Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb560%20intr.htm&yr=2012&sesstype=RS&i=560
Timestamp: 2018-05-27 13:42:00
Document Index: 185909341

Matched Legal Cases: ['§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30', '§30']

(By Senators Foster, Edgell and Wells)
[Introduced February 10, 2012; referred to the Committee on Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on Government Organization.]
(a) It is unlawful for a person to practice or offer to practice psychology in this state without a license or permit issued under this article, or to advertise or use any title or description tending to convey the impression that the person is a psychologist or psychological practitioner or certified psychological associate unless the person is licensed or permitted under this article, and the license or permit has not expired, been suspended or revoked.
(b) It is unlawful for a certified psychological associate to represent himself or herself as a licensed psychologist or as a licensed psychological practitioner. A certified psychological associate may not employ or supervise certified psychologists, licensed psychological practitioners, or certified psychological associates.
(c) No business entity, except through a licensee or certificate holder, may render any service or engage in any activity that if rendered or engaged in by an individual, would constitute the practices licensed or certified under this article.
(d) Nothing in this article shall be construed as permitting the administering or prescribing of drugs or as infringing upon the practice of medicine and surgery.
The practice of psychology licensed and certified under this article and the West Virginia Board of Psychology are subject to this article, article one of this chapter and any rules promulgated hereunder.
(1) “Accredited institute of higher learning” means colleges or universities that are accredited by one of the six nationally recognized regional accrediting agencies, i.e., North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, or their successor associations.
(2) "Applicant" means a person making application for a license or certificate under this article.
(3) “ASPPB” means the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
(4) "Board" means the West Virginia Board of Psychology.
(5) "Business entity" means any firm, partnership, association, company, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity providing psychological services.
(6) “Certified psychological associate” means a person certified to practice psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
(7) "Client” or “patient" means a direct recipient of psychological services within the context of a professional relationship including a child, adolescent, adult couple, family group, organization, community or other populations or other entities receiving psychological services.
(8) “EPPP” means the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology.
(9)“Licensed psychologist” means a person licensed to practice psychology under this article.
(10) “Licensed psychological practitioner” means a person licensed to practice psychology under this article.
(11) "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued under this article.
(12) "Permit" or "temporary permit" means a temporary permit issued under this article.
(13) "Permittee" means any person holding a temporary permit issued pursuant to this article.
(14) "Practice of psychology" means the observation, description, analysis, evaluation, interpretation, prediction, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, on a client or patient, regardless of whether payment is received for services rendered, and as further described in section eight of this article.
(15) "Practice of school psychology" means the rendering or offering to render to an individual or to the public, regardless of whether payment is received for services rendered, school psychological services whether rendered to individuals, families, groups, systems or organizations.
(16) "Psychology" means: The science involving the principles, methods and procedures of understanding, predicting and influencing behavior; the principles pertaining to learning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions and interpersonal relationships; the methods and procedures of interviewing and counseling; the methods and procedures of psychotherapy, meaning the use of learning, conditioning methods and emotional reactions, in a professional relationship, to assist a person or persons to modify feelings, attitudes and behavior, which are intellectually, socially, physically or emotionally maladjustive or ineffectual; the constructing, administering and interpreting of tests of intelligence, special abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotions and motivation; the psychological evaluation, prevention and improvements of problems of individuals and groups; and the resolution of interpersonal and social conflicts.
(17) "School board" means a county school board, the West Virginia Department of Education, or a Regional Educational Service Agency.
(18) "School board employee" means a person who provides services for the school board and is reimbursed via a salary and benefits and who has met the educational requirements under the state law and regulations of the West Virginia Board of Education to be certified or otherwise empowered by the State Superintendent of Schools to provide school psychological services for school boards.
(19) "School board contractee" means a person who provides services for one or more school boards and is reimbursed on a per evaluation, per unit of service or some other contract basis.
(a) The Board of Examiners of Psychologists is continued. On July 1, 2012, the West Virginia Board of Examiners of Psychologists is renamed the West Virginia Board of Psychology. The members of the board in office on July 1, 2012, are removed, but are eligible to be reappointed to the board for one additional term.
(1) Four doctorate psychologists;
(2) Two masters psychologists or licensed psychological practitioners;
(3) One citizen, who may not be associated with the practice of psychology.
