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Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) Requirements

PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) expanded the required qualifications of persons who may serve as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) when the Federal ICF/MR regulations became effective in October 1988. DDS adopted the federal definition for QMRP in all ICF/DD, ICF/DD-H, ICF/DD-N and DD-CNC facilities. The federal criteria outdates the state regulations specified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22.

Qualified mental retardation professional means a staff who is responsible for integrating, coordinating and monitoring each client’s active treatment and who possesses:

(a) At least one year of experience working directly with persons with intellectual disabilities or other developmental disabilities.

(b) Is either a physician and surgeon, or a osteopathy physician and surgeon, a registered nurse, or a human services professional possessing at least a bachelor's degree in a human services field, including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling or psychology.

Survey Procedures and Interpretive Guidelines for ICF for Persons with Mental Retardation (W159-W180) (PDF) (Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, State Operations Manual - Appendix J)

TRANSLATION/EDUCATION EQUIVALENCY

All QMRP applicants must meet the United States education equivalency requirements. In order to ensure compliance with the Federal Regulations, the Health Facilities Program Section (HFPS) staff refers licensees to translation agencies for those applicants who received their degrees or diplomas outside of the United States. QMRP approvals will not be granted without these translation documents that confirm the applicant meets the US education equivalency requirements.

DDS does not endorse any translation agency. There are translation agencies available in the yellow pages and on the Internet.

QMRP APPROVALS

DDS must review and approve all QMRPs. Request for QMRP approvals must be submitted with your initial program plan.

Any QMRP changes made after the initial program approval need to be reviewed and approved by the HFPS staff. Submit to assigned analyst, a copy of the QMRP applicant's degree, license, or qualifying document and a copy of their resume along with the DS 1852 Application Form completed front and back.

Department of Developmental Services
Health Facilities Program Section
1600 Ninth Street, Room 320, MS 3-9
Sacramento, CA  95814
(916) 654-1965

You will receive a decision on the requested action via a signed copy of your DS 1852 Application Form. If there are any questions you will be contacted by phone, email, or fax. This signed form will serve as your approval document.