Board clarifies CPD credit rules for in-person, hybrid meetings and closed sessions

Board staff explained how continuing professional development (CPD) credit is awarded for attendance at California Board of Psychology meetings, and board members discussed steps to improve public communication about CPD rules.

Staff told the board that CPD hours can be credited only to individuals who are physically present when a meeting is listed as 'in person.' For meetings listed as Webex or hybrid where remote attendees have interactive capability, those attendees can receive CPD credit, staff said. "Since the meeting is an in person meeting, CPD hours can only be credited to individuals who are in person with us today," a staff member said at the start of the meeting.

Board and staff discussed the way meeting duration translates to CPD hours. Staff explained that when a meeting lasts less than three hours, CPD is awarded hour-for-hour; when open-session meeting time passes the three-hour threshold, the day is credited at a flat six hours. Staff also cited a per-renewal-cycle limit: attendees may count a maximum of eight hours of meeting attendance toward CPD in a renewal cycle. Several board members and attendees raised concerns about patrons who travel long distances expecting a full-day credit and then finding closed sessions reduce credited hours.

Board members asked for clearer pre-meeting communications. Staff agreed to add clearer language to agendas and the board's website, publish guidance in the newsletter and post notices on social media (Facebook, X and LinkedIn) to explain when remote attendees may receive credit and how closed sessions affect hours. One board member suggested the chair could rearrange the agenda to place more open-session items on a Friday when more attendees travel in; staff noted there are trade-offs because longer meeting days could create late travel home for volunteers and members.

Board members also raised testing and licensing concerns unrelated to CPD: requests for future agenda items included an update when the American Psychological Association's updated ethics code is adopted and information from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) on the EPPP2 exam and its technical preparation. The board agreed to solicit such updates at future meetings.

No formal rule changes were adopted at the meeting; staff said regulatory changes would be required to alter hour-counting rules and that the board would work internally and with legal staff to clarify agenda language and communications.