The Arkansas Psychology Board is composed of nine (9) members appointed by the Governor of the State of Arkansas to staggered terms of five (5) years. Appointments for all positions, except the Consumer Representative and the Senior Citizen Representative, will be made from a list of nominees submitted to the Governor by the Arkansas Psychological Association or the Arkansas Association of Psychological Examiners, or by other interested Arkansas licensed Psychologists or Psychological Examiners as documented by a list which has attached thereto the signatures of at least twenty (20) licensed Psychologists or Psychological Examiners. Membership of the Board will be composed of one (1) academic Psychologist engaged in full-time teaching of psychology at the graduate level at an approved institute of higher learning or holding an active faculty appointment in an American Psychological Association approved pre or post doctoral internship program;, four (4) practicing Psychologists engaged in the full-time practice of psychology with at least one (1) Psychologist engaged in the full-time, private practice of psychology, and two (2) Psychological Examiners engaged in the fulltime practice of psychology. Each Psychologist and Psychological Examiner must have been licensed to practice psychology in Arkansas for at least five (5) years immediately preceding appointment to the Board. The Consumer Representative and the Senior Citizen Representative, appointed from the general public, subject to confirmation by the Senate. (Chapter 97, Statute 17-97-210; Act 113 of 1977; Act 939 of 1979; Act 955 of 1995) who are not actively engaged in or retired from the practice of psychology shall be voting members at-large.
The Board is charged by law with regulating the practice of psychology in the State of Arkansas including, but not limited to, examining and passing upon the qualification of applicants for the practice of psychology. The major responsibility of the State Board is to insure that the people of the State of Arkansas are protected from misrepresentation, unethical practice, and/or incompetence in the practice of psychology.
The Board is charged by law with administering its duties consistent with the Act under which it was organized and authorized to regulate the practice of psychology. Consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act and in the interest of the public of the State of Arkansas, the following are the major administrative responsibilities of the Board:
Terms of each Board member shall expire on December 31 of the final year of the five (5) year term; however, these Board members shall continue to serve in full capacity until such time as the new member is appointed by the Governor and begins formal responsibilities.
Revenue generated by fees shall constitute the income of the Board.
At least one (1) regular meeting shall be held each year and additional meetings may be held as often as necessary.
Rules and Regulations shall be adopted as necessary to define the role of the Board and facilitate the performance of its duties on behalf of the people of the State of Arkansas.
A majority of members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
Assistants may be hired by the Board, as are necessary to carry on its activities.
The Board may accept grants from foundations or institutions as considered necessary by the Board to assist in the fiscal responsibility.
To prevent conflicts of interest, members of the Board may not provide professional references to applicants.
Pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-301, it is a misdemeanor for any unlicensed individual to practice or hold him/herself out to the public as being engaged in the practice of psychology. Use of any title incorporating "psychology," "Psychologist" or "psychological," or any other title that, by implication, is associated with the practice of psychology, shall be used only by licensed individuals except as provided in A.C.A. § 17-97-307. Use of title by licensed individuals shall not be done in any manner which could reasonably confuse the public as to level of licensure. Individuals who have been certified as School Psychology Specialists by the Department of Education shall use the title, School Psychology Specialist, and only that title, unless they are licensed as a Psychologist or Psychological Examiner.
Students participating in a recognized training program in the practice of psychology shall clearly show this training status with descriptive terms such as "intern" or "trainee." Without such qualifying terms, they shall not hold themselves out, by title or implication, as qualified to practice psychology. Any use of a title by students which is in violation of these Rules and Regulations and/or A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq. may result in disciplinary action by the Board. A student is defined as an individual participating in a recognized training program which has an integrated and organized sequence of graduate level course work in psychology, and whose primary identification is that of student.
The Board shall establish education, experience, and professional requirements for licensure to practice psychology. These qualifications will comply with minimum standard practices in the field of psychology and represent the minimum level of skill and experience necessary for an individual to practice psychology in the State of Arkansas.
