Registered Psychometrist Proposal

(originally posted 11/9/07; updated 12/4/08; updated 1/18/11)

Please note, this RP Proposal DOES NOT affect the CSP designation and is a separate issue. 

The RP designation does not include the provision of psychometrist services independent of licensed psychologists. ♣

In the fall of 2008, both NAN and Div40 declined to agree with the RP proposal because of the "time limitation" clause.  The purpose of this RP designation is to create a stepping-stone to becoming a CSP for career psychometrists while also offering a designation for trainees (including interns and post-doctoral fellows) - a proposal requested by some PhDs.  The "time limitation" clause was included by the BCP to protect the CSP credential.  The BCP believes this is a generous accomodation allowing RPs time to gain experience before meeting the requirments to sit for the CSP exam.  

The risk of not accepting this proposal is that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may at any time mandate that the "technician" CPT code (e.g., 96119) will require a credential.  The BCP believes it is better to be proactive in this process vs. having restrictions mandated upon our profession.  Should such a mandate be imposed, it is quite possible the credential applied will be the CSP, which would mean all psychometrists and trainees who do not have a CSP cannot obtain reimbursement for Medicare charges.  We believe this can potentially put a great number of psychometrists out of work. 

The BCP would prefer to have the CSP as the credential recognized by CMS but also realizes this would create a vacuum for novice psychometrists trying to enter the field as they would be expected to work for free for about 2 years while they try to pass the CSP exam.  This being the case the BCP continues to endorse the RP designation but only as a time-limited designation with the understanding that all RPs plan to become certified. 

The BCP is mandated to uphold the CSP credential and cannot support any designation (RP) that would negatively impact the certification for psychometrists. The BCP remains willing to work on the RP status but ONLY with the "time limitation" clause enforced.  (Should this proposal become active it would be developed under a separate organization.)

12/2009 Update:

At the end of 2009, the BCP generously removed the "time limitation" clause in favor of gaining PhD organizational support for the RP proposal.  However, since this change we have not heard anything from NAN, Div40, AACN, etc.  Untill there is a response from the PhDs the BCP is steadfast in its position that it is up to the PhDs to show support for the RP proposal.  We hope they will address this issue before CMS imposes their mandates, which we believe would be a significant blow to non-CSP psychometrists - who run the risk of job loses that will be unpresidented in our profession.  And the PhDs will not be immune because if they cannot be productive without the use of psychometrists, under the "technician" code, they too will find their positions downsized.  It is in both our best interests to be proactive and develop/support the RP.

1/18/11 Update:

Addition of an exam.

Updated Proposal 11/11/08; 12/2009 Updated Proposal (amended 5/10/10); 1/18/11 amended Proposal

Thank you.

Tom Erickson, MA, CSP, NCC, LMHC - BCP President (2007-2010) and
Mike Malek-Ahmadi, BA, CSP - NAP President (2007-2009)

♣ 5/10/10 amendment