Current through Register Vol. XLII, No. 1, January 3, 2025
Section 17-3-21 - Psychological Assessment21.1. In accordance with W. Va. Code § 30-21-2(e) the practice of psychology includes psychological testing which includes the administration and interpretation of tests of intelligence, special abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotions, and motivation. The intent of this regulation is to provide a definition of psychological testing sufficient to allow this Board to regulate effectively this aspect of psychological practice. The ability to administer and interpret psychological testing requires formal academic training at the graduate level in statistics, test construction, sampling theory, tests and measurement, individual differences, and personality theory. In addition, the interpretation of psychological tests for diagnostic purposes requires formal academic training in the areas of abnormal psychology, psychopathology, mental health differential diagnosis, and in the case of neuropsychological assessment, training in neuropsychology. In addition to formal academic training at the graduate level, competent administration and interpretation of psychological tests also requires formal supervised practice experience.21.2. "Psychological Testing" means the use of one or more standardized measurement instruments, devices, or procedures including the use of computerized psychological tests, to observe or record human behavior, and which require the application of appropriate normative data for interpretation or classification and includes the use of standardized instruments for the purpose of the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders and disabilities, the evaluation or assessment of cognitive and intellectual abilities, personality and emotional states and traits, and neuropsychological functioning.21.3. "Psychological Tests" means: individually administered tests for the evaluation of cognitive and intellectual abilities, examples of which are the current versions of The Wechsler Series; The Stanford-Binet; and The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children.21.3.a. Objective tests of personality, psychopathology, and emotional states and traits, which include but are not limited to: the current versions of The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory; The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory; The Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory and Personality Assessment Inventory.21.3.b. Projective techniques, which include but are not limited to: The Rorschach Ink Blots; Thematic Apperception Test; and The Holtzman Ink Blots.21.3.c. Individual tests of neuropsychological functioning, which include but are not limited to: The Halstead-Reitan Battery (original and expanded); The Luria-Nebraska Battery (original and expanded); The Lezak Battery or Kaplan Battery; and the current version of the NEPSY.21.4. In accordance with W. Va. Code § 30-21-3 services described as "Psychological Testing" in 21.2. of this legislative rule shall only be provided by persons licensed or credentialed by this board. "Psychological Tests" described in 21.3. et seq of this legislative rule shall only be administered and interpreted by persons licensed or credentialed by this Board or psychologists who meet the formal academic training and experience qualifications described above and who are otherwise exempt by statute (e.g. § 30-21-2.)21.5. Licensed Psychologists as well as other licensed or certified professionals may also use tests of language, education and achievement, as well as tests of abilities, interests, and aptitudes. With the exception of the test categories and psychological tests listed in 21.3. et seq of this legislative rule, the use of these other tests is not exclusively within the scope of this legislative regulation. These tests may also be used by other licensed or certified professionals. However, test categories and psychological tests listed in 21.2. and 21.3. et seq of this legislative rule shall only be used by persons credentialed by this Board.21.6. Members of other professions may not train or supervise any person in theperformance of psychological testing as defined in sections 21.2. and 21.3. et seq of this rule.21.7. Current versions of psychological tests must be used no later than 18 months after their dates of publication. Licensed psychologists may not use tests that are obsolete and not useful for the current purpose unless there is appropriate clinical justification for using outdated tests.