Who Can Apply?
Psychiatrists, licensed psychologists and licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) can apply for certification.
- LCSWs may only perform forensic evaluations related to a youth's fitness to proceed.
- Psychiatrists enrolled in an ACGME-accredited residency training program may participate in evaluations requiring certification. This is only if they participate under the direct supervision and review of a psychiatrist or psychologist who has been granted full certification.
Oregon Health Authority accepts applications at any time, but will only approve applicants for full certification upon completion of:
Until these items are complete, approved applicants will have temporary certification status.
- Applicants who do not yet have redacted forensic evaluations for review may perform evaluations of those charged with crimes other than aggravated murder, murder or ballot measure 11 offenses for the purpose of generating reports to OHA for review.
- The applicant must notify OHA at the time of application that they will be doing evaluations for this purpose.
Full certification has a maximum duration of 24 months from the certification date.
Application Requirements
Submit the following:
- Completed application (form below)
- Supplement (form below)
- Proof of current Oregon license to practice
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- $250 nonrefundable application fee
- Submit three redacted competency and/or criminal responsibility forensic evaluations for review and approval.
Submit the following:
- An updated Certified Forensic Evaluator Application
- Proof of current licensure as a psychiatrist or psychologist
- $250 non-refundable application fee.
- Submission of two forensic evaluations completed within the previous 24 months.
If the applicant desires to perform criminal responsibility evaluations, at least one redacted sample shall be an evaluation of criminal responsibility.
If performing juvenile evaluations, one of these shall be a juvenile competency or Juvenile criminal responsibility evaluation.
These reports must meet or exceed standards identified by the Authority as listed in OAR 309-090-0025.
Guidelines for report submission
Applicants who do not yet have redacted forensic evaluations for review may perform evaluations of those charged with crimes other than aggravated murder, murder or ballot measure 11 offenses for the purpose of generating reports to the Authority for review. The applicant must notify the Authority at the time of application that they will be doing evaluations for this purpose.
Redacted work samples will be reviewed by the Forensic Evaluation Review Panel. This multidisciplinary panel:
- Includes psychiatrists, licensed psychologists, defense attorneys and prosecuting attorneys.
- Compares evaluations with the standards for required elements for forensic evaluations as listed in the Oregon Administrative Rules.
- Investigates complaints received by the Authority related to the content of written evaluations.
Please submit your application materials by email or fax:
For the application fee, please pay by check made out to "Oregon State Hospital." Mail the check to:
Attn: Business Office
Oregon State Hospital
2600 Center St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Conditional Certification
The court may grant a psychiatrist or licensed psychologist conditional certification if exigent circumstances exist such as:
- An out-of-state expert evaluation being sought, or
- Unusual expertise is required.
The court will notify OHA when it grants a conditional certification using the Notice of Conditional Forensic Evaluator Certification.
Conditional certification ends at the disposition of the particular case for which the conditional certification was granted.
Forms