SENATE DOCKET, NO. 693        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 186

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Joan B. Lovely

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing senior psychologist licensure.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Joan B. Lovely

Second Essex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 693        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 186

By Ms. Lovely, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 186) of Joan B. Lovely for legislation to establish senior psychologist licensure.  Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act establishing senior psychologist licensure.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 119 of Chapter 112 is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:-

The board shall, by no later than January 1, 2025, establish a senior psychologist category of licensure to facilitate the licensure of psychologists who hold a doctoral degree in psychology and have been licensed and practicing as a psychologist in another state for an extended period of time, but whose paper records of training and education may no longer be available.

The board shall, by regulation, determine the requirements for licensure as a senior psychologist.  Such requirements shall specify the regionally accredited institution granting the doctoral degree in psychology; the number of years an applicant has been licensed by one or more states or provincial psychology boards that are members of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards; the number of years the applicant has engaged in the practice of psychology immediately prior to the date of application; and the number of years prior to the date of application during which the applicant has been free from any disciplinary sanctions.

The board may include requirements for senior psychologists that are comparable to those required of other applicants, such as the requirement to take the state jurisprudence exam, provided they do not add an unreasonable or undue burden on the senior psychologist applicant.