TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 21. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS

Chapter 463. APPLICATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS

22 TAC §463.9

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §463.9 Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. The amendments are being proposed in order to correct wording which was omitted when this rule was re-organized during rule review.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to make the rule easier for the general public and licensees to follow and understand. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kourtney D. McDonald, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

The proposed amendments do not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§463.9.Licensed Specialist in School Psychology.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

Training Qualifications. Candidates for licensure as a specialist in school psychology who hold a currently valid National Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) certification or who have graduated from a training program approved by the National Association of School Psychologists or accredited in School Psychology by the American Psychological Association will be considered to have met the training and internship qualifications. All other applicants must have completed a graduate degree in psychology from a regionally accredited academic institution, no more than 12 of which may be internship hours. All 60 hours do not have to be obtained prior to the conferral of the graduate degree and the applicant need not be formally enrolled in a psychology program to obtain graduate hours after the degree date. For purposes of this rule, a graduate degree in psychology means the name of the candidate's major or program of studies must be titled psychology. These applicants must submit evidence of graduate level coursework as follows:

(1) - (7)

(No change.)

(c) - (f)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 5, 2001.

TRD-200101982

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7700


22 TAC §463.11

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes an amendment to §463.11, Licensed Psychologist. The amendments are being proposed to update requirements, consistent with current licensing procedures and consistent with Attorney General Ruling.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to make the rule easier for the general public and licensees to follow and understand. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kourtney D. McDonald, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

The proposed amendment does not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§463.11.Licensed Psychologist.

(a)

Application Requirements by Provisional Licensure. This application is provided free of charge to the applicant who has taken the oral examination. Upon passage of the oral examination, the applicant may submit the licensed psychologist application. An application for licensure as a psychologist includes, in addition to the requirements set forth in §463.5(1) of this title (relating to Application File Requirements):

(1)-(2)

(No change.)

(3)

Documentation of two years of supervised experience from a licensed psychologist which satisfies the requirements of the Board. The formal year must be documented by the Director of Internship Training.

(b)

(No change.)

(c)

Supervised Experience. In order to qualify for licensure, a psychologist must submit proof of two years of supervised experience, at least one year of which must have been received after the doctoral degree was officially conferred or completed, whichever is earliest, as shown on the official transcript, and at least one year of which must have been a formal internship. The formal internship year may be met either before or after the doctoral degree is conferred or completed. Supervised experience must be obtained in a minimum of two, and no more than three, calendar years, for full-time experience.

(1)

General. All supervised experience for licensure as a psychologist, including the formal internship, must meet the following requirements:

(A)-(K)

(No change.)

(L)

All supervised experience obtained for the purpose of licensure must be conducted in accordance with all applicable Board rules in effect during the supervision experience [ regardless of setting ].

(M)

(No change.)

(N)

The supervisee shall be designated by a title that clearly indicates a supervisory licensing status such as "intern," "resident," "trainee," or "fellow." An individual who is a provisionally licensed psychologist may use this title so long as those receiving psychological services are clearly informed that the individual is under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Use of a different job title is permitted only if the supervisee is providing services for a government facility or other facility exempted under §501.004 of the Act (Applicability) and the supervisee is using a title assigned by that facility.

(O)

(No change.)

(2)

Formal Internship. At least one year of experience must be satisfied by one of the following types of formal internship:

(A)

(No change.)

(B)

The successful completion of an organized internship meeting all of the following criteria:

(i)-(ii)

(No change.)

(iii)

The internship agency must have two or more full-time [ equivalent ] licensed psychologists on the staff as primary supervisors.

(iv)-(ix)

(No change.)

[(x)

The internship level psychology trainees must have titles such as "intern", "resident", "fellow", or other designation of trainee status.]

(x)

[ (xi) ] The internship agency must inform prospective interns about [ have a written statement or brochure which describes ] the goals and content of the internship, as well as the [ stated clear ] expectations for quantity and quality of trainee's work [ and must be made available to prospective interns ]; or

(C)

The successful completion of an organized internship program in a school district meeting the following criteria:

(i)-(viii)

(No change.)

(ix)

The internship site shall inform interns concerning [ The internship must be memorialized by a written contractual agreement specifying ] the period of the internship and the training objectives of the program.

(x)-(xiii)

(No change.)

(3)

(No change.)

(d)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 5, 2001.

TRD-200101988

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7700


22 TAC §463.14

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §463.14 Written Examinations. The amendments are being proposed in order to change the passing rate on the Jurisprudence Examination from 70% to 90% to accommodate the conversion of this exam to open-book format.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to make the rules easier for the general public and licensees to follow and understand. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kourtney D. McDonald, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

The proposed amendments do not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§463.14.Written Examinations.

(a)

Jurisprudence Examination. All applicants for licensure by the Board are required to pass the Jurisprudence Examination prior to licensure. [ Applications for licensure by reciprocity may take the Jurisprudence Examination at times mutually agreed upon between them and the Board's office. All other applicants must take the examination at the times regularly scheduled by the Board. ]

(b)-(e)

(No change.)