(c) Board members shall reflect diversity within the profession.
(d) Licensed board members shall have a valid license to practice in West Virginia of at least five years duration at the time of his or her appointment.
(f) Members of the board must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of this state for at least five years immediately preceding, his or her appointment.
(2) Establish requirements for licenses, certifications and permits;
(3) Establish procedures for submitting, approving and rejecting applications for licenses, certifications and permits;
(4) Determine the qualifications of an applicant for licenses, certifications and permits;
(5)Examine applicants and determine their eligibility for a license, certifications or permit to engage in the practice of psychology;
(6) Prepare, conduct and grade, or adopt, written and oral examinations of applicants for a license and determine the satisfactory pass points;
(8) Maintain an office, and hire, discharge, establish the job requirements and fix the compensation of full-time, part-time or contracted professional, clerical or other personnel, which may include an executive director, investigators and contracted employees, necessary to enforce this article;
(11) Determine and take disciplinary action and issue orders;
(15) Establish the continuing education requirements for all persons regulated by the board;
(16) Issue, renew, combine, deny, suspend, place on probation, revoke or reinstate licenses and permits;
(17) Establish a fee schedule;
(18) Propose rules in accordance with article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement this article; and
(19) Take all other actions necessary and proper to implement this article.
(6) Supervision requirements;
(9) Regulation of telepractice and telepractice supervision;
(10) Regulation and supervision of psychometricians;
(11) The procedures for denying, suspending, revoking, reinstating or limiting the practice of licensees, certifications and permittees;
(12) Requirements for inactive or revoked licenses, certifications and permits; and
(13) Any other rules necessary to implement this article.
(a) All fees and other moneys, except administrative fines, received by the board shall be deposited in a separate special revenue fund in the State Treasury designated, The Board of Examiners of Psychologists Fund, which is continued and renamed "The Board of Psychology Fund." The fund shall be used by the board for the administration of this article. Except as may be provided in article one of this chapter, the board retains the amount in the special revenue account from year to year. No compensation or expense incurred under this article is a charge against the General Revenue Fund.
(a) To be eligible for a license to practice psychology as a licensed psychologist, the applicant must:
(4) Pay the appropriate fee;
(5) Obtain a doctoral degree in psychology or its equivalent, as determined by the board, from an accredited institution of higher learning,;
(6) Complete two years of supervised work experience, as prescribed by legislative rule;
(7) Have passed the national EPPP examination at the doctoral level;
(8) Have passed the examinations prescribed by the board;
(10) Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude in this or any jurisdiction;
(11) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of psychology, which conviction remains unreversed; and
(12) Meet other requirements established by legislative rule by the board.
(b) A person who is licensed as a psychologist in West Virginia at the time of the effective date of this section shall be determined to have met all requirements for licensure under this article and shall be eligible for renewal of licensure as a licensed psychologist in accordance with this article.
(c) A person who is licensed to practice psychology in another jurisdiction for five years, who has not been disciplined, nor has a complaint filed against them, shall be approved for licensure.
(5) Obtain a master's degree in psychology from an accredited institution of higher learning, before July 1, 2015;
(6) Complete five years of supervised work experience, by July 1, 2020, as prescribed by legislative rule;
(7) Have passed the national EPPP examination at the ASPPB level for independent practice;
(8)Have passed the examinations prescribed by the board;
(c) This section expires July, 2015; Provided, That a person who is licensed as a psychologist in West Virginia under this section shall be determined to have met all requirements for licensure under this article and shall remain eligible for renewal of licensure as a licensed psychologist in accordance with this article.
A licensed psychologist may:
(1) Prevent, eliminate, evaluate, assess or predict symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior;
(2) Evaluate and assess or facilitate the enhancement of individual, group or organizational effectiveness, including personal effectiveness, adaptive behavior, interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, health, and individual, group or organizational performance;
(3) Assist in legal decision-making;
(4) Perform psychological test evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, cognitive, physical, or emotional abilities; skills; interests; aptitudes; and neuropsychological functioning;
(5) Perform psychoanalysis, counseling psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, cognitive therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, behavior analysis and behavior therapy;
(6) Diagnosis, treat, and manage of mental and emotional disorder or disability, substance use disorders, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability;
(7) Perform psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, and remediation;
(8) Consult with other psychologists, physicians, other healthcare professionals, client or patients regarding all available treatment options, including medication, with respect to provision of care for a specific client or patient;
(9) Provide of direct services to individuals or groups for the purpose of enhancing individual and thereby organizational effectiveness, using psychological principles, methods or procedures to assess and evaluate individuals on personal characteristics for individual development or behavior change or for making decisions about the individual, such as selection; and
(10) Supervise any person or activity identified in subdivisions one through nine of this section.
