psychologists; prescribing authority

Created new requirements for psychologists to obtain prescription licenses, including doctoral degrees, national certification in psychopharmacology, graduate education in pharmacology, supervised clinical practicum of 1,900 hours, and malpractice insurance coverage.

Established mandatory collaborative prescription agreements between prescribing psychologists and collaborating physicians, limiting physicians to a maximum of four such agreements at any time.

Set patient age restrictions prohibiting prescriptions for patients under 18 or over 65, pregnant patients, or medically complex patients as determined by the collaborating physician.

Mandated 40 hours of continuing education every two years specifically in pharmacology and psychopharmacology for prescribing psychologists.

Created referral process where complaints about prescribing psychologists are investigated by the physician's regulatory board (medical or osteopathic) with the psychologist board maintaining oversight of psychology practice issues.

Set January 1, 2027 as the start date for psychologists to apply for prescription licenses, with a two-year license validity period requiring renewal.

Added new definitions for 'prescribing psychologist', 'collaborating physician', 'collaborative prescription agreement', and 'prescription license' to clarify the new regulatory framework.