QMRP

QMRP is an acronym for Qualified Mental Retardation Professional.

This term was first used in federal standards developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s for intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled (ICF/DD).

Under federal law, any person working as a QMRP is required to meet the minimum requirements outlined in "Appendix J, Survey Procedures And Interpretive Guidelines For Intermediate Care Facilities For Persons With Mental Retardation."

Appendix J (W160 through W163) requires a QMRP to have a bachelor's degree in human services or a related field of study, plus at least one year of experience working with people diagnosed as developmentally disabled. Registered nurses and physicians also qualify to serve as a QMRP.

Some states, including California, require a QMRP to be licensed to work in the state. Other states, including Texas (which has over 900 ICF/DD homes) and Alabama, do not require licensing.

In 2010, Rosa's Law changed the terminology from "Mental Retardation" to "Intellectual Disability.”

This change has prompted several states and organizations to change the designation of a QMRP to either "QDDP," meaning "Qualified Developmental Disability Professional," or "QIDP," meaning "Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional".

In December 2013, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) formally updated Appendix J to change the language used to describe developmental disabilities.

It is possible that, as facilities start to phase out or convert to other programs (such as waiver-type settings) for people with disabilities, the terms QMRP, QDDP, and QIDP may be removed completely.

There are several professional organizations for QMRPs.

The most notable organization, the National Association of QDDPs, holds annual meetings around the United States and offers a network for QMRPs to stay in contact with other QMRP groups. There are also state-level organizations that provide training and resources to QMRPs.

Some organizations have started providing consulting services including training, standards, and reports such as the Private Provider's Association of Texas, My QIDP, and the QMRP, a California-based organization.

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