(f)

Cutoff Scores. The minimum acceptable score for the EPPP is seventy percent (70%) of questions scored for psychologist licensure applicants and fifty-five percents (55%) of questions scored for psychological associate licensure applicants on the pencil and paper version of the test. For computer-delivered EPPP examinations, the cutoff scaled scores are 500 and 450 respectively. All applicants, both doctoral and masters level, must receive a minimum score of ninety [ seventy ] percent (90%) [ (70%) ] of questions scored on the Board's Jurisprudence Examination. The exam score of applicants for licensure who have already taken the EPPP must satisfy the requirements of the Board as of the date of application to the Board.

(g)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 5, 2001.

TRD-200101981

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7700


Chapter 465. RULES OF PRACTICE

22 TAC §465.6

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.6 Listings, Public Statements, Solicitations, and Specialty Titles. The amendments are being proposed in order to address changing practices within the profession.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to make the rules easier for the general public and licensees to follow and understand. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kourtney D. McDonald, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

The proposed amendments do not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§465.6. Listings, Public Statements and Advertisements, Solicitations, and Specialty Titles.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

Public Statements and Advertisements.

(1)

(No change.)

[ (2)

A licensee's authorization of or use in any advertising or listing for the practice of psychology of the term "Board Certified" or "Board Approved" or any similar words or phrases calculated to convey the same meaning shall constitute misleading or deceptive advertising, unless the licensee discloses the complete name of the specialty board which conferred the aforementioned certification. A licensee may not use the term "Board Certified" or "Board Approved" or any similar words or phrase calculated to convey the same meaning if the claimed board certification has expired and has not been removed at the time the advertising in question was published or broadcast.]

(2)

[ (3) ]Licensees who learn of false or deceptive statements about their practices of psychology or their status as providers of psychological services make reasonable efforts to correct such statements.

(c)

Solicitation of Testimonials and/or Patients.

(1)-(2)

(No change.)

(d)

Specialty Titles. A psychologist may use a specialty title only when one of the following criteria have been met:

(1)

Doctorate in the area of specialization;

[ (2)

Diplomat status in that area from the American Board of Professional Psychology;]

(2)

[ (3) ]Retraining under the American Psychological Association retraining guidelines of 1977;

(3)

[ (4) ]Documentation that the title has been used for five years and documentation of academic course work and relevant applied experience, if an individual was matriculated in a doctoral program in psychology in 1977 or before;

[ (5)

Certificate of proficiency from the American Psychological Association's College of Professional Psychology.]

(4)

Certification or approval or diplomat status has been granted by a professional refereed board, provided that the licensee indicates the name of the board which granted the title and that the individual's status with the specialty board is current and in good standing. Use of the term "Board Certified" or "Board Approved" or any similar words or phrases calculated to convey the same meaning shall constitute misleading or deceptive advertising, unless the licensee discloses the complete name of the specialty board that conferred the aforementioned specialty title, certification, approval, or diplomat status.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 5, 2001.

TRD-200101983

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7700


22 TAC §465.38

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §465.38 Psychological Services in Schools. The amendments are being proposed in order to clarify contracting allowed by non-LSSPs in the public schools.

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to make the rule easier for the general public and licensees to follow and understand. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kourtney D. McDonald, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

The proposed amendments do not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§465.38.Psychological Services in the Schools.

This rule acknowledges the unique difference in the delivery of school psychological services in the public schools from psychological services in the private sector. The Board recognizes the purview of the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency in safeguarding the rights of public school children in Texas. The mandated multidisciplinary team decision making, hierarchy of supervision, regulatory provisions, and past traditions of school psychological service delivery both nationally and in Texas, among other factors, allow for rules of practice in the public schools which reflect these occupational distinctions from the private practice of psychology.

(1)

Definition.

(A)

(No change.)

(B)

A licensed specialist in school psychology means a person who is trained to address psychological and behavioral problems manifested in and associated with educational systems by utilizing psychological concepts and methods in programs or actions which attempt to improve the learning, adjustment and behavior of students [ including the assessment of emotional or behavioral disturbance, for educational purposes, using psychological techniques and procedures ]. Such activities include, but are not limited to, addressing special education eligibility, conducting manifestation determinations, and assisting with the development and implementation of individual educational programs.

(C)

(No change.)

(2)

(No change.)

(3)

Providers of School Psychological Services. School psychological services may be provided in Texas public schools only by individuals authorized by this Board to provide such services. Individuals who may provide such school psychological services include licensed specialists in school psychology, and interns or trainees as defined in §463.9 of this title (relating to Licensed Specialist in School Psychology). Nothing in this rule prohibits public schools from contracting with [ retaining ] licensed psychologists and licensed psychological associates who are not licensed specialists in school psychology to provide psychological services, other than school psychology, in their areas of competency. School districts may contract for specific types of psychological services, such as clinical psychology, counseling psychology, neuropsychology, and family therapy, which are not within the competency of or which are not readily available from the licensed specialists in school psychology employed by the school district. Such contracting must be on a short term or part time basis and cannot involve the broad range of school psychological services listed in paragraph (1) (B) of this section.