Since A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq. is a generic licensure law and does not involve specialty licensure in the State of Arkansas, a Statement of Intent must accompany each application for licensure. This document is used by the Board to define and limit the applicant's practice of psychology to those areas in which the applicant has academic training and supervised experience, as per the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association. The Statement of Intent shall reflect the proposed application of skills and abilities in the practice of psychology, populations to be served, settings in which services will be rendered, and specific professional limitations. Independent practice privileges within each area listed on the Statement of Intent require a minimum of:
The Board's evaluation of the Statement of Intent shall ensure that the applicant has sufficient academic training, supervised experience, skills, abilities, and knowledge of the profession of psychology to practice consistent with the Statement of Intent.
The individual must have a master's degree in psychology or closely related field from an accredited educational institution that the Board recognizes as maintaining satisfactory standards. The institution must have been accredited by the region in which it provides academic training at the time the degree was granted, and the program of study must meet all of the following criteria:
Learning (theories or processes).
However, a course offered within a program which is accredited by the American Psychological Association may have features 5.3.B. (3) (d) and 5.3.B. (3) (e) and not be considered independent study by the Board.
A reference documenting successful program completion from the Director of the academic training program at the institution where the academic work and/or training were obtained.
A minimum of eighty (80) graduate semester hours (or one hundred thirty-three [133] graduate quarter hours) with a grade of B or above in the Department of Psychology. If taught in a department other than the Department of Psychology, the course work must have been taught by a qualified Psychologist. A "qualified Psychologist" is defined in Section 2.2.A. of the Rules and Regulations.
However, a course offered within a program which is accredited by the American Psychological Association may have features 5.4.E. (3) (d) and 5.4.E. (3) (e) and not be considered independent study by the Board.
An internship that is accredited by the American Psychological Association which provides training consistent with both the doctoral program of study and the Statement of Intent; or
Qualified supervision is required for those individuals who:
Are provisional licensure applicants who have been approved by the Board for the practice of psychology under qualified supervision. A provisional licensure Psychologist applicant who has held a Psychologist license in another jurisdiction for a period of 5 years is exempt.
Arrangements for professional supervision shall be the responsibility of the supervisee. The Board shall not assume responsibility for establishing supervisory relationships.
The plan shall be signed by both supervisor and supervisee.
The Identity and role of the supervisor should be clearly documented, with the supervisor's signature, in the clinical record of each person served. This is to notify users of the record that the case is being supervised and to acknowledge that the supervisor is aware of the Psychological Examiner's work in each case. (The Board does not require co-signature of progress notes; however, co-signature is one option for documenting supervision at the discretion of the supervisor.)
Licensed individuals may expand their Statement of Intent to practice psychology in the State of Arkansas through continuing education, or academic training, plus further supervised practice, or as otherwise permitted by law or regulation.
Failure of the supervisee or supervisor in the supervisory relationship to comply with these requirements and responsibilities shall be subject to Board review and possible disciplinary action pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-310.
When the Board is made aware of a violation or possible violation of Section A.C.A. § 17-97-301 or § 17-97-307, a registered letter with a return receipt requested shall be mailed to the individual in question, calling to his/her attention the pertinent aspects of the law and the Rules and Regulations of the Board. If the individual continues the verified illegal practice, the information shall be forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for legal action. Upon conviction he/she shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
Psychology students, psychological interns, and others preparing for the profession of psychology shall use titles that clearly indicate their training status such as Psychology Intern." Psychology students, psychological interns and others preparing for the profession of psychology are defined as those who are rendering services as part of their training in an integrated, organized sequence of graduate level course work.
Applicants have up to a twelve (12) month grace period to practice psychology under qualified supervision beginning with notification of provisional licensure applicant status. The grace period allows an applicant to complete the written and oral examinations and obtain licensure, while involved in supervised practice in the profession of psychology. Any applicant who does not become licensed and continues to practice psychology beyond the approved grace period, shall be notified that the practice is in violation of A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq. and may be subject to appropriate legal action.
