JIMGS

Journal for International Medical Graduates

Volume 08 (01) August 8th, 2024

Article

American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code and

California Laws and Licensing Requirements to
be a Psychologist
Hassaan Tohid
Journal for International Medical Graduates

Abstract Enforceable Standards

The APA Ethics Code includes standards that address:
In this short article, I will cover the summary of the
American Psychological Association (APA) ethics code • Resolving Ethical Issues: Guidelines on how to
and the licensing requirements to become a avoid potential ethical violations.
psychologist in the state of California for international
medical graduates (IMGs) planning to be licensed in • Competence: Emphasizes the importance of high
California. Each state can have different requirements, standards of competence for
so IMGs should refer to their respective state psychologists (Fisher, 2022).
psychology boards for specific licensing requirements.
• Human Relations: Addresses the importance of
Keywords avoiding harm, managing conflicts of
interest, and obtaining informed consent (Fisher, 2022).
Psychology, psychologist, APA,
licensing, doctor, IMGS1- APA Ethics Code Summary: • Privacy and Confidentiality: Highlights the
importance of maintaining client privacy
The American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics and confidentiality (Fisher, 2022).
Code provides rules and • Advertising and Other Public Statements:
standards for psychologists to practice. The following Ensures truthful public communications.
are the principles addressed by APA:
• Record Keeping and Fees: Emphasizes accurate
General Principles record-keeping and appropriate fee
management (Fisher, 2022).
1. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence: According to
the APA Ethics Code, psychologists • Education and Training: Ensures the provision of
should benefit their clients (beneficence) and avoid quality education and training for
harming them in any way psychologists (American Psychological Association,
(nonmaleficence) (American Psychological Association, 2017).
2017; Fisher, 2022).
• Research and Publication: Requires psychologists
2. Fidelity and Responsibility: Relationship of trust to engage in ethical research
and professional standards of conduct practices.
must be maintained by every psychologist (American
Psychological Association, 2017; • Assessment: Requires psychologists to conduct
Fisher, 2022). assessments based on current standards
and evidence-based knowledge (American
3. Integrity: Psychologists must demonstrate honesty Psychological Association, 2017).
and truthfulness in all aspects of their
work (Fisher, 2022). • Therapy: Emphasizes the provision of ethical and
competent therapy services (American
4. Justice: Fairness and justice are essential elements Psychological Association, 2017).
of psychologists' work (Fisher, 2022).
2- California Laws and Licensing Requirements:
5. Respect for People's Rights and Dignity:
Psychologists must respect people's rights, Licensing Requirements
including the rights to privacy, confidentiality, and self-
determination (American • Educational Requirements: Completion of a
Psychological Association, 2017; Fisher, 2022). doctorate degree in psychology (PhD or

Journal for International Medical Graduates. 2024.

JIMGS
Journal for International Medical Graduates
Volume 08 (01) August 8th, 2024

Article

PsyD) from an accredited institution is necessary to References

become a clinical psychologist in
California (California Board of Psychology, 2022). American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical
principles of psychologists and code of
• Supervised Experience: Prospective psychologists conduct. Retrieved from
must complete 3,000 hours or more https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index
of supervised work under a licensed clinical psychologist California Board of Psychology. (2022). Laws and
(some hours are pre-doctoral, regulations. Retrieved from
some post-doctoral) (California Board of Psychology, https://www.psychology.ca.gov/laws_regs/2022lawsre
2022). gs.pdf
Fisher, C. B. (2022). Decoding the ethics code: A
• Examinations: Passage of the Professional Practice practical guide for psychologists (5th ed.).
in Psychology (EPPP) and the SAGE. ISBN: 978-1544362717.
California Psychology Law and Ethics Examination
(CPLEE) is mandatory (California
Board of Psychology, 2022).

Continuing Education
Licensed psychologists in California must complete 36
hours of continuing education
every couple of years, including ethics and law courses
(California Board of Psychology, 2022).

Legal Considerations

• Confidentiality: Psychologists must maintain

confidentiality of their clients' information,
except in cases of suspected danger, abuse, neglect, or
court orders to breach
confidentiality (California Board of Psychology, 2022).

• Mandated Reporting: Psychologists are required to

report suspected cases of child
abuse, elder abuse, and dependent adult abuse
(California Board of Psychology, 2022).

• Informed Consent: Psychologists must obtain

informed consent from clients, detailing
the purpose, type of therapy, limits of confidentiality,
and associated risks (California
Board of Psychology, 2022).

Conclusion:

The APA Ethics Code outlines ethical practices and

standards, emphasizing principles
such as beneficence, integrity, and justice. California's
educational and licensing requirements
for psychologists include supervised experience,
examinations, and continuing education to
obtain licensure.

American Psychological Association (APA) Ethics Code

and California Laws and Licensing Requirements to be
a Psychologist

Hassaan Tohid
Department of Psychology
California Southern University
[email protected]

Journal for International Medical Graduates. 2024.