Dr. Thomas’s path to becoming an HSPP Psychologist in Indiana.
I have added some information from Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) site, solely for informational purposes. The attached information should be considered a sketch of the requirements as I experienced them. For complete and up-to-date information please go to this link.
To become a licensed Psychologist in Indiana you must apply through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) apply online.
Education Requirements:
Earn a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology from a regionally accredited or government-chartered institution – typically 4 years of graduate school
Dr. Thomas’s, Ph.D. from Indiana University-Bloomington
Clinical Psychology Program. The University is regionally accredited and the doctoral clinical psychology program was accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)
Complete an APA approved, minimum 1,500-hour doctoral internship – typically a paid 40 hour work week – as part of your degree program.
Dr. Thomas completed his year of internship at Edward Hines. V.A. Medical Center – Across from Loyola University Medical School – Hines, Illinois ( Chicago west suburb) This program was accredited by APA. I lived on hospital grounds. In my training I had several clinical rotations: 1, Rehabilitation Medicine, 2, Chemical Dependency Treatment, 3, Spinal Cord Injury, 4, General Medical- Surgery Psychological Consultation and Neuropsychology.
Pass the EPPP (National Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology): Pass Part 1 of the national competency exam administered by the ASPPB.
Dr.Thomas took the EPPP and receive a passing score and received the HSPP credential in 1984. This was shortly after HSPP became available in Indiana. Before that I held the Private Practice license. This credential allowed me to practice as a fully accepted medical expert for federal administrative law judges in Social Security Disability appeals hearings where experts are subject to cross exam from attorney representatives.
Pass the Indiana Jurisprudence Exam
At the time I received my HSPP credential the Jurisprudence exam also involved meeting with board members.
Independent Practice (HSPP Endorsement)
To independently diagnose and treat mental health disorders in clinical settings or private practice, you must also obtain a Health Service Provider in Psychology (HSPP) endorsement.
Complete 1,600 post-internship supervised professional hours in a mental health setting over a minimum of 12 months – that Includes needed face-face supervision
I completed two years of supervised practice in the Indiana Department of Correction – Reception-Diagnostic Center while holding the Basic license – my first Professional employment.
Pay fees and submit your application and official transcripts through the MyLicense.IN.gov online portal.
Criminal background check
Renewal of license by meeting Continuing Education Requirement.
Once fully licensed:
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Renew license every two years.
(Renewal of license requires attestation (documentation) of 40 hours of continuing education of which Psychologists with an HSPP endorsement must complete 40 hours of continuing education of which 6 must be in ethics with no less than 3 category I ethics. A minimum of twenty (20) credit hours must be earned in category I courses. No more than twenty (20) credit hours will be granted for category II activities)Category I: Formal Education Formally organized continuing education programs-20 hours of Category I credit out of the 40 total hours required per At least 3 of your 6 required ethics hours must come from Category I courses. Category II: Professional & Unsupervised Activities – Professional learning activities that are peer-reviewed, collaborative, or self-directed, such as journal clubs, case conferences designed for teaching/training, colloquia, in-house seminars, relevant scientific meeting programs, and professional supervision – You are allowed a maximum of 20)
Dr. Thomas’s Professional Career:
Indiana Department of Correction
Indiana Division of Mental Health
Fort Wayne State Hospital-Developmental Center
New Castle State Hospital Developmental Center. I served on Executive Council, Hunan Rights Committee and was Diector of Professional (licensed) Services
Medical Advisor to Federal Administrative Law Judges ( over 30 years) Medical Expert in Criminal and Civil cases
Assistant Visiting Professor – Psychology & Brain Sciences – Bloomington
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ball State University
Professor Martin University and Director of Clinical Development (30 years)
CEO, Non-Diet Diet Program- Behavioral weigh Control
CEO, Anyonecanachieve.com
Hospital Advisory Boards: Bloomington Hospital and Midtown Mental Health – Wishard Hospital now Eskenazi Hospital
Chair of Midtown Mental Health Advisory Board 5-years, Board President 2-years
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If you are considering preparing for a career as an HSPP Psychologist in Indiana please visit the following link for more information