TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY

Agency Decision

Title of Regulation: 18VAC125-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Psychology.

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

Name of Petitioner: Dr. John Wieriman.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: To require psychologists to perform standardized pre-testing and post-testing on clients and offer evaluation of counseling sessions at their termination.

Agency Decision: Request denied.

Statement of Reason for Decision: At its meeting on September 30, 2016, the first held since the close of comment, the board decided not to initiate rulemaking. While the board agrees with the principles of screening and assessment in client care, members believe that psychologists should use professional judgment in the use of testing. Research does not support the use of standardized testing as offering greater protection for the public. Members were also concerned that benefits for such testing do not appear to outweigh costs, and they were concerned about the potential for security breaches with online assessments.

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Agency Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R16-21; Filed September 30, 2016, 5:17 p.m.