Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 750-X-1 — Composition and Organization of the Board

750 Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.01 Membership

(1) There is created the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology to consist of eight persons who are residents of this state, who shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:

(a) One member shall be a member of the faculty of an accredited college or university in the state with the rank of assistant professor or above who is primarily engaged in teaching, research, or administration of psychology and is a psychologist licensed under this chapter.

(b) Five members shall be psychologists licensed under this chapter.

(c) One member shall be a psychological technician licensed under this chapter.

(d) One member shall be a member of the general public and an Alabama resident who is not licensed by the Board and whose spouse, if married, is not licensed by the Board.

(e) Efforts shall be made to have nominating authorities coordinate their appointments to assure board membership is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state without regard to political affiliation.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-26-21.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014 pursuant to Act No. 2013-386. Amended: Filed November 20, 2014; effective December 25, 2014. Amended: Filed July 11, 2016; effective August 25, 2016.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.02 Election Of Officers, Terms Of Office, And Duties

(1) Board members serve for terms of five years and shall not serve more than two consecutive terms of office. The terms of psychologist members are staggered so that only one new member is appointed by the Governor each year to fill the expiring term. Board members will continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and duly qualified. Two nominees to the Board for each vacant psychologist or psychological technician position are submitted by the Alabama Psychological Association’s executive council or its successor organization to the Governor the year prior to the expected vacancy. Although nominations are made at the annual meeting of the Alabama Psychological Association or its successor organization, nominees need not be members of the association. The public member will be appointed by the Governor.

(2) Newly appointed Board members shall take the constitutional oath of office and shall file same in the Governor's office prior to attending their first Board meeting. This oath shall be on file with the Secretary of State of Alabama.

(3) Officers of the Board are the chairperson and the vice chairperson. Those to serve for the upcoming year are elected (or re-elected) at the last meeting in each calendar year.

(4) Minutes are written by the administrative assistant in draft form, then edited by the chairperson. They may be reviewed by a second Board member. A final copy is then prepared for typing and distribution for approval at the next Board meeting.

(5) Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. However, the chair will, if possible, reschedule a meeting if fewer than five members are expected to be present.

(6) Whenever possible at least two Board members will review applications for licensure prior to Board meetings to determine qualifications. However, the Board as a whole must review and act upon each application.

(7) The official spokesperson for the Board is the chair or his or her designee.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-26-21.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014 pursuant to Act No. 2013-386.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.03 Filling An Unexpired Term

(1) The law sets the parameters for filling the unexpired term of psychologist members and the psychological technician member of the Board: "...other vacancies occurring in the Board shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment of the Governor from two qualified candidates for each vacancy submitted within 30 days after the vacancy occurs by the executive council of the Alabama Psychological Association or by its successor organization. Those appointments shall be made by the Governor within 30 days after the candidates' names have been submitted.” If this association or its successor organization shall fail to furnish the Governor with the list of persons eligible for appointment to the Board, the Governor shall appoint qualified members of the profession of psychology to the vacant position on the board. Board members will continue to serve until a successor has been appointed and qualified.

(2) Should a public member resign, the Board shall notify the Governor's office of the vacancy.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.; 34-26-21.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997. Amended: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014 pursuant to Act No. 2013-386.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.04 Removal Of Board Member From Office

The criteria for negligence of a Board member in his/her duties are stated in the law: "Any Board member may be removed by the Governor after notice and hearing for incompetence, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, or moral turpitude." The chairperson of the Board must contact any member who is neglecting his or her duties and inform him/her of specific concerns. If the Board member does not rectify the situation, the chairperson, with a majority vote of the Board, will ask for that individual's resignation. If the resignation is not forthcoming, the chairperson will inform the Governor of the charges. If the negligent Board member is the chairperson, the vice chairperson shall assume these responsibilities.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§13A-14-2; 34-26-1, et seq.; 34-26-21.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.05 Scheduling Of Meetings And Public Announcements

The Board will meet (as funds permit) on the second Friday of the odd-numbered months. For specially called meetings, the chair or executive officer confirms the date and location by telephone or in writing to the members and to any other individuals invited to attend. A notice may be sent to the major newspapers in the state at the discretion of the Board. Each year a list of currently licensed psychologists will be made available.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.; 34-26-21.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed November 5, 1987; April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.06 Management Of Funds

The Board of Examiners operates on funds received from the collection of renewal, application, and other fees. All fees are deposited to the order of the state treasurer and all disbursements are made by voucher for payment of expenses, supplies, dues, salaries, etc. Financial operations are in accordance with the state of Alabama procedures as set forth in the Manual of Operations for Fiscal Procedures. The board may accept grants from foundation, individuals, and institutions to carry on its functions.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-26-1, et seq.
• Filed September 21, 1982. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.07 Executive Officer

The law states "The Board may hire any assistants necessary to carry on its activities..." The Board shall employ as executive officer and/or other clerical staff, investigators, or assistants as necessary to carry on the day-to-day operations and business of the Board.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-26-21.
• Filed November 5, 1987. Amended: Filed April 5, 1990. Amended: Filed November 25, 1997; effective December 30, 1997.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 750-X-1-.08 Alabama Sunset Law

The Board shall be subject to the Alabama Sunset Law, Title 41, Chapter 20, Code of Ala. 1975, as an enumerated agency as provided in Section 41-20-3, and shall have a termination date of October 1, 2020, and every four years thereafter unless continued pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law.

History

• Author: Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-26-47.
• New Rule: Filed November 27, 2013; effective February 1, 2014 pursuant to Act No. 2013-386. Amended: Filed July 11, 2016; effective August 25, 2016.