Continuing education in diversity and multicultural factors: Current state psychology board requirements and a call to action

• Published in: Clinical neuropsychologist Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 812 - 820
• Main Authors: Ng, Rowena, Pudumjee, Shehroo B., Arastu, Sana F., Chen, Julia, Do, Cardinal, Hong, Yue, Lanza-Gregory, Jody, Miao, Iris, Nguyen, Ashley, Wong, Christina G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 19-05-2023
• Subjects: advocacy; continuing education; Cultural Competency; Cultural Diversity; cultural humility; diversity; Education, Continuing; Humans; Multiculturalism; Neuropsychological Tests; Neuropsychology; Multiculturalism; cultural humility; diversity; continuing education; advocacy
• ISSN: 1385-4046; 1744-4144
• DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2160378

Objective: A growing body of literature shows the unequivocal importance of incorporating diversity-related factors into the practice of clinical neuropsychology. Thus, it is imperative that we continue to seek and obtain updated training and knowledge on how culture and diversity intersect with our clinical roles throughout our careers, not merely to satisfy initial coursework requirements. Although most professional organizations pertaining to clinical psychology - and thereby neuropsychology - strongly encourage the pursuit of training in diversity-related factors, explicit requirements for such training across one's career are minimal. Method: The Asian Neuropsychological Association Advocacy Committee reviewed continuing education (CE) requirements for all US states. Results: We found that only 8 states mandated CE credits pertaining to diversity-related factors for the renewal of licensure. Discussion: Given how inseparable cultural competence is from any aspect of clinical work (and the harm that can be done if culture is not considered), it is essential that our field shift from aspirational guidance to firm requirements with regard to cultural competence and diversity-related training in psychology. Requiring CE units devoted to diversity-related factors represents one avenue to pursue this goal. This commentary outlines the current status of diversity-related CE for psychology licensure renewal and offers future directions for incorporating such training as a part of continuing professional development and education.