§30-21-11. License to practice as an Licensed Psychological Practitioner.
(a) Effective January 1, 2015, to be eligible for a license to practice psychology as a psychological practitioner, the applicant must:
(5) Obtain a master's degree in psychology from an accredited institution of higher learning;
(6) Complete three years of supervised work experience, as prescribed by legislative rule;
(a) A licensed psychological practitioner may practice independently. A licensed psychological practitioner’s scope of practice for independent practice shall be determined upon examination for licensure. The board’s basic requirements for acceptable education and supervised work experience having been met, the individual shall identify and prove evidence in his areas of competence.
(b) A licensed psychological practitioner may petition the board to seek additional scope of practice enhancements. Specialized work in psychology is limited to the practice of those with formal training in these fields, and any licensed psychological practitioner intending to include specialized work in their scope of practice must demonstrate to the board that their education, training and supervised experience has adequately prepared them for this specialized work. In no instance will the board approve inclusion in the scope of practice of LPPs any area of professional practice that is generally recognized to require specialized doctoral or post doctoral training.
(c) An amendment to the Medicaid state plan shall be proposed before January 1, 2015 to include the title “licensed psychological practitioner” as an accepted provider.
An applicant for licensure shall obtain a certification to practice as a certified psychological associate to obtain the required experience for licensure under this article. To be eligible for a certification to practice as a certified psychological associate the applicant must:
(5) Obtain at least a masters or doctorate degree in psychology from an accredited institution of higher learning;
(6) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in section eleven, article one-a, chapter twenty-seven of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in an acknowledged substance abuse treatment and/or recovery program may be considered;
(7) Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude in this or any jurisdiction;
(8) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of psychology, which conviction remains unreversed; and
(9) Pass the national EPPP examination at the level established by ASPPB for supervised practice and meet other requirements established by legislative rule by the board.
(a) A certified psychological associate may perform certain functions within the practice of psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist under conditions established by the board.
(b) A certified psychological associate's scope of practice shall be determined upon examination for licensure. The board's basic requirements for acceptable education and supervised work experience having been met, the individual shall identify and provide evidence of his or her areas of competence under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
The following persons are exempt from licensure and certification:
(1) The activities, services, and use of title on the part of a person in the employ of the federal government;
(2) A person teaching psychology, conducting psychological research, providing consultation services to organizations or institutions, or providing expert testimony: Provided, That such activities do not involve the delivery or supervision of direct psychological services to individuals or groups;
(3) A person authorized under any other provision of chapter thirty from rendering services consistent with the laws regulating his or her professional practice and the ethics of their profession.
(4) A student, intern, or resident in psychology, pursuing a course of study approved by the department of psychology of an educational institution rated acceptable by the board for qualifying training and experience, provided such activities are recognized by transcript as a part of his or her supervised course of study;
(5) The recognized educational activities of teachers in accredited public and private schools, the authorized duties of guidance counselors who are certified by the State Board of Education, or the activities of persons using psychological techniques in business and industrial organizations for employment placement, promotion, or job adjustment of their own officers and employees;
(6) Clergy carrying out his or her responsibilities while functioning in a ministerial capacity within a recognized religious organization serving the spiritual needs of its constituency, if he or she does not hold himself or herself out as a psychologist; and
(7) A licensed psychologist who has no regular place of practice in this state and who engages in the practice of psychology in this state for a period of not more than ten days in any calendar year.
(8) A person practicing school psychology as school board employee or school board contract employee.
(a) A license to practice psychology shall be valid for a period of two years from the date issued and may be renewed for a period of two years without examination upon application for renewal on a form prescribed by the board and payment to the board of renewal fees to be set by the board by legislative rule.
(b) A certification to practice psychology shall be valid for a period of three years from the date issued and may be renewed for a period of three years without examination upon application for renewal on a form prescribed by the board and payment to the board of a renewal fees to be set by the board by legislative rule.