(4) - (7)

(No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 5, 2001.

TRD-200101984

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7700


Chapter 470. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

22 TAC §470.21

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists proposes amendments to §470.21 Disciplinary Guidelines. The amendments are being proposed in order to assign specific disciplinary actions for certain violations

Sherry L. Lee, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Ms. Lee also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to make the rules easier for the general public and licensees to follow and understand. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kourtney D. McDonald, Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-450, Austin, Texas 78701, (512) 305-7700.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle I, Chapter 501, which provides the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists with the authority to make all rules, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this State, which are reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and regulations of proceedings before it.

The proposed amendments do not affect other statutes, articles, or codes.

§470.21.Disciplinary Guidelines.

(a) - (b)

(No change.)

(c)

Revocation. The Board shall revoke the license of any licensee if the Board determines that the continued practice of psychology by the licensee poses a harm to the public. Licensees who violate the following Board rules shall be subject to revocation without reference to subsections (e) through (i) of this section:

(1)

465.13(b)(3) and (b)(6) pertaining to certain forms of sexual impropriety with current patients;

(2)

465.33(d) as it pertains to sexual relations, defined in 465.33(c), with current patients; and

(3)

469.7(d)(5), (d)(8), and (d)(10) pertaining to certain felony convictions and judgments.

(d)

The rules enumerated above are not intended to be exhaustive. The Board may recommend revocation for licensees who violate one or more Board rules that are not listed above.

(e)

[ (d) ] Disciplinary Sanctions. If the Board does not revoke the license of a licensee as part of a disciplinary matter, it may impose the following disciplinary sanctions which are listed in descending order of severity:

(1)

Suspension for a definite period of time;

(2)

Suspension plus probation of any or all of the suspension period;

(3)

Probation of the license for a definite period of time;

(4)

Reprimand for a definite period of time.

(f)

[ (e) ] Additional conditions. As terms of any sanction imposed by the Board upon a licensee pursuant to a disciplinary matter the Board may, at its discretion, impose any additional conditions and/or restrictions upon the license of the licensee that the Board deems necessary to facilitate the rehabilitation and education of the licensee and to protect the public, including but not limited to:

(1)

Consultation with the licensee on matters of ethics rules, laws and standards of practice by a licensed psychologist approved by the Board;

(2)

Restrictions on the licensee's ability to provide certain types of psychological services or to provide psychological services to certain classes of patients;

(3)

Restrictions on the licensee's supervision of others in the practice of psychology;

(4)

Completion of a specified number of continuing education hours on specified topics approved in advance by the Board in addition to any minimum number required of all licensees as a condition of licensure;

(5)

Taking and passing with the minimum required score of any examination required by the Board of a licensee;

(6)

Undergoing a psychological and/or medical evaluation by a qualified professional approved in advance by the Board and undergoing any treatment recommended pursuant to the evaluation;

(7)

Writing a research paper on a specific topic;

(8)

Any other condition reasonably related to the rehabilitation and education of the licensee.

(g)

[ (f) ] The length of the sanction period shall be determined by the Board taking into account the time reasonably required to complete the required terms and conditions set forth in the order imposing the sanction.

(h)

[ (g) ] Aggravation. The following may be considered as aggravating factors so as to merit more severe or restrictive sanction or action by the Board:

(1)

Patient harm and the type and severity thereof;

(2)

Economic harm to any individual or entity and the severity thereof;

(3)

Increased potential for harm to the public;

(4)

Attempted concealment of misconduct;

(5)

Premeditated conduct;

(6)

Intentional misconduct;

(7)

Prior written warnings or written admonishments from any supervisor or governmental agency or official regarding statutes or regulations pertaining to the licensee's practice of psychology;

(8)

Prior misconduct of a similar or related nature;

(9)

Disciplinary history;

(10)

Likelihood of future misconduct of a similar nature;

(11)

Violation of a Board order;

(12)

Failure to implement remedial measures to correct or alleviate harm arising from the misconduct;

(13)

Lack of rehabilitative potential;

(14)

Motive; and,

(15)

Any relevant circumstances or facts increasing the seriousness of the misconduct.

(i)

[ (h) ] Extenuation and Mitigation. The absence of the circumstances listed as subsection (g)(1)-(10) of this section, as well as the presence of the following factors, may be considered as extenuating and mitigating factors so as to merit less severe or less restrictive sanctions or actions by the Board:

(1)

Self-reported and voluntary admissions of misconduct;

(2)

Implementation of remedial measures to correct or mitigate harm arising from the misconduct;

(3)

Motive;

(4)

Rehabilitative potential;

(5)

Prior community service;

(6)

Relevant facts and circumstances reducing the seriousness of the misconduct; and,

(7)

Relevant facts and circumstances lessening responsibility for the misconduct.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on April 5, 2001.

TRD-200101985

Sherry L. Lee

Executive Director

Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 20, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7700