Article archive / January 2020
Originally published: . Volume 11, No. 1. Source pages: 3, 4.
From the Minutes Selected Items from October Minutes of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Long Range Planning, October 10 DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
1. Policy revisions to the oral examination process – Dr. Boggs presented this matter and her views on revising the oral examination process. Dr. Boggs proposed a model that would required an individual to declare their competencies as opposed to offering a case vignette in a certain specialty area. The group reviewed the current process and rating scale for current oral examination. Discussion included proposed changes to assessing competence and safety including: a. Annually updating competencies at renewal. b. Determining how a candidate determines what they may need to know to be considered competent to treat a patient; how to continually expand competency; when to refer a patient. c. Consider eliminating the vignette as part of the oral exam. d. Consider requiring an individual to bring their own case in for discussion as part of the oral exam. e. Defining competence (knowledge plus skills and ability) in the rules.
2. Specialty designation vs. HSP/General Applied Psychology – The Board discussed the idea of eliminating specialty designations and recognizing the psychologists license as either a Health Service Provider or a General Applied Psychologist. The group discussion included: a. Defining where programs such that train developmental psychologist would be placed. b. Redefining criteria for acceptable training programs in either category.
3. Adopting opinion and guidelines for Tele-Supervision Dr. Moore presented this topic and her goal to expand the current Telepsychology Guidelines adopted by the LSBEP to include guidelines for providing supervision via telephone or other electronic means. The group discussion included: a. Determining what training subsets would be allowed to utilize tele- supervision. b. Would preapproval by the board be required to determine acceptability.
4. Registration of unlicensed assistants – The Board discussed the current regulations under Chapter 11 which define the utilization of unlicensed assistants. The group discussed the concerns for public safety in considering the telepsychology guidelines; and also concerns brought up by Dr. Darlyne Nemeth in the rules hearing held earlier this date related to individuals utilizing assistants for “doc-in-the box” corporations. The group discussion included: a. Requiring registration of assistants. b. Requiring a criminal background check as part of that registration. c. Utilizing billing standards to define what unlicensed assistants should be registered. d. Determining if groups share assistants and if so, how would that be administrated through registration.
5. Masters Level License – Dr. Nelson reported that LPA was leaning toward favoring a masters level licensing, and although it is still trending, the movement has died down. Dr. Gormanous suggested that LSBEP wait and see where the American Psychological Association will be going with