Md. Code Regs. 10.36.05.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 10.36.05.04 - Competence

A. Professional Competence. A psychologist or psychology associate shall:

(1) Limit practice to the areas of competence by which proficiency has been gained through education, training, and experience;

(2) Acquire the special education and training needed to address the cultural differences of special populations;

(3) Avoid unfair discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, disability, socioeconomic status, or other basis proscribed by law;

(4) Use interventions and assessment techniques only when the psychologist or psychology associate knows that the circumstances are appropriate applications of those interventions and techniques, supported by reliability, validation, standardization, and outcome studies;

(5) Maintain competence by meeting the requirements of continuing education as set forth in COMAR 10.36.02;

(6) Engage in ongoing consultation with other psychologists, psychology associates, or relevant professionals and seek appropriate education, training, and experience, when developing competence in a new service or technique; and

(7) Document and maintain appropriate records of professional and scientific work.

B. Impaired Competence.

(1) A psychologist or psychology associate shall:

(a) Represent accurately and objectively the psychologist's or psychology associate's professional qualifications; and

(b) Seek competent professional assistance to determine whether to suspend, terminate, or limit the scope of professional or scientific activities when the psychologist or psychology associate becomes or is made aware that the psychologist's or psychology associate's competence is impaired.

(2) A psychologist or psychology associate may not:

(a) Undertake or continue a professional relationship with a client when the competence or objectivity of the psychologist or psychology associate is or could reasonably be expected to be impaired due to:

(i) Mental, emotional, physiological, pharmacological, substance abuse, or personal problems; or

(ii) The psychologist's or psychology associate's present or previous familial, social, sexual, emotional, financial, supervisory, political, administrative, or legal relationship with the client or a person associated with or related to the client; or

(b) Engage in other relationships that could limit the psychologist's or psychology associate's objectivity or create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Md. Code Regs. 10.36.05.04

Regulations .04 adopted effective November 10, 2003 (30:22 Md. R. 1582)
Regulation .04 amended effective 42:10 Md. R. 684, eff.5/25/2015