Table 3.

Foundational competencies unique to clinical neuropsychology but common across functional domains

Cluster/Foundational Domain	Competency encompassed by domain
Scientific Knowledge and Methods	The clinical neuropsychologist: Demonstrates knowledge of the clinical and cognitive neurosciences, including neurology, neuroanatomy, neurobiology, neuropathology, brain development, and neurophysiology.
	Maintains currency with key scientific developments in fields related to practice.
	Demonstrates and applies knowledge of scientific and scholarly developments in clinical neuropsychology.
Evidence-Based Practice	Understands key signs and symptoms of disease processes relevant to practice and how patient characteristics (e.g., demographic factors, comorbidities) affect their expression.
	Understands age-related changes in brain functioning and behavior across the lifespan.
	Understands the scientific basis for assessment strategy, including test selection, use of appropriate normative standards, psychometric and operating characteristics, and test limitations.
	Understands patterns of incidence, prevalence (i.e., base-rate), and natural course of conditions of interest in neuropsychology
	Appreciates decision-making strategies and their applications in differential diagnosis.
	Knows the scientific basis for diagnostic conclusions across a range of neuropsychological disorders.
	Incorporates and uses outcome research in neuropsychology in guiding assessments and formulating interventions, integrating patient and contextual factors.
	Applies key components of evidence-based practice (i.e., best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient characteristics/culture/values) in selecting appropriate assessment and intervention approaches.
	Applies information technology to assess and evaluate best evidence to guide practice.
Individual and Cultural Diversity	Integrates knowledge of diversity issues in neuropsychological assessment, research, treatment, and consultation (e.g. health disparities, language differences, educational level, cultural context, literacy, individual differences).
	Understands and appreciates how cultural, linguistic, disability, and other demographic/socioeconomic factors affect the process and outcomes of neuropsychological assessments and the application of normative data and interpretations in specific populations.
Ethical, Legal Standards and Policy	Applies ethical concepts across a range of settings; demonstrates awareness of legal issues relevant to the professional activities of clinical neuropsychologists across settings, including healthcare, research, school, military/veteran, industry, and forensic (e.g., criminal, personal injury, disability determination, fitness for duty, etc.).
	Understands specific ethical and legal issues that are relevant to neuropsychologist’s activities across settings, including informed consent, third party assessments, use of technicians/psychometrists, third party observers, disclosure of neuropsychological test data, and test security.
Professional Identity	Demonstrates professional identity as a clinical neuropsychologist; understands the unique contributions of neuropsychology to different educational, healthcare, and forensic/legal contexts.
	Demonstrates awareness of the roles of clinical neuropsychologists, and how those roles vary across settings (e.g., practice, research, training, etc.) and assessment/intervention contexts.
Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self-Care	Engages in reflective self-assessment regarding the dynamic knowledge base and skill sets necessary for practice in clinical neuropsychology across practice settings with the goal of improving skill level over time; understands limits of competence in particular populations or settings and seeks to lessen their impact through continuing education, peer supervision/consultation, or additional training as needed.
Relationships	Maintains effective and productive relationships with patients, families, caregivers, colleagues, team members, trainees/students, and communities across complex interprofessional settings.
	Communicates clearly and effectively through both oral and written means, integrating and explaining neuropsychological concepts and interpretations in a manner best suited to particular audience (e.g., other professionals, patients, families, and caregivers).
Interdisciplinary Systems	Demonstrates knowledge of key issues and concepts in related disciplines (e.g., neurology, psychiatry, neuroradiology, rehabilitation, education) the ability to communicate and interact knowledgeably with professionals across these disciplines.
	Understands the roles of other professionals with regard to patient care and integrates the perspectives of related disciplines into their case conceptualizations.
	Makes appropriate referrals to other health professionals as part of treatment planning.
	Is able to work as a member of interprofessional teams and collaborate with other professionals to contribute neuropsychological information to overall team diagnostic formulation, planning, and intervention.