Pennsylvania Act 1997-19 — STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY - AMEND

Act text

Session of 1997

No. 1997-19

SB 415

AN ACT

Amending the act of April 25, 1986 (P.L.89, No.33), entitled "An act amending the act of March 23, 1972 (P.L.136, No.52), entitled 'An act relating to the practice of psychology, providing for licensing of psychologists, making certain acts illegal and providing penalties,' reestablishing the State Board of Psychologist Examiners as the State Board of Psychology; providing for its composition, powers and duties; changing provisions relating to the issuance of licenses and the suspension and revocation of licenses; providing for fees; providing penalties; and making repeals," further providing for the implementation of the required transition period for prospective psychologists.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 20 of the act of April 25, 1986 (P.L.89, No.33), entitled "An act amending the act of March 23, 1972 (P.L.136, No.52), entitled 'An act relating to the practice of psychology, providing for licensing of psychologists, making certain acts illegal and providing penalties,' reestablishing the State Board of Psychologist Examiners as the State Board of Psychology; providing for its composition, powers and duties; changing provisions relating to the issuance of licenses and the suspension and revocation of licenses; providing for fees; providing penalties; and making repeals," amended July 13, 1988 (P.L.508, No.88), is amended to read:

Section 20. (a) To provide a transition period for persons who had completed or were enrolled in a graduate degree program in psychology or another of the behavioral sciences as of September 30, 1986, to apply for licensure under rules in existence immediately prior to the effective date of this act, the board, until December 31, 1995, shall issue initial licenses to persons who:

(1) by December 31, 1994, submitted evidence in a manner prescribed by the board of having, as of September 30, 1986, completed or been then currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in psychology or another of the behavioral sciences; and

(2) have completed three years of supervised experience as a psychologist-in-training, 3,500 hours of which shall have been supervised by a licensed psychologist in accordance with the requirements of the board; and

(3) have fulfilled all administrative requirements of the board as of December 31, 1994, and possessed all of the other qualifications for licensure in effect at the time of the examination; and

(4) have satisfactorily passed the examination.

(b) (1) The State Board of Psychology shall offer the privilege of a second Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination, with the payment of an additional fee, to master's degree candidates who, as of December 31, 1995, had passed the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology but failed the Pennsylvania Psychology Law Examination. The reexamination shall take place within one year after the effective date of this amendatory act.

(2) The State Board of Psychology shall issue initial licenses to persons who meet the requirements of paragraph (1) and have satisfactorily passed the subsequent examination offered by the board.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 30 days.

APPROVED--The 18th day of June, A. D. 1997.

THOMAS J. RIDGE