Bill Text: NJ S2582 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Revises psychologist training requirements.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-10-29 - Substituted by A543 (1R) [S2582 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-S2582-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Revises psychologist training requirements.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act revising psychologist training requirements and amending P.L.1966, c.282.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 17 of P.L.1966, c.282 (C.45:14B-17) is amended to read as follows:
17. Any person applying to the board, after January 1, 1968, may be admitted to an assembled examination if [he] the applicant meets the qualifications set forth in [section 14(a), (b) and (c)] subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 14 of P.L.1966, c.282 (C.45:14B-14) and provides evidence satisfactory to the board that [he] the applicant:
(a) Has received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in psychology from a recognized educational institution, or in lieu of [such] that degree, a doctoral degree in a closely allied field if it is the opinion of the board that the training required therefor is substantially similar, or has otherwise had training in psychology deemed equivalent by the board;
(b) Has engaged for the equivalent of at least [2] two years full time, at least [1] one year of which was subsequent to [his] the applicant receiving the doctoral degree, in professional [employment] experience in the practice of psychology under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or of one clearly eligible for licensure in the opinion of the board, which [employment] experience the board deems sufficient to warrant its opinion that the applicant is competent to engage in the practice of psychology as a licensed psychologist, subject to [his] the applicant satisfying the other requirements for [such] that license specified in [this act] P.L.1966, c.282 (C.45:14B-1 et seq.). In the case of a person applying to the board after October 1, 2020, or six months after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), whichever is sooner, the two years of full time professional experience required by this subsection, or any portion thereof, may be completed prior to the applicant receiving a doctoral degree. An applicant who has applied to the board, but who is not yet licensed by the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), may update the application to apply professional experience earned prior to the applicant receiving a doctoral degree to the professional experience requirement.
(c) The New Jersey Board of Psychological Examiners shall promulgate regulations to implement the changes in the experience requirements of subsection (b) of this section effected by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
(cf: P.L.1966, c.282, s.17)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The bill updates the training requirements for psychologists. Current law states that two years of professional employment is required of an applicant to qualify for licensure from the State Board of Psychological Examiners (the "board"). Under the bill, the term "employment" is changed to "experience" to account for professional opportunities that may not have entailed employment.
Current law also requires at least one year of the professional employment to be completed after receiving a doctoral degree. Under the bill, individuals applying for licensure after October 1, 2020, or six months after the effective date of the bill, whichever is sooner, may complete the required two years of full time professional experience, or any portion thereof, prior to receiving the requisite doctoral degree.
The bill also provides that an applicant who has applied to the board but is not yet licensed by the effective date of the bill may update the application for licensure with professional experience earned prior to the applicant receiving a doctoral degree.
