This information is shared with our readers in order to alert you about recent legislation that will affect the care of patients with brain conditions in need of neuropsychological examination (NPE) and care.
The ASPPB Regulatory Task Force and the American Psychological Association proposed Master’s level providers to engage independently in administering psychological tests to patients, though they will not be permitted to identify themselves as neuropsychologists or accept referrals for NPEs. However, there is no system in place to assure the Master’s level provider from administering and interpreting tests traditionally reserved for neuropsychologists. The Master’s level provider could merely use different language calling the NPE a “cognitive screener”, “cognitive assessment” or some other obscure term.
State licensing boards and professional organizations do not have the resources and time to monitor such restrictions placing you, the patient, at risk of harm from these providers who ignore these restrictions. Some Master’s level providers engage in test interpretation beyond their competencies. Complex NPEs involving memory, reasoning, language, personality tests should be specifically excluded for Master’s level providers. This is a standard of care in NPEs administered by doctoral level neuropsychologists due to their in-depth training, education, clinical rotations above and beyond the Master’s level provider.
To be assured you are in the right hands, check and ask whether you are being treated by a legitimate neuropsychologist, preferably board certified.
If you have any concerns, give us a call and we are willing to answer your questions and concerns and guide you in the proper direction.
NRS|LS