(b) Psychologists do not make false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements concerning (1) their training, experience, or competence; (2) their academic degrees; (3) their credentials; (4) their institutional or association affiliations; (5) their services; (6) the scientific or clinical basis for, or results or degree of success of, their services; (7) their fees; or (8) their publications or research findings.
(c) Psychologists claim degrees as credentials for their health services only if those degrees (1) were earned from a regionally accredited educational institution or (2) were the basis for psychology licensure by the state in which they practice.”
As a professional and colleague of the individual, I would be required (according to the 2002 APA Ethics Code) to first attempt to resolve the issue with the colleague directly. This is according to code 1.04 “Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations”. If this informal resolution attempt is unsuccessful, I would be required by code 1.05 to take further action appropriate to the situation. Such action might include referral to state or national committees on professional ethics, to state licensing boards, or to the appropriate institutional authorities (APA, 2002).
The state of North Carolina imposes a requirement for a supervisee to report a supervisor to the North Carolina Psychology Board if they believe the supervisor has behaved in such a manner that indicates the supervisor committed an ethical or legal violation (North Carolina Psychology Practice Act, 2002). There is no requirement explicitly worded in the Act regarding the responsibility of reporting or addressing an issue with colleagues or other psychology professionals. However, there is another document entitled “Rules – Chapter 21, Document 54”, located on the North Carolina Psychology website, that refers individuals to the APA Code of Ethics regarding such matters. The state also provides itself a lot of leeway by mentioning under code .1608, “Ethical Violations” (NCPB, 1996):
“Publications, guidelines, policies, and statements provided by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, the National Association of School Psychologists, and other relevant professional associations and bodies may be used in interpreting the Ethical Principles of Psychologists.”
References:
American Psychological Association. (2002). APA Ethics Code. Retrieved October 22, 2003, from http://www.apa.org/ethics/homepage.html?CFID=2543467&CFTOKEN=52785536
North Carolina Psychology Practice Act. (2002). Retrieved October 22, 2003, from http://www.ncpsychologyboard.org/Office/PDFiles/pracact.pdf
North Carolina Psychology Board (NCPB). (1996). Title 21, Chapter 54: Rules. Retrieved October 22, 2003, from http://www.ncpsychologyboard.org/
