Developing and implementing a continuing competence program for professional psychologists: A Canadian perspective

Abstract

Discusses the development of a continuing competence program for professional psychologists. Many North American jurisdictions have mandatory continuing education that involves collecting continuing education hours in a determined period of time. The College of Alberta Psychologists chose to develop and implement a continuing competence program that operates independent of credit hours. Psychologists engage in a self-determined and self-directed learning plan. The philosophical and theoretical assumptions behind such a program are presented, in contrast to other models of continuing education. Issues of professionalism and competence and the effect this program’s philosophy have had on the profession are discussed. Member feedback and participation data is presented as well as a discussion of the internal politics and external pressures the emerged during this development process.