I was recently asked about the value of considering board certification in choosing a clinical neuropsychologist.  I am a little biased in providing a response because I am board certified. Why is it important in the process of considering who to call? In health care, the law provides multiple safeguards for the “consumer” of health care services.  We need to know that our healthcare provider has the credentials to provide the specific clinical service we seek. Individual states require licensure, confirming educational training and the process of ongoing continuing education for an individual to practice in their general area of practice (e.g., medicine, psychology, dentistry, physical therapy).  Do they have a degree in medicine?  A degree in psychology?  I am licensed to practice Psychology, but my license is for Psychology generally, not for any specialty area within Psychology.

Board certification is a means of documenting specialization within an area of healthcare. It demonstrates to the consumer that a clinician has completed additional specific training, acquiring a body of knowledge and experience under supervision.   If you were considering brain surgery, you would likely prefer a board certified neurosurgeon, someone with the training and experience to practice Neurosurgery, not someone with a general medical license and no additional training.

Neuropsychology is not “brain surgery”, but board certification serves a similar purpose for Clinical Neuropsychology, a specific area of clinical practice; a specific level of training, supervision, and experience is documented.  Given the rapid growth of Clinical Neuropsychology, many practitioners learned to administer tests and began practicing.  Others have received specialty training and experience, but chose to not take the time or go to the expense of completing the board certification process. 

 There are several board certification organizations available for neuropsychology.  The most widely recognized and accepted is the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), the organization that provides board certification to other specialties within the discipline of Psychology.  The most basic part of board certification in Clinical Neuropsychology is a doctoral degree in Psychology, recognized by the certification process of the American Psychological Association (APA).  The process is similar for physicians in that they obtain a general medical degree and then seek specialty training (e.g., Pediatrics, Internal Medicine).  The second step in the process is that of completing the training for the requirements of the area of specialty.  The process can be rather lengthy and demanding, involving additional coursework, completing both oral and written examinations, and demonstrating clinical knowledge under supervision.   

At the successful completion of the process, the applicant is awarded board certification in Clinical Neuropsychology, basically a certification of the training and specific clinical experience required to meet the criteria.  Unfortunately, board certification is not a guarantee of specific clinical skills, application, judgment, and quality of care. It is only a means of demonstrating the completion of the training process.  Can someone without board certification provide good clinical service?  Yes, they can. I supervised a number of who completed training but did not pursue board certification, and feel that they are very competent clinicians.  A reassurance beyond board certification is the endorsement of previous patients and their families, or others having a successful and productive experience with a clinical neuropsychologist.  Don’t be shy to ask around.