The Board shall issue a provisional license to an applicant who has:
Individuals Licensed in Another Profession. Psychologists/Psychological Examiners may employ or utilize individuals who are licensed members of another profession to provide only activities or services permitted by the applicable license or licenses held by that individual. These services and activities may not be described or represented to the patient or client as psychological services and the individual must be clearly identified to the patient or client as a licensee of the applicable profession who is providing services pursuant to that individual's license.
. Technicians must be registered with the Board on the appropriate form(s) supplied by the Board. Registration of Technicians employed on or before August 12, 2005 shall not be subject to the academic requirements of Technicians employed after August 12, 2005 except as set forth in Section 7.7. B. (4). All Technicians shall complete a criminal background check as described for licensed Psychologists and Psychological Examiners under A.C.A. § 17-97-312. A grace period of 90 days will begin for the registration of Technicians employed and supervised by qualified supervising Psychologists as of the effective date of Act 1262 of 2005 (August 12, 2005) or the effective date of these Rules and Regulations, whichever comes later. A provisional registration will be authorized for Technicians employed on or before August 12, 2005 pending the receipt of the results of the Criminal Background Check.
Examination of applicants includes formal examination of academic, personal, and experience credentials, a written examination, and an oral interview/examination. This multilevel examination process is designed to screen applicants for the practice of psychology in the State of Arkansas so that the public is protected according to the law under which the Board functions. Furthermore, it assures that applicants for licensure in the profession of psychology meet the minimum standards for the professional practice of psychology.
Any applicant whose credentials have been approved either through formal credentials review or by the full Board, and who has paid the required examination fee, shall be admitted to the written examination. Approved applicants must present one photographic identification for admission to the examination site.
Applicants are required to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and other tests as designated by the Board. The purpose of written examination is to assess the applicant's range of knowledge of recognized psychological principles and techniques, and knowledge of the ethics of the profession of psychology. (The Board retains the right to utilize additional written examinations to allow applicants to demonstrate their range of understanding of principles, techniques, statutes, and ethical concerns which relate to the intended practice of psychology within the State of Arkansas.)
Pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-304, and to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an applicant's knowledge of the field and practice of psychology and related matters, the Board uses a formal interview and oral examination to complement the written examination.
The Board shall provide all reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities in all aspects of the application process consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
License holders must meet the following minimum continuing education requirements to renew their licenses to practice psychology in the State of Arkansas.
The continuing education requirement will be waived for individuals who have been licensed in Arkansas less than one (1) calendar year on the due date (January 31) for submission to the Board of continuing education documentation for the previous calendar year. Thus, individuals licensed in even numbered years must submit a minimum of 20 hours of CEUs for that defined biennium.
If an applicant meets all requirements for application for licensure in the State of Arkansas, the Board shall accept scores for examinations administered elsewhere if the score meets or exceeds the cut-off point for the State of Arkansas at the time of the examination. It is the responsibility of the applicant to furnish the Board, via the State Board which administered the examination or other acceptable score registration agency, the form of the written examination, statistical data for the national mean and standard deviation, and the applicant's individual score on that examination.
Currently, most other jurisdictions that have reciprocity agreements with the Arkansas Board require one year of supervised postdoctoral experience. The Board will provide record keeping and documentation of this supervised postdoctoral experience for applicants interested in applying for license to practice in other jurisdictions. An applicant for a reciprocal license must apply to the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police for a state and national criminal background check. The applicant must sign a release of information to the Board and shall be responsible to the Arkansas State Police for the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background check. An applicant for whom the information from the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police reveals that the applicant has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of, any offense listed in A.C.A. § 17-97-312(f) shall not be eligible for licensure. A licensee deemed so ineligible may appeal this action through the process identified in Section 12.2.
Individuals who have gained skills in the area and practice of psychology have a right to free trade within these United States, unless judged incapable of carrying on these practices. To that end, the Board utilizes a habilitation and rehabilitation approach to the judicial functions assigned to it by A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq.
