Psychology interjurisdictional compact.

Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology to license and regulate the practice of psychology. Existing law, except as specified, prohibits persons without a license under existing law from practicing psychology or representing themselves to be a psychologist in this state. Existing law requires an applicant for licensure as a psychologist to possess specified degrees, have engaged in supervised professional experience, pass an examination, and complete particular coursework or provide evidence of training. This bill would provide that the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact is approved and ratified, and would provide that the compact is an interstate compact that is intended to regulate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries. The bill would prohibit a person who is authorized by the compact to practice psychology in this state from engaging in the practice of psychology as an employee or contractor of a state or local government entity if the person does not have a license granted by the board, as prescribed. Under this bill, the compact would require this state, as a compact state, to recognize the right of a psychologist, licensed in a compact state in conformance with the compact, to practice telepsychology in other compact states in which the psychologist is not licensed, as provided in the compact. Under the bill, the compact would also require this state to recognize the right of a psychologist, licensed in a compact state in conformance with the compact, to practice temporarily in other compact states in which the psychologist is not licensed, as provided in the compact. Under the bill, the compact would require the board to appoint a commissioner to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission, a joint body with powers and responsibilities as established by the compact, including rulemaking authority, as prescribed. Under the bill, a person without a license granted under existing state law, but holding a privilege to practice under the compact, would not be prohibited from engaging in the practice of psychology or representing themselves to be a psychologist. This bill would provide that the board is required to comply with the requirements of the compact and to adopt regulations as necessary to implement the compact. The bill would specify that those requirements on the board and the compact shall not become operative until the Director of Consumer Affairs certifies that a majority of the board has voted in favor of joining the compact, and would require the director to notify the Secretary of State and the Legislative Counsel Bureau of the date of that certification.