Sponsored by:
Senator PETER J. BARNES, III
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Requires continuing education for licensed practicing psychologists.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning continuing education for psychologists and supplementing P.L.1966, c.282 (C.45:14B-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The State Board of Psychological Examiners shall require each person licensed as a practicing psychologist, as a condition for biennial license renewal pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1972, c.108 (C.45:1-7), to complete 40 credits of continuing psychology education, four credits of which shall be educational programs or topics related to domestic violence.
b. The board shall:
(1) Establish standards for continuing psychology education, including the nature of qualifying experience and amount of applicable credits for such qualifying experience, and the subject matter and content of courses of study; and
(2) Accredit education programs offering credit toward continuing psychology education requirements or recognize national or State organizations that may accredit education programs.
c. The board may, in its discretion, waive requirements for continuing education as set forth in subsection a. of this section on an individual basis for reasons of hardship such as illness or disability, retirement of license, or other good cause. A waiver shall apply only to the current biennial renewal period at the time of board issuance.
d. The board shall only approve programs that are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis.
e. Prior to license renewal, each licensee shall submit to the board proof of completion of the required number of hours of continuing psychology education.
2. This act shall take effect on the 360th day following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill requires each person licensed as a practicing psychologist, as a condition for biennial license renewal by the State Board of Psychological Examiners, to complete 40 hours of continuing education credits, four credits of which shall be educational programs or topics related to domestic violence.
Under the bill, the State Board of Psychological Examiners shall:
(1) Establish standards for continuing psychology education, including the nature of qualifying experience and amount of applicable credits for such qualifying experience, and the subject matter and content of courses of study; and
(2) Accredit education programs offering credit toward continuing psychology education requirements for psychologists or recognize national or State organizations that may accredit education programs.
The board may, in its discretion, waive requirements for continuing education on an individual basis for reasons of hardship such as illness or disability, retirement of the license, or other good cause.