18VAC125-20 Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology

REGULATIONS

Vol. 32 Iss. 2 - September 21, 2015

TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY

Chapter 20

Final Regulation

REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Psychology is claiming an exemption from Article 2 of the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4006 A 4 a of the Code of Virginia, which excludes regulations that are necessary to conform to changes in Virginia statutory law where no agency discretion is involved. The Board of Psychology will receive, consider, and respond to petitions from any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision.

Title of Regulation: 18VAC125-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology (amending 18VAC125-20-121).

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-2400 and 54.1-3606.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 21, 2015.

Agency Contact: Jaime Hoyle, Acting Executive Director, Board of Psychology, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone [phone], FAX [phone], or email [e-mail].

Summary:

Pursuant to Chapter 359 of the 2015 Acts of Assembly, the amendment authorizes a psychologist who completes continuing education hours in excess of the required 14 hours to carry up to seven hours of continuing education credit forward to meet the requirements for the next annual renewal cycle.

18VAC125-20-121. Continuing education course requirements for renewal of an active license.

A. Licensees shall be required to have completed a minimum of 14 hours of board-approved continuing education courses each year for annual licensure renewal. A minimum of 1.5 of these hours shall be in courses that emphasize the ethics, laws, and regulations governing the profession of psychology, including the standards of practice set out in 18VAC125-20-150. A licensee who completes continuing education hours in excess of the 14 hours may carry up to seven hours of continuing education credit forward to meet the requirements for the next annual renewal cycle.

B. For the purpose of this section, "course" means an organized program of study, classroom experience or similar educational experience that is directly related to the practice of psychology and is provided by a board-approved provider that meets the criteria specified in 18VAC125-20-122.

1. At least six of the required hours shall be earned in face-to-face or real-time interactive educational experiences. Real-time interactive shall include a course in which the learner has the opportunity to interact with the presenter and participants during the time of the presentation.

2. The board may approve up to four hours per renewal cycle for specific educational experiences to include:

a. Preparation for and presentation of a continuing education program, seminar, workshop or course offered by an approved provider and directly related to the practice of psychology. Hours may only be credited one time, regardless of the number of times the presentation is given, and may not be credited toward the face-to-face requirement.

b. Publication of an article or book in a recognized publication directly related to the practice of psychology. Hours may only be credited one time, regardless of the number of times the writing is published, and may not be credited toward the face-to-face requirement.

3. The board may approve up to two hours per renewal cycle for membership on a state licensing board in psychology.

C. Courses must be directly related to the scope of practice in the category of licensure held. Continuing education courses for clinical psychologists shall emphasize, but not be limited to, the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with moderate and severe mental disorders.

D. The board may grant an extension for good cause of up to one year for the completion of continuing education requirements upon written request from the licensee prior to the renewal date. Such extension shall not relieve the licensee of the continuing education requirement.

E. The board may grant an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements for one renewal cycle due to circumstances determined by the board to be beyond the control of the licensee.

VA.R. Doc. No. R16-4295; Filed August 28, 2015, 3:26 p.m.