Should the Board suspend the license of an individual, that individual shall be given a specific period of time of license suspension. The Board shall establish with the individual, a plan of action that ensures ethical and professional principles shall not be violated in the individual's reestablished practice.
Should the Board refuse to license any individual on the basis of any factors listed in A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq., a rehabilitation plan shall be developed and successful completion of the plan shall permit re-application. If refusal to license or register is based upon results of a criminal background check pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-312(f) the license or registration may be granted only upon waiver by the Board of the conviction. Any applicant for license or registration who has plead guilty, nolo contendere, or been found guilty of a permanently disqualifying offense listed in A.C.A. § 97-17-312(m) (2) shall not be eligible for licensure or registration.
Should the Board revoke the license of any individual on the basis of factors listed in A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq., the individual may apply for reinstatement according to Section 5 of these Rules and Regulations.
In lieu of suspension or reprimand, the Board may issue a letter of reprimand and/or designate remedial action such as additional training, supervised experience or both.
Pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-101, et seq., the Board may suspend, refuse, or revoke a license for a period to be determined by the Board, may impose a fine of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000.); may issue a letter of reprimand; and/or may require additional hours of education of a licensee on the following grounds:
If suspension, refusal to license or revocation is based upon the results of a criminal background check pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-312(f) or other determination that the licensee has been convicted, plead guilty or nolo contendere to a disqualifying offense found at A.C.A. § 17-97-312(f) and said offense has not been expunged, licensure may be granted or renewed only upon waiver by the Board of the disqualification.
Any applicant for licensure or renewal who has plead guilty to, nolo contendere, or been found guilty of a permanently disqualifying offense shall not be eligible for licensure or renewal of licensure. Permanently disqualifying offenses are found at A.C.A. 97-17-312(m) (2) and include:
Any applicant for licensure who has plead guilty, nolo contendere, or been found guilty of a disqualifying offense listed in A.C.A. 97-17-312(f), and not been permanently disqualified, shall not be eligible for licensure unless the offense has been expunged or waiver of the disqualification has been granted by the Board.
When a sanction ordered by the Board becomes final under the Administrative Procedures Act (A.C.A. § 25-15-101 et seq.), such information shall be publicly disseminated, including a posting on the Board's Newsletter or website. The posting shall include the licensee's name, a citation of the law(s) or statute(s) violated, a brief description of the findings of fact, and a description of the sanction.
Any Complaint/Ethics Investigator, whether a Board member, Board employee, or independent contractor, appointed by the Board to conduct an investigation of a particular complaint, shall be free of any prejudicial conflict of interest relating to the complainant, the respondent, and/or the subject matter of the complaint in order to foster unbiased, impartial data gathering and recommendations making. Should a prejudicial conflict exist or arise for the investigator that would adversely impact fairness of the investigation process, he/she shall recuse from the case or matter unless the parties should mutually waive that recusal option and permit the investigator to continue pursuit of the investigation. In the event of an investigator's recusal, the Board or its designee will then appoint an alternate investigator for that matter or case. The existence of a conflict may be raised by the investigator, any Board member, administrative staff, and/or any party to the complaint or matter needing investigation. Should a dispute arise regarding the validity of a conflict allegation and/or its prejudicial character requiring a recusal, the members of the Board's Complaints Committee, excepting the investigator with the alleged conflict, shall by majority vote make that determination, with any "tie" in that determination procedure resulting in that determination being referred to the Board for resolution.
Procedures for judicial review shall be in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (A.C.A. § 25-15-101, et seq.)
The Board may not recommend suspension or revocation of licensure or refuse to issue or to renew any certificate for any cause listed herein, or any other penalty described in A.C.A. § 17-97-310 affecting a certificate or license until the person accused has been given at least 20 days notice in writing by registered mail, with a return receipt requested, of the charges against him/her and an opportunity for a public hearing by the Board has been held. The written notice shall be mailed to the person's last known address. Non-appearance of the person shall not prevent the hearing.
In the event of a public hearing, the Board may administer oaths and procure by its subpoenas the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant documents.
