CEU Information

Every licensed psychologist practicing with his or her New York State license must complete the required acceptable formal continuing education in order to register, except in the first registration period after initial licensure. As a practicing licensed psychologist, you are required to complete 36 hours of acceptable formal continuing education during each three-year registration period. However, during the initial phase-in period, starting January 1, 2021, the number of hours necessary will be pro-rated at the rate of one hour per month for each month of the registration period.

If you are returning to practice as a licensed psychologist in New York State, you may have to complete pro-rated hours of continuing education. This calculation will depend on whether or not you were practicing the psychology profession in New York State and/or another state before you apply to re-register in New York State.

To be acceptable the courses must be administered:

• by a Department-approved provider; and
• in an approved subject area (see Question 25 for a listing of approved subject areas)

Also, continuing education hours may be earned by:

• Preparing and teaching a course offered by a Department-approved provider of psychology continuing education on or after January 1, 2021, provided that the course being taught has not been presented on more than one occasion without presenting new or revised material;
• preparing and teaching a course, acceptable to the Department, at a higher education institution or a psychotherapy institute, as defined in section 72.6(a)(2) and (3) of the Commissioner’s Regulations, relating to the practice of psychology on or after January 1, 2021, provided that the course has not been taught by the licensee on more than one occasion without presenting new or revised material;
• making a technical presentation at a professional conference sponsored by an organization that is a Department-approved provider of psychology continuing education on or after January 1, 2021, provided that the presentation has not been offered on more than one occasion without presenting new or revised material;
• completing a self-study program on or after January 1, 2021, offered by a Department-approved provider, provided that self-study hours do not comprise more than twelve hours in any three-year registration period or one-third of the hours for a registration period other than three years;
• authoring a first-time article in the practice of psychology published in a peer-reviewed journal or a chapter in a published book, on or after January 1, 2021;
• authoring a first-time book in the practice of licensed psychology, on or after January 1, 2021;
• completing independent study, defined as individualized professional study that is self-initiated, goal-driven learning based on reading and research, on or after January 1, 2021 provided that no more than one-third of the continuing education hours in any period may be independent study;
• and completing a mentorship, as either a mentor or mentee as defined in law and regulations, on or after January 1, 2021 provided that no more than one-half of the required continuing education hours in any period may be completed in a mentorship.

The law requires that each licensee completes a minimum of 3 hours of coursework in professional ethics, including the laws, rules and regulations for practice in New York State in any 36-month period. Providers who offer acceptable courses in this subject area are indicated on the list of approved providers on our website. Otherwise, it is your responsibility to complete coursework in subjects that improve your knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of psychology as defined in Education Law section 7601-a or other activities defined as acceptable activities, as listed in Question 21. This provides you with the flexibility to meet your education needs in your current position or for a future position. For instance, a licensed psychologist who engages in practice with the aging could take courses in his or her area of practice, such as theories of aging, the effect of dementia on families and spouses, and access to dementia services for culturally diverse clients.