Title of Regulation: 18VAC125-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology (amending 18VAC125-20-121, 18VAC125-20-122).

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

Effective Date: September 2, 2009.

Agency Contact: Evelyn B. Brown, Executive Director, Board of Psychology, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4697, FAX (804) 327-4435, or email evelyn.brown@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments to the requirements for continuing education for psychologists licensed by the Board of Psychology (i) reduce the number of continuing education hours that must be gained face to face, (ii) include real-time interactive hours as face to face, (iii) recognize the educational value in preparation for presentations or publication, (iv) expand the listing of approved providers, and (v) eliminate the process and fee for board approval of individual courses and providers.

One change from the proposed regulation clarifies that the preparation for a continuing education program, seminar, workshop, or course could be counted toward meeting the CE requirement for the presenter with a limit of four hours per renewal cycle.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: A summary of comments made by the public and the agency's response may be obtained from the promulgating agency or viewed at the office of the Registrar of Regulations.

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

A. After January 1, 2004, licensees 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, standards of practice or laws governing the profession of psychology in Virginia.

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 half 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. [ Presentation 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.

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.

18VAC125-20-122. Continuing education providers.

A. The following organizations, associations or institutions are recognized approved by the board as providers of to provide continuing education:

1. Any board-approved psychological association recognized by the profession or providers approved by such an association.

2. Any board-approved association or organization of mental health, health or psychoeducational providers recognized by the profession or providers approved by such an association or organization.

3. Any board-approved association or organization providing courses related to forensic psychology recognized by the profession or providers approved by such an association or organization.

4. Any regionally accredited institution of higher learning. A maximum of 14 hours will be accepted for each academic course directly related to the practice of psychology.

5. Any governmental agency or facility that offers mental health, health or psychoeducational services.

6. Any licensed hospital or facility that offers mental health, health or psychoeducational services.

7. Any association or organization that has been approved as a continuing competency provider by a psychology board in another state or jurisdiction.

B. Course providers not listed in subsection A of this section may apply for approval by the board as continuing education providers.

1. To be considered for board approval, a continuing education provider shall submit:

a. Documentation of an instructional plan for continuing education courses that are primarily psychological in nature with systematized instruction provided by licensed psychologists or other licensed mental health service providers; and

b. The provider review fee set forth under 18VAC125-20-30.

2. Board approval of continuing education providers under this subsection shall expire two years from the date of issuance, and may be renewed upon submission of documentation and provider review fee as required by the board.

C. B. Continuing education providers approved under subsection A or B of this section shall:

1. Maintain documentation of the course titles and objectives and of licensee attendance and completion of courses for a period of four years.

2. Monitor attendance at classroom or similar face-to-face educational experiences.

3. Provide a certificate of completion for licensees who successfully complete a course.

[ FORMS (18VAC125-20)

Instructions for Virginia Board of Psychology Application for Licensure by Examination (rev. 10/03).

Instructions for Virginia Board of Psychology Application of Licensure by Endorsement (rev. 10/03).

Psychologist Application for Licensure by Examination, Form 1 (rev. 8/07).

Application for Licensure as a School Psychologist-Limited (rev. 8/07).

Employment Verification Form (rev. 8/07).

Registration of Residency -- Post-Graduate Degree Supervised Experience, Form 2 (rev. 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Licensure by Endorsement, Form 1 (rev. 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License, PSYREIN (rev. 8/07).

School Psychologist-Limited Application for Reinstatement of a Lapsed License, PSYREIN (rev. 8/07).

Psychologist Application for Reinstatement Following Disciplinary Action, PSYREDISC (rev. 8/07).

Verification of Post-Degree Supervision, Form 3 (rev. 8/07).

Internship Verification, Form 4 (rev. 8/07).

Licensure/Certification Verification, Form 5 (rev. 8/07).

Areas of Graduate Study, Form 6 (rev. 8/07).

Application for Approval as a "Paragraph B" Continuing Education Provider (rev. 8/07).

Continuing Education Audit Summary Form (rev. 8/07) 4/09). ]