PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSING S.B. 880:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 880 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Vincent Gregory
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 182 (Psychology) of the Public Health Code to revise the criteria for the doctoral degree program required for licensure as a psychologist. Specifically, the bill would do the following:
-- Delay from August 31, 2015, until August 31, 2020, the deadline by which a doctoral degree program must achieve National Register designation or accreditation in order for an individual holding a degree from the program to be licensed.
-- Include any program approved by the Michigan Board of Psychology among the doctoral degree programs that qualify an individual for licensure.
The Code requires the Board to promulgate rules requiring an individual to meet both of the following requirements in order to be licensed under Part 182:
-- Have been granted a doctoral degree in psychology or a closely related field from a regionally accredited or other college, university, or institution approved by the Board.
-- Have at least one year of postdoctoral experience in the practice of psychology in an organized health care setting or other arrangement, as established by the Board.
Beginning August 1, 2011, the doctoral degree must be from a program that has obtained the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards' National Register designation, has been accredited by the American Psychological Association or the Canadian Psychological Association, or has obtained a similar designation from or been accredited by an entity approved by the Michigan Board of Psychology. A program that was in the process of obtaining the designation or becoming accredited before August 1, 2011, and that obtains the designation or becomes accredited on or before August 31, 2015, meets this requirement. The bill would extend the deadline until August 31, 2020.
Additionally, the program would have to either meet this requirement for designation or accreditation or be a doctoral degree program approved by the Board.
The bill also would require the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, in consultation with the Board, to promulgate the rules.
MCL 333.18223 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 4-25-14 Fiscal Analyst: Josh Sefton
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.