(c) The board shall charge a fee for each renewal of a license and certification and may charge a late fee for any renewal not paid by the due date.
(d) The board shall require as a condition of renewal that each licensee or certificate holder complete continuing education.
(e) The board may deny an application for renewal for any reason which would justify the denial of an original application for a license or certification.
(a) If a license is not renewed when due, then the board shall automatically place the licensee on delinquent status. A licensee on delinquent status may not practice in this state.
(a) A licensee who does not want to continue an active practice shall submit an application and any applicable fee to the board to be granted inactive status.
(b) Once granted inactive status, a person is not subject to the payment of any fee and may not practice in this state.
(c) When the person wants to return to practice, the person shall submit an application for renewal along with all applicable fees as set by rule.
(d) When inactive status has been of more than 5 years duration, during which time the individual has not been practicing as a licensed psychologist in any board recognized jurisdiction, an oral examination shall be required prior to reactivation of the license.
(a) Upon proper application, the board may issue until examination at the next available board meeting a temporary permit to engage in the practice of psychology in this state to an applicant of good moral character who meets this article and who holds a valid license to practice psychology in another jurisdiction, if the applicant demonstrates that he or she:
(1) Holds a license or other authorization to practice psychology in another state which requirements are substantially equivalent to those required in this state. The board may enter into agreements for reciprocal licensing with other jurisdictions having substantially similar requirements for licensure;
(2) Does not have charges pending against his or her license or other authorization to practice, and has never had a license or other authorization to practice revoked or otherwise sanctioned;
(5) Has passed the EPPP or other examination prescribed by the board; and
(b) The board shall interview and examine an applicant for licensing under this section. If the permittee fails to pass the examination, the temporary permit expires immediately.
(c) An applicant under this section may only be issued one temporary permit. Upon the expiration of a temporary permit, a person may not practice psychology until he or she is licensed under this article. In no event may a permittee practice on a temporary permit beyond a period of 180 consecutive days.
(d) This section does not apply to a licensed psychologist.
(a) The board shall prescribe the form for a license, certification and permit, and may issue a duplicate license, certification or permit upon payment of a fee.
(b) Any person regulated by the article shall conspicuously display his or her license, certification or permit at his or her principal place of practice.
(a) A licensee may not disclose any information provided by a client or from persons consulting the licensee in a professional capacity, except that which may be voluntarily disclosed under the following circumstances:
(4) When a communication reveals the intended commission of a crime or harmful act and such disclosure is judged necessary by the psychologist to protect any person from a clear, imminent risk of serious mental or physical harm or injury, or to forestall a serious threat to the public safety; or
(c) Any person having access to records or anyone who participates in providing services or who, in providing any human services, is supervised by a licensee, is similarly bound to regard all information and communications as privileged in accord with the section.
(d) Nothing shall be construed to prohibit a licensee from testifying in court hearings concerning matters of adoption, child abuse, child neglect or other matters pertaining to children, elderly, and physically and mentally impaired adults, except as prohibited under the applicable state and federal laws.
(a) If the board obtains information that a person has engaged in, is engaging in or is about to engage in any act which constitutes or will constitute a violation of this article, the rules promulgated pursuant to this article, or a final order or decision of the board, it may issue a notice to the person to cease and desist in engaging in the act and/or apply to the circuit court in the county of the alleged violation for an order enjoining the act.
§30-21-24. Complaints; investigations; due process procedure; grounds for disciplinary action.
(a) The board may upon its own motion based on credible information, and shall upon the written complaint of a person, cause an investigation to be made to determine whether grounds exist for disciplinary action under this article or the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(c) After reviewing any information obtained through an investigation, the board shall determine if probable cause exists that the licensee, certificate holder or permittee has violated subsection (g) of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to this article.
(d) Upon a finding that probable cause exists that the licensee, certificate holder or permittee has violated subsection (g) of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to this article, the board may enter into a consent decree or hold a hearing for the suspension or revocation of the license, certificate holder or permit or the imposition of sanctions against the licensee, certificate holder or permittee. Any hearing shall be held in accordance with this article.
(e) The board president or its administrator may issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum to obtain testimony and documents to aid in the investigation of allegations against any person regulated by the article.
(f) The board president or its administrator may sign a consent decree or other legal document on behalf of the board.
(g) The board may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, deny or refuse to renew, suspend, restrict or revoke the license, certification or permit of, or impose probationary conditions upon or take disciplinary action against, any licensee, certificate holder, or permittee for any of the following reasons once a violation has been proven by a preponderance of the evidence:
(1) Obtaining a license, certification or permit by fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts;
(2) Being convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude in this or any jurisdiction;
(3) Committing unprofessional conduct which placed the public at risk;
(6) Exceeding their scope of practice of psychology;
(7) Engaging in false and deceptive advertising;
(8) Aiding or abetting unlicensed practice; or
(9) Engaging in an act while acting in a professional capacity which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare or safety of the public.
(7) Requiring the licensee, certificate holder or permittee to report to the board for periodic interviews for a specified period of time; or
(8) Other corrective action deemed necessary and appropriate
(i) In addition to any other sanction imposed, the board may require a licensee, certificate holder or permittee to pay the costs of the proceedings.
(j) The board may temporarily suspend a license, certification or permit without a hearing while instituting proceedings for a hearing under this section if the board possesses evidence that the psychologist's continuation in practice may constitute an immediate danger to the public.
(k) A licensee or certificate holder may surrender his or her license or certification or permit when such person is charged with unethical conduct and upon receipt of that charge the licensee or certificate holder decides to surrender the license or certification. The surrender and acceptance by the board shall constitute acknowledgment by the licensee or certificate holder of guilt as charged and is considered a public and reportable disciplinary action. Such surrender shall not rescind the jurisdiction of the board to proceed to formal adjudication of the matter.
(l) The board shall also suspend or revoke any license, certification or temporary permit if it finds the existence of any grounds that would justify the denial of an application for such license, certification or temporary permit if application were then being made for it.
(b) The board may conduct the hearing or elect to have an administrative law judge who is a licensed attorney in the State of West Virginia conduct the hearing.
(e) If, after a hearing, the board determines the licensee, certificate holder or permittee has violated this article or the board's rules, a formal written decision shall be prepared which contains findings of fact, conclusions of law and a specific description of the disciplinary actions imposed.
A licensee, certificate holder or permittee adversely affected by a decision of the board entered after a hearing may obtain judicial review of the decision in accordance with section four, article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, and may appeal any ruling resulting from judicial review in accordance with article six, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
(a) When, as a result of an investigation under this article or otherwise, the board has reason to believe that a licensee, certificate holder or permittee has committed a criminal offense under this article, the board shall bring its information to the attention of an appropriate law-enforcement official.
(b) A person violating this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $5,000 or confined in jail not more than six months, or both fined and confined.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to rewrite the article concerning the practice of psychology. The bill prohibits the practice of psychology without a license. The bill provides other applicable sections. The bill defines terms. The bill continues and renames board. The bill provides for board composition, appointments, qualifications, terms of office, filling of vacancies and holding meetings. The bill provides for compensation and reimbursement for board members. The bill sets forth the powers and duties of the board. The bill clarifies rule-making authority. The bill continues a special revenue account. The bill establishes license and certification requirements. The bill sets forth scopes of practices. The bill provides for licensure for persons licensed in another state. The bill establishes renewal requirements. The bill establishes delinquent, expired and inactive license requirements. The bill provides temporary permit requirements. The bill requires license to be displayed. The bill provides for privileged communications and exceptions. The bill provides the board may issue notices to cease and desist. The bill provides that circuit courts may issue injunctions. The bill sets forth grounds for disciplinary actions. The bill allows for specific disciplinary actions. The bill provides procedures for the investigation of complaints. The bill provides for judicial review and appeals of decisions. The bill sets forth hearing and notice requirements. The bill provides for civil causes of action. The bill and provides for criminal penalties.
§30-21-1, §30-21-2, §30-21-3, §30-21-4, §30-21-5, §30-21-6, §30-21-7, §30-21-8, §30-21-9, §30-21-10, §30-21-11, §30-21-12, §30-21-13, §30-21-14 and §30-21-17 have been completely rewritten; therefore, strike -throughs and underscoring have been omitted.
§30-21-16, §30-21-18, §30-21-19, §30-21-20, §30-21-21, §30-21-22, §30-21-23, §30-21-24, §30-21-25, §30-21-26, §30-21-2 and §30-21-28 are new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.