§ 17-97-303 — Psychological examiners - Application - Qualifications

(a) Any person wishing to obtain the right to practice as a psychological examiner who has not heretofore been licensed to do so shall make application to the Arkansas Psychology Board through the Chair of the Arkansas Psychology Board upon a form and in the manner as shall be adopted and prescribed by the board and shall obtain from the board a license to do so. (b) (1) A candidate for a license shall furnish the board with satisfactory evidence that he or she: (A) Has a master's degree in psychology or a closely related field from an accredited educational institution recognized by the board as maintaining satisfactory standards; (B) Is competent as a psychological examiner as shown by passing examinations, written or oral, or both, as the board deems necessary; (C) Is not considered by the board to be engaged in unethical practice; (D) Has applied for a criminal background check and has not been found guilty of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any of the offenses listed in § 17-3-102 ; and (E) Has not failed an examination given by the board within the preceding six (6) months. (2) At its discretion, the board may accept satisfactory substitute training and experience in lieu of that prescribed in subdivision (b)(1) of this section. (c) The board shall apply through its rules the qualifications of supervising psychologists and the restrictions and reporting requirements of supervision so as to implement the intent of this chapter without restricting the professional integrity of the psychological examiner and psychologist or the ultimate responsibility of the supervising psychologist. (d) (1) (A) A psychological examiner licensed before December 31, 1997, shall be granted independent practice except in neuropsychological assessment, forensic psychological assessment, and projective personality assessment upon the board's receiving a letter requesting independent practice and a revised statement of intent. (B) No additional hours of clinical supervision shall be required for a license granted under subdivision (d)(1)(A) of this section. (2) A psychological examiner licensed after December 31, 1997, shall be privileged to practice independently except in neuropsychological assessment, forensic psychological assessment, and projective personality assessment, if the person: (A) Has completed a master's degree program in psychology; (B) Has completed three thousand (3,000) hours of approved clinical supervised training after making application for independent practice; and (C) Has filed a revised statement of intent with the board and has provided documentation of having received appropriate training and experience in those areas requested for independent practice. (3) A psychological examiner licensed after December 31, 2024, shall not be granted independent practice status if he or she submits an application to the board for independent practice.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 573,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 1635, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 990,§ 107, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1955, No. 129, § 6; A.S.A. 1947, § 72-1506; Acts 1993, No. 1219, § 25; 1997, No. 1317, § 10; 2001, No. 1502, § 3; 2003, No. 1482, § 10; 2007, No. 505, § 2.