Any action of, or ruling or order made or entered by, the Board declining to issue a certificate, declining to recommend licensure, or recommending suspension, revocation of or other penalty described in A.C.A. § 17-97-310 which affects a certificate or license shall be subject to review pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, A.C.A. § 25-15-201 et seq.
License fees shall be set by the Board and shall reflect actual and projected costs of the administration of the Board. All fees are subject to change, and shall never be retroactive.
The Board shall charge a $200.00 application fee of any applicant for licensure.
This fee shall be paid in advance for an applicant to receive the application package.
The Board shall charge an administrative fee of $50.00 in addition to the fee charged for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This cumulative fee must be received by the Board before an applicant will be scheduled for this written examination.
The Board shall charge a license registration fee of $200.00 plus a pro-rated license fee for all individuals approved for licensure. The fee must be received by the Board prior to date of licensure.
In the event of an individual's failure of oral examination, a $100.00 fee shall be paid for each subsequent oral exam.
The Board shall charge a $100.00 fee for six (6) months or less of supervised practice as a provisional licensure applicant. This fee is renewable consistent with extensions of time for practice and is due upon approval by the Board.
The Board shall charge an annual License Renewal Fee of up to $300.00 per A.C.A. § 17-97-308(2) ©. The amount will be regulated by the Board in accordance with budgetary needs. There shall be no pro-rated renewal fees.
The Board shall charge an additional $100.00 fee for delinquent license renewal. This fee is due prior to renewal of license to practice psychology.
The Board shall charge a fee of one half the current renewal fee to place a license on Inactive Status. In the event the license is reactivated, one Biennium of past CEUs must be submitted to the Board proving the licensee has kept up with current standards. The Board will consider the circumstances of the licensee's inactive status at the time of reinstatement to full licensure, and may require an oral examination if deemed necessary.
The Board shall charge the following administrative fees which are considered necessary in the performance of the Board's duties:
13.10. A. Photocopying, per page | $ 1.00 |
13.10. B. Personal Name Change | $ 10.00 |
13.10. C. Service Charge on Returned Check | $ 20.00 |
13.10. D. Replacement of Returned Check | $ 20.00 |
13.10. E. Mailing Lists/Labels | $100.00 |
13.10. F. Verification of Licensure | $ 10.00 |
13.10. G. Delinquent CE Penalty | $ 50.00 |
An annual renewal fee shall be set by the Board. This fee is subject to change.
The Board has established that annual renewal fees and application for renewal for license are due on or before July 1 of each calendar year. Should the annual renewal time be changed, such change will be consistent with the requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act.
A licensee or registrant for whom the information from the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police reveals that the applicant has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of, any offense listed in A.C.A. § 17-97-312(f) shall not be eligible for renewal unless the reported offense has been expunged, subject to the exceptions found at A.C.A. 17-97-312(m) (2) which shall result in permanent disqualification. A licensee or registrant may apply to the Board for a waiver of disqualification pursuant to A.C.A. § 17-97-312(h) (1) for the conviction of any listed offense not subject to permanent disqualification. A licensee deemed so ineligible may appeal this action through the process identified in Section 12.2.
Failure to apply for and pay the license renewal fee by July 1 shall result in suspension of the license as long as the application and fee are delinquent. Reinstatement of suspended license shall automatically occur at the time the registration fee plus the delinquent renewal fee (Section 13.7) are paid.
If any licentiate fails for three (3) consecutive years to pay the fee, then it shall be the duty of the Board without hearing or notice cancel his or her license, subject to reinstatement. If application for reinstatement is made, the Board shall consider the moral character and professional qualifications of the applicant as in the case of an original application.
Relations and communications between a licensed Psychologist or Psychological Examiner and the client are considered to be confidential on the same basis as those provided by law between attorney and client and are not to be disclosed except as required by law.
Nothing in these Rules and Regulations shall be construed to require any privileged communication to be disclosed.
Adopted August 12, 2005 Effective ...
199.00.05 Ark. Code R. 001