Explanation of agency authority:
The examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the profession to which it pertains and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular profession. [s. 15.08 (5) (b)] The examining board shall adopt such rules as are necessary under this chapter. [s. 455.08] Related statute or rule: n/a
Plain language analysis:
Sections 1 and 2 defines the two examination required for licensure. The practice of psychology exam is the national Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The examination on the elements of practice essential to the public health, safety or welfare is the jurisprudence examination on Wisconsin statutes and rules.
Section 3 repeals and recreates the application process. An applicant is required to file an application, pay a fee, provide evidence of education or equivalent academic training or experience, documentation of a one year experience in psychological work, pass the EPPP, pass the jurisprudence exam, verification of credentials in another state and provide information relating to any pending criminal charge or conviction.
Section 4 creates a section on application by reciprocity. An applicant who holds an active license in another jurisdiction may apply for license by submitting an application, pay a fee, pass the jurisprudence exam and evidence of successful completion of an examination on the practice of psychology approved by the board or evidence of completion of at least 40 board approved continuing education hours within 2 years prior to application.
Section 5 creates a section on application by obtaining a diploma from the American Board of Professional Psychology. The applicant is required to pass an examination on the practice of psychology approved by the Board and the jurisprudence exam.
Section 6 repeals obsolete examination provisions relating to scheduling an examination, unauthorized assistance and time limits and other necessary controls.
Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 updates the passing scores section. The passing score on each examination is determined to represent minimum competency. The Board may adopt the recommended passing score of the examination provider for the national examination for the professional practice of psychology. The determination of a passing score on the jurisprudence test is based upon consultation with subject matter experts.
Section 11 repeals the sections on reviewing examinations after failing and claiming of examination error on the jurisprudence test which is an open book, online test and these provisions are obsolete. It also repeals the requirement limiting how many times the examination can be taken. The Board is unable to prescribe or approve further training or education prior to taking the exam after 3 attempts because the Board does not have information regarding the areas the applicant demonstrates deficiencies due to it being a national test.
Section 12 repeals and recreates the section relating to education and experience equivalent to a doctoral degree in psychology. The curriculum must include scientific psychology, scientific, methodical and theoretical foundations of practice, diagnosing or defining problems through psychological assessment and measurement and formulating and implementing intervention strategies, and a practicum, internship, field or laboratory training supervised by a person with a doctorate degree in psychology.
Section 13 creates the supervised psychological experience requirements. The one year experience in psychological work occurs after the doctoral degree in psychology and consists of 2000 hours in no more than 2 years (to allow for part time work experience). A minimum of 25% of the time shall be with face-to-face client contact and a total of 65% of time (including the face-to-face client contact) shall be in providing psychological services which are services directly related to a client. This section also outlines the supervisor’s responsibilities relating to the practice which can be performed, the ability and knowledge to step in when necessary, and provide evaluations of the experience.
Section 14 repeals the sections related to requirements for a person holding another state’s license and doctoral degrees obtained outside of the United States or Canada as they are now addressed elsewhere.
Section 15 repeals and recreates the provisions related to temporary practice for clarity purposes. A person may temporarily work in without a license in Wisconsin for not more than 60 working days defined as any day the psychologist provides services. If the psychologist is exceeding 20 working days per year, the psychologist shall let the Board know the nature and extent of the practice in Wisconsin. This section also makes clear that a psychologist is providing psychological services in this state whenever the patient or client is located in Wisconsin regardless of where the psychologist is located.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: Illinois applicants are required to have graduated from a doctoral program or a program equivalent to a clinical, school or counseling psychology program and two years of supervised clinical, school or counseling psychology experience. An equivalent program shall consist of the following curriculum: scientific and professional ethics, biological basis of behavior, cognitive-affective basis of behavior, social basis of behavior, individual differences, assessment and treatment modalities. In addition, the applicant shall take the EPPP and the minimum passing score is set by the testing entity. An applicant holding a license in another state may apply by reciprocity by submitting proof that the licensing standards in the state of original jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to those of Illinois. An applicant who is licensed for at least 20 years may apply under provisions for senior psychologists requiring proof of active licensure for 20 consecutive years and verification of a doctoral degree.
Iowa: Iowa applicants are required to have a doctoral degree, pass the EPPP and complete one year of supervised professional experience for no less than 1500 hours. An applicant may apply through endorsement by providing verification of a current Certificate of Professional Qualification issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards or by providing verification of licensure in another jurisdiction with licensure requirements that are substantially equivalent to those required in Iowa. The board may enter into a reciprocal agreement with other jurisdictions.
Michigan: Michigan applicants are required to possess either a doctoral degree in psychology or in a closely related field and pass the EPPP. An applicant may apply through endorsement by doing one of the following: having a license in another state for a minimum of 10 years, holding a current Certificate of Professional Qualification from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards; or holding a current health service provider credential issued by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists.
Minnesota: Minnesota applicants are required to have a doctoral degree from a program that is an organized sequence of study in psychology, pass a national standardized examination in psychology specified by the board (passing score is the recommended score) and complete one full year of postdegree supervised employment consisting of a minimum of 1,800 hours of actual work experience that is accrued in no less than 12 months and in no more than 30 months. Applicants by mobility are required to show evidence of having a Certificate of Professional Qualification issued by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards or a diplomate from the American Board of Professional Psychology or a health service provider in psychology.
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
The Board reviewed their rules for statutory compliance and updated accordingly. In addition, the Board updated procedures and processes.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
This rule was posted for economic impact comments and none were received.
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis:
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Jeffrey.Weigand@wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 267-2435. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF RULE
Section 1. Psy 1.02 (5s) is created to read:
Psy 1.02 (5s) “EPPP” means the Examination for the Professional Practice in Psychology which is the board approved examination on the practice of psychology.
Section 2. Psy 1.02 (6m) “Jurisprudence exam” means the board approved examination on the elements of practice essential to the public health, safety or welfare.
Section 3. Psy 2.01 is repealed and recreated to read:
Psy 2.01 Application procedure. An applicant for licensure as a psychologist shall submit all of the following:
(1) The properly completed and signed application form.
(2) The application fee authorized by s. 440.05 (1), Stats. (3) Evidence of one of the following:
(a) Official transcript indicating a doctoral degree in psychology from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by the state board of education in the state in which the college or university is located.
(b) Academic training or specialized experience which in the opinion of the board is equivalent to a doctoral degree in psychology.
(c) Documentation of academic credentials evaluated by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists or other credential evaluation organization approved by the Board.
