Ratification of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. (FE)

2. The ability for a psychologist to obtain an E.Passport, which allows a psychologist to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology in another compact state if the psychologist satisfies certain criteria. “Telepsychology” is defined as the provision of psychological services using telecommunication technologies. The compact specifies that a home state, defined as the state where the psychologist is physically located, maintains authority over the license of any psychologist practicing into a receiving state, defined as the compact state where the client or patient is physically located, under the authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology. A psychologist practicing into a receiving state under an E.Passport is subject to the receiving state's scope of practice. The compact further provides that a psychologist may practice in a receiving state under the authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology only in the performance of the scope of practice for psychology as assigned by an appropriate state psychology regulatory authority and under circumstances specified in the compact. A receiving state may limit or revoke a psychologist's authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology in the receiving state and may take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of the receiving state's citizens. If a psychologist's license or authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology is restricted, suspended, or otherwise limited, the psychologist's E.Passport is revoked and the psychologist may not practice telepsychology in a compact state under the authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology.

3. The ability for a psychologist to obtain an interjurisdictional practice certificate (IPC), which grants temporary authorization for the psychologist to provide temporary in-person, face-to-face psychological services in another compact state for up to 30 days within a calendar year if the psychologist satisfies certain criteria. A psychologist practicing into a distant state, defined as the state where the psychologist is physically present to provide temporary in-person, face-to-face psychological services, under the temporary authorization to practice is subject to the distant state's scope of practice. A psychologist practicing into a distant state under the temporary authorization to practice is subject to the distant state's authority and law. A distant state may limit or revoke a psychologist's temporary authorization to practice in the distant state and may take any other necessary actions to protect the health and safety of the receiving state's citizens.

If a psychologist's license or temporary authorization to practice is restricted, suspended, or otherwise limited, the psychologist's IPC is revoked and the psychologist may not practice under the temporary authorization to practice.

4. The ability of member states to issue subpoenas that are enforceable in other states.

5. The creation of a coordinated database and reporting system containing licensure and disciplinary action information on psychologists to whom the compact is applicable. The compact requires all home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse actions to be reported to the commission. A member state must submit a uniform data set to the data system on all individuals to whom this compact is applicable as required by the rules of the commission.

6. Provisions regarding resolutions of disputes between the commission and member states and between member and nonmember states, including a process for termination of a state's membership in the compact if the state defaults on its obligations under the compact.

Since the compact has already been enacted by the minimum number of states required for it to become active, the compact becomes effective in this state upon enactment of the bill. The compact provides that it may be amended upon enactment of an amendment by all member states. A state may withdraw from the compact by repealing the statute authorizing the compact, but the compact provides that a withdrawal does not take effect until six months after the effective date of that repeal.