TEMPORARY LIMITED LICENSE

IN PSYCHOLOGY RENEWAL AND

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

Senate Bill 634 (proposed substitute H-3)

Sponsor:  Sen. Wayne Schmidt

House Committee:  Health Policy

Senate Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 1-16-18

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 634 would amend Part 182 (Psychology) of the Public Health Code, to create license renewal options for limited license psychologists (LLPs).

Currently, a temporary limited license in psychology (TLLP) is valid for two years and is not renewable. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs discovered in January of 2017 that licenses were being renewed in error and informed license holders in February of 2017 that all TLLPs would expire on August 31, 2017, or the expiration date on their TLLP, whichever was later. The deadline was later extended until December 31, 2017.

SB 634 would instead implement separate renewal limits for master’s- and doctoral-level LLPs to allow those individuals the time to achieve the requisite experience.

For LLPs who have received a master’s degree in psychology, beginning on December 31, 2017, a temporary license would be valid for 24 months and renewable for an additional 24-month term. (For TLLPs granted before December 31, 2017, the TLLP is eligible for one 24-month renewal.)

For LLPs enrolled in a qualifying doctoral degree program, beginning on December 31, 2017, a temporary license would be valid for 24 months and renewable for three additional 24-month terms. (For TLLPs granted before December 31, 2017, the TLLP is eligible for three 24-month renewals.)

Additionally, the bill would provide an exemption from the requirement that applicants for a limited license in psychology take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology for an applicant who meets all of the following:

·         Applies for an initial limited license before March 31, 2018.

·         Was granted a master’s degree in psychology between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2010 from a qualifying college, university, or institution.

·         Has continuously held the temporary license since initially granted by the board.

·         Has not been sanctioned by the disciplinary committee.

This examination exemption was included in House Bill 4549, which was reported from the House Health Policy Committee on September 13, 2017 and passed by the full House on October 11, 2017. A full description of the events precipitating HB 4549 is included in the House Fiscal Agency analysis of that bill:

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2017-2018/billanalysis/House/pdf/2017-HLA-4549-109B7200.pdf 

MCL 333.18223

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 634 would not have a fiscal impact on any unit of state or local government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Marcus Coffin

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.