the CoA requires that all trainees who complete accredited training programs, regardless of substantive practice area, degree type, or level of training, develop certain competencies as part of their preparation for practice in health service psychology. The CoA evaluates a program’s adherence to this standard in the context of the SoA sections that articulate competencies at each training level. IR C-9 P refer specifically to aspects of a program’s curriculum or training relevant to acquisition and demonstration of specific competencies at the postdoctoral level. Additionally, IRs C-27 D, C-24 I, and C-20 P outline notifications of changes to accredited programs.
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and U.S. Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, the APA CoA will make the proposed standards available for a 75 day period of public review and comment from March 18–June 1, 2021. Information about the proposed standards and public comment will be available on the Accreditation Public Comment System.