AB 1374 — Psychologists: licensure.

Summary

The Psychology Licensing Law provides for the licensure and regulation of psychologists by the Board of Psychology. The law defines the practice of psychology as rendering or offering to render, for a fee, psychological services involving the application of psychological principles and methods, including the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of psychological problems and emotional and mental disorders. The law prohibits unlicensed persons from practicing psychology, but authorizes unlicensed persons, including psychological assistants who meet certain requirements and do not provide psychological services to the public for a fee, to perform limited psychological functions. The law requires applicants for licensure to, among other things, engage in at least 2 years of supervised professional experience under the direction of a licensed psychologist and authorizes an applicant who obtains this experience in the United States to send verification of the experience directly to the board if the supervising licensed psychologist fails to submit the verification within 30 days of receiving a request from the applicant, as specified. The law requires the board to establish qualifications by regulation for supervising licensed psychologists and to review and approve applicants for the position of supervising psychologist on a case-by-case basis. The law provides that a violation of any of its provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would remove the reference to fees for services from the definition of the practice of psychology, thereby expanding that definition. The bill would further modify that definition to specify that the application of psychological principles and methods includes assessment, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and intervention to increase effective functioning of individuals, groups, and organizations. The bill would revise the above-described authorization for psychological assistants to prohibit services to the public, except as specified, without reference to a fee. The bill would revise that experience verification procedure to require a supervising licensed psychologist to submit verification of the experience to the trainee in a manner prescribed by the board, and would authorize the board to establish alternative procedures for obtaining the necessary documentation if the supervising licensed psychologist fails to provide that verification in a timely manner. The bill would make the failure to provide verification to the board upon request, absent good cause, unprofessional conduct. The bill would eliminate the requirement that the board review and approve applicants for the position of supervising psychologist on a case-by-case basis. The bill would also make technical and conforming changes. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law establishes for a patient of a psychotherapist, whether or not a party to a proceeding, the privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent another from disclosing a confidential communication between the patient and psychotherapist, as specified, and defines a psychotherapist for these purposes. This bill would include in the definition of psychotherapist a person who is registered with the Board of Psychology as a registered psychologist and who is under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or a board certified psychiatrist. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

• Chaptered 10/06/15 - Chaptered Current pdf October 06, 2015
• Enrolled 08/31/15 - Enrolled pdf August 31, 2015
• Amended 07/14/15 - Amended Senate pdf July 14, 2015
• Amended 06/11/15 - Amended Senate pdf June 11, 2015
• Amended 06/01/15 - Amended Senate pdf June 01, 2015
• Amended 04/06/15 - Amended Assembly pdf April 06, 2015
• Introduced 02/27/15 - Introduced pdf February 27, 2015
• AB1374 View text html

Action History

1. October 06, 2015

   Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 529, Statutes of 2015.

2. October 06, 2015

   Approved by the Governor.

3. September 03, 2015

   Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

4. August 27, 2015

   Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2616.).

5. August 25, 2015

   In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 27 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.

6. August 24, 2015

   Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2150.).

7. July 15, 2015

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

8. July 14, 2015

   Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

9. July 02, 2015

   Ordered to third reading.

10. July 02, 2015

    From Consent Calendar.

11. June 30, 2015

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

12. June 29, 2015

    From committee: Be placed on second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to consent calendar.

13. June 11, 2015

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

14. June 10, 2015

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 8).

15. June 01, 2015

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.

16. May 14, 2015

    Referred to Com. on B., P. & E.D.

17. April 30, 2015

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

18. April 30, 2015

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1226.)

19. April 23, 2015

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

20. April 22, 2015

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 22).

21. April 14, 2015

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

22. April 07, 2015

    Re-referred to Com. on B. & P.

23. April 06, 2015

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on B. & P. Read second time and amended.

24. March 23, 2015

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

25. March 02, 2015

    Read first time.

26. March 01, 2015

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 31.

27. February 27, 2015

    Introduced. To print.

Sponsors

• Levine · Primary

Votes

Subjects