1. A. To be considered competent to conduct child custody evaluations, a psychologist shall have education, training, experience, or supervision in the following areas:

   1. (1) Child and adult development and psychopathology;
   2. (2) Family dynamics and psychopathology, including the impact of divorce;

   3. (3) Maryland law governing:

      1. (a) Divorce;
      2. (b) Child custody proceedings;
      3. (c) Child abuse and neglect; and
      4. (d) Family violence; and

   4. (4) Performing psychological assessments of:

      1. (a) Children;
      2. (b) Adults; and
      3. (c) Families.

2. B. A psychologist conducting a child custody evaluation shall have competence to effectively address common issues that may arise in conducting child custody evaluations such as:

   1. (1) Age;
   2. (2) Disability;
   3. (3) Ethnicity;
   4. (4) Gender;
   5. (5) Gender identity;
   6. (6) Language;
   7. (7) National origin;
   8. (8) Race;
   9. (9) Religion;
   10. (10) Culture;
   11. (11) Sexual orientation; and
   12. (12) Socioeconomic status.
3. C. A psychologist shall have an awareness of the literature relevant to conducting child custody evaluations.

Authority: Health Occupations Article, §18-206, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: August 22, 2011 (38:17 Md. R. 1013)