LP Program Recertification & Diagnostic Privilege

Updates on LP Program Recertification & Diagnostic Privilege |  June, 2026

Diagnostic Privilege

At the request of Assemblyman Harry Bronson NAAP participated in a Stakeholder meeting hosted on May 20^th, 2026, held by the State Education Department, regarding impediments to the Mental Health Practitioner Diagnostic Privilege (DP).  Assemblymen Bronson and Senator Samra Brouk sponsored legislation (S8081/A8193) to establish alternative education and experience pathways to obtaining diagnostic authority.  This legislation was not considered by the Legislature in 2026 legislative session which was shortened by the protracted budget negotiations and ended on June 5, 2026.

Joining SED Deputy Commissioners, program heads, counsels, State legislators, and staff members were representatives of the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Psychoanalysts.   NAAP was represented by Jennifer Harper, legislative director; Tamar Efrat, Institute Program Director and current DP candidate, and Theresa Cosgrove of Pitta Bishop. Some stakeholders were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.

The meeting included a productive exchange of the professionals’ first-hand experience with challenges of meeting of DP requirements and SED’s understanding of the issues.  Both sides expressed a sincere willingness to investigate changes that could be made initially at the regulatory level to ease the bottleneck that has resulted in the certification process, as well as potential experience pathways. The parties will continue to discuss the issues in the coming months.

LP Program Recertification

With the information from the Institute Survey on SED’s LP Program Recertification Field Memo, NAAP’s representatives were able to present the Institutes’ concerns regarding the upcoming certification process at the SED Stakeholder Meeting.   SED representatives listened as NAAP explained how the upcoming recertification process is key to a seamless LP Diagnostic Privilege program for current and future students. 

SED agreed to meet with NAAP representatives to discuss any concerns, including the field memo’s stated requirement of a graduate degree for faculty (omitting the allowance for recognition of a terminal degree or specialized competency) and “full time” faculty.  NAAP representatives explained how legislation (S10056/A10888) was introduced late in the legislative session by AM Bronson and Senator Brouk to foster conversation on this issue.

NAAP will be initiating these meetings with SED in the coming weeks.

Submitted by:

Theresa Cosgrove

Director of State Legislation

Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno LLC