SPECIALTY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Geropsychology

ABGERO requirements specific to specialization in Geropsychology consist of:

Eligibility criteria specific to the specialization in Geropsychology include the following requirements:

• Evidence of two courses/seminars relevant to Geropsychology at the doctoral, internship, or post-doctoral levels OR
• At least 100 hours of documented formal CE coursework relevant to Geropsychology (as deemed acceptable by ABGERO) over a period of no longer than seven years

Formal training in Geropsychology: One year of formal, full-time supervised training in Geropsychology or its equivalent (2000 hours) as determined by the ABGERO:

• One year full-time Geropsychology fellowship
• An internship and post-doctoral fellowship with Geropsychology hours that total 2,000 or more
• An externship/practicum and internship with Geropsychology hours that total 2,000 or more     OR 

Informal training in Geropsychology: Documented, supervised training in Geropsychology that totals 3,000 hours or more:

• Internship rotation and informal, supervised training with Geropsychology hours that total 3,000 or more
• Externship/practicum in Geropsychology and informal supervised training with Geropsychology hours that total 3,000 or more
• For the latter post-licensure supervision requirement to be met, there should be a minimum of 1/hr./wk of supervision/consultation conducted by a Geropsychology competent licensed psychologist (as deemed competent by the ABGERO via a review of the supervisors’ CV)

Self-identity as a geropsychologist with at least two years of full-time post-licensure employment (or its part-time equivalent) as a psychologist, with at least one year devoted to professional services to older adults. Such services may include direct independent provision of clinical services (e.g., being in private practice or employed by a geriatric consulting group doing assessment/treatment of older adults); teaching/in service education/supervision of students or geriatric mental health professionals (e.g., teaching gerontological courses in a university; consultation with a long term care institution regarding residents with behavior problems); administrative duties in a geriatric organization (e.g., director of an institute of gerontology; executive leadership within a gerontological organization); conducting applied gerontological mental health  research; or other geriatric mental health services as deemed acceptable by the board.