The practice of psychology, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. (FE)

Psychology Examining Board; composition Under current law, the board is required to be composed of six members, including four licensed psychologists and two public members. Current law requires that each psychologist member represent a different specialty area within the field of psychology.

The bill eliminates the requirement that each psychologist member represent a different specialty area within the field of psychology and instead simply requires that the governor, to the extent possible, nominate psychologists to the board who represent different specialty areas within the field of psychology.

Private practice of school psychologist Under current law, no person may engage in the private practice of school psychology without a private practice school psychologist license.

The bill allows private practice school psychologists who are licensed under current law to continue to renew their licenses and engage in the private practice of school psychology. However, the bill otherwise discontinues the licensure of private practice school psychologists. The bill continues to allow the practice of school psychology in school settings without a license issued by the board by individuals credentialed by the Department of Public Instruction.

Psychology; scope of practice and licensure requirements 1. The bill revises the definition of the “practice of psychology” for purposes of the requirement that an individual obtain a psychologist license in order to engage in that practice. The bill also revises various provisions that exempt certain types of individuals from the licensure requirement and adds a number of additional exemptions.

2. The bill revises the licensure requirements that must be satisfied in order to be granted a psychologist license by the board. The changes include eliminating a prohibition on the board promulgating rules to require an internship.

3. The bill eliminates the ability of the board to deny a license based on an applicant's arrest record.

Interim license The bill requires the board to issue an interim psychologist license to an applicant who satisfies all of the requirements for a psychologist license, other than the supervised experience requirement. An interim license is valid for two years or until the individual obtains a permanent license, subject to a hardship exemption prescribed by the board by rule that could allow renewals beyond two years.

Continuing education The bill makes various changes concerning continuing education for psychologists, including requiring licensees to maintain records of compliance with continuing education requirements for at least six years.

Various other changes The bill makes various other changes to the laws governing the practice of psychology, including:

1. Allowing the board to require a licensee or applicant to submit to a psychological examination when there is reasonable cause to believe that the individual is physically or mentally incapable of engaging in the practice of psychology with reasonable skill such that he or she may endanger the safety of patients or clients.

2. Various revisions to the laws governing professional discipline of psychologists, including specifically allowing the board to take disciplinary action against a licensee who practices outside the scope of his or her training, experience, or education without appropriate supervision.