Court Opinion

ID: 9569539
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:14:43.325425+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:03:25.370460
License: Public Domain

CARDINE, Justice,
dissenting, with whom URBIGKIT, Justice, joins.
Dr. Ronald Sellers earned a Ph.D in guidance and counselor education from the University of Wyoming in December, 1974 and was licensed as a psychologist in Illinois in November, 1978. Dr. Sellers applied for Wyoming licensing by reciprocity in July, 1983. The Wyoming Board of Psychologist Examiners (Board) kept his application under consideration for a period of two years. During that time it voted upon the application four times. Each time licensing by reciprocity was denied. Each time the Board requested more information. Each time the denial of license was for a different reason. Finally, Sellers’ application was denied in October, 1986 because the Board found that the “Illinois licensure requirements are not the substantial equivalent of Wyoming pre-requi-sites.” (Emphasis added.)
The Wyoming statutes relating to psychology, §§ 33-27-101 to 33-27-112, provide that a licensed psychologist from another state can be licensed by reciprocity in Wyoming if the licensing requirements in the other state are the “substantial equivalent” of the requirements in Wyoming. Section 33-27-108(c), W.S.1977.
The applicable Wyoming statute defines psychology as:
*129“The application and teaching of principles of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relationships as applied in, but not limited to, the following psychological techniques: Counseling and guidance, behavior modification including psychotherapeutic techniques; measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, attitudes, skills, emotions and public opinion; psychological research; teaching or lecturing; and consultation.” (Emphasis added.) Section 33-27-101(iv), W.S.1977.
The Illinois statute defines psychology as:
“The practice of psychology is defined as the application of established principles of learning, motivation, perception, thinking, and emotional relationships to problems of behavior adjustment, evaluation of persons, and group relations, by persons trained in psychology. The application of said principles includes, but is not restricted to, counseling and the use of psychological remedial measures with persons or groups having adjustment or emotional problems in the areas of work, family, school and personal relationships; measuring and testing of personality, intelligence, aptitudes, public opinion, attitudes, and skills; and the teaching of such subject matter, and the conducting of research on problems relating to human behavior.” (Emphasis added.) Ill. Rev.Stat.1977, ch. 111, par. 5304.
The Wyoming statute pertaining to licensing, § 33-27-107, W.S.1977, provides that an applicant may be licensed
“[without examination, if he has a doctoral degree from an accredited college or university based upon a program which is primarily psychological in both subject matter and the extent of training.” (Emphasis added.)
The pertinent Illinois licensing requirements, effective in 1978 when Sellers was licensed, read as follows:
“(d) Has received a doctoral degree in psychology from a college, university, or other institution approved by the Department.” (Emphasis added.) Ill.Rev.Stat. 1977, ch. 111, par. 5311.
The State of Illinois obviously determined that Sellers’ doctoral degree in guidance and counselor education fell within their statutory definition of psychology.
The Board contends that a degree in guidance and counselor education is not the same as a psychology degree because a separate degree in psychology is offered at the University of Wyoming. Further, they assert that Sellers’ course work is primarily in education and does not meet the statutory requirement of being “primarily psychological.”
The Wyoming legislature defined psychology to include “counseling and guidance.” Therefore, course work in this area should be included in the tally to determine if a program is “primarily psychological.” The Board should not have disregarded the legislative will in making its own rules.
The definitions of psychology and the licensing requirements for psychiatrists in Wyoming and Illinois statutes are almost indistinguishable — if anything, more is required for licensing in Illinois than in Wyoming. I would hold the licensing requirements of Illinois to be the “substantial equivalent” of those in Wyoming; that the Board’s denial of Dr. Sellers’ application for reciprocity was arbitrary and capricious; and that the license should be issued. I would have reversed.