NY Educ L § 7607 (2021)
2021 New York Laws EDN - Education Title 8 - The Professions Article 153 - Psychology 7607 - Mandatory Continuing Education.

§  7607.  Mandatory  continuing  education.  1.  (a) Each psychologist required under this article to register triennially with the  department to  practice  in  this  state,  shall  comply  with  the  provisions for mandatory continuing education prescribed in  subdivision  two  of  this section,  except  as  set  forth  in  paragraphs  (b)  and  (c)  of this subdivision. Psychologists who do not satisfy the  mandatory  continuing education  requirements  shall  not  practice  until  they have met such requirements and they  have  been  issued  a  registration  certificate, except  that  a  psychologist  may  practice  without  having  met  such requirements  if  he  or  she  is  issued  a  conditional   registration certificate pursuant to subdivision three of this section.  (b)  Each  psychologist  shall be exempt from the mandatory continuing education requirements for  the  triennial  registration  period  during which  they  are  first  licensed. In accordance with the intent of this section, adjustment to the mandatory  continuing  education  requirement may  be  granted  by  the  department  for  reasons  of  health that are certified by an  appropriate  health  care  professional,  for  extended active  duty  with  the  armed forces of the United States, or for other good cause acceptable to the department which may prevent compliance.  (c) A psychologist not engaged  in  practice,  as  determined  by  the department,  shall  be  exempt  from  the mandatory continuing education requirement upon the filing of a statement with the department declaring such status. Any licensee who returns  to  the  practice  of  psychology during  the  triennial  registration  period shall notify the department prior to reentering  the  profession  and  shall  meet  such  continuing education  requirements  as  shall  be  prescribed by regulations of the commissioner.   2.  During  each  triennial  registration  period,  an  applicant  for registration  as  a  psychologist shall complete a minimum of thirty-six hours of acceptable learning activities, a minimum  of  three  hours  of which shall be course work in the area of professional ethics, including the   laws,  rules  and  regulations  for  practice  in  New  York.  Any psychologist whose first registration date following the effective  date of  this  section occurs less than three years from such effective date, but on or after January first, two thousand twenty-one,  shall  complete continuing  education  hours on a prorated basis at the rate of one hour per  month  for  the  period  beginning  January  first,  two   thousand twenty-one  up to the first registration date thereafter. A psychologist who has not satisfied the  mandatory  continuing  education  requirement shall  not  be  issued  a  triennial  registration  certificate  by  the department and  shall  not  practice  unless  and  until  a  conditional registration  is  issued  as  provided  for in subdivision three of this section. Continuing education hours taken during one triennium  may  not be transferred to the subsequent triennium.   3.  (a)  The  department,  in  its discretion, may issue a conditional registration  to  a  psychologist  who  fails  to  meet  the  continuing education  requirements  established in subdivision two of this section, but who agrees to make up any deficiencies and complete  any  additional education  which  the  department  may  require.  The  fee  for  such  a conditional registration shall be the same as, and in addition  to,  the fee  for  the  triennial  registration. The duration of such conditional registration shall be determined by the department, but shall not exceed one year. Any psychologist who is notified of the denial of registration for failure to submit  evidence,  satisfactory  to  the  department,  of required   continuing   education   and   who   practices  without  such registration may be subject  to  disciplinary  proceedings  pursuant  to section sixty-five hundred ten of this title.  (b) For purposes of this section:  (i) "acceptable learning activities" shall include, but not be limited to, formal courses of learning which contribute to professional practice in  psychology  and/or  self-study activities; independent study; formal mentoring activities; publication in professional journals; or lectures, which  meet the standards prescribed by regulations of the commissioner; and  (ii) "formal courses of learning" shall include, but  not  be  limited to,   collegiate  level  credit  and  non-credit  courses,  professional development programs and technical sessions offered by national,  state, and  local  professional associations and other organizations acceptable to the department, and any other  organized  educational  and  technical programs acceptable to the department. Formal courses must be taken from a sponsor approved by the department, based upon an application and fee, pursuant to the regulations of the commissioner.  (c)  The department may, in its discretion and as needed to contribute to the health and welfare of  the  public,  require  the  completion  of continuing  education  credits  in  specific  subjects  to  fulfill this mandatory continuing education requirement.  (d) Psychologists shall maintain adequate documentation of  completion of  acceptable  continuing  education  credits  and  shall  provide such documentation at the request of the department. Failure to provide  such documentation  upon  the  request  of  the department shall be an act of misconduct subject  to  disciplinary  proceedings  pursuant  to  section sixty-five hundred ten of this title.  (e)  The mandatory continuing education fee shall be determined by the department. Such fee shall be payable on or before the first day of each triennial registration period, and shall be  paid  in  addition  to  the triennial  registration  fee  required  by  subdivision eight of section seventy-six hundred three of this article.