CHAPTER 359
An Act to amend and reenact §54.1-3606.1 of the Code of
Virginia, relating to psychologists; continuing education requirements.
[H 2243]
Approved March 19, 2015
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §54.1-3606.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and
reenacted as follows:
§54.1-3606.1. Continuing education.
A. The Board shall promulgate regulations governing continuing
education requirements for psychologists licensed by the Board. Such regulations
shall require the completion of the equivalent of fourteen 14
hours annually in Board-approved continuing education courses for any license
renewal or reinstatement after the effective date.
B. The Board shall include in its regulations governing continuing
education requirements for licensees a provision allowing a licensee who
completes continuing education hours in excess of the hours required by
subsection A to carry up to seven hours of continuing education credit forward
to meet the requirements of subsection A for the next annual renewal cycle.
B. C. The Board shall approve criteria for
continuing education courses that are directly related to the respective
license and scope of practice of school psychology, applied psychology and
clinical psychology. Approved continuing education courses for clinical
psychologists shall emphasize, but not be limited to, the diagnosis, treatment
and care of patients with moderate and severe mental disorders. Any licensed
hospital, accredited institution of higher education, or national, state or
local health, medical, psychological or mental health association or
organization may submit applications to the Board for approval as a provider of
continuing education courses satisfying the requirements of the Board's
regulations. Approved course providers may be required to register continuing
education courses with the Board pursuant to Board regulations. Only courses
meeting criteria approved by the Board and offered by a Board-approved provider
of continuing education courses may be designated by the Board as qualifying
for continuing education course credit.
C. D. All course providers shall furnish written
certification to licensed psychologists attending and completing respective
courses, indicating the satisfactory completion of an approved continuing
education course. Each course provider shall retain records of all persons
attending and those persons satisfactorily completing such continuing education
courses for a period of four years following each course. Applicants for
renewal or reinstatement of licenses issued pursuant to this article shall
retain for a period of four years the written certification issued by any
course provider. The Board may require course providers or licensees to submit
copies of such records or certification, as it deems necessary to ensure
compliance with continuing education requirements.
D. E. The Board shall have the authority to
grant exemptions or waivers or to reduce the number of continuing education
hours required in cases of certified illness or undue hardship.
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