What is a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist is an independently licensed, doctoral level specialist within the field of clinical psychology, who has expertise in brain functioning, and studies, evaluates, diagnoses, and, when appropriate, treats brain based problems with skills, behaviors, and/or emotional and social functioning.
Training and practical experience for neuropsychology includes:
- completion of a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited university that is preferably APA approved
- an internship in clinical psychology with a focus on neuropsychology
- post doctoral training in neuropsychology and
- state or provincial licensure to practice psychology or clinical neuropsychology independently.
While not required to practice at this time, clear evidence of competence to practice neuropsychology is the attainment of Board Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology- Clinical Neuropsychology/American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABPP-CN/AACN) or equivalent valid board. Board certification in Clinical Neuropsychology by ABPP/AACN guarantees that the neuropsychologist has:
- met all of the training requirements
- has been recommended by two neuropsychologist peers
- has passed a rigorous written examination covering neuroanatomy, neuropathology, neuropsychology, and clinical psychology
- has submitted two work samples that were accepted by peers, and
- has passed an oral examination that involves answering questions about the work samples, demonstrating ethical knowledge and practice, and demonstrating a strong ability to determine information and tests necessary to address a presenting problem and to use the information elicited to think critically about a case, applying knowledge of neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and neuropsychology to reach a diagnosis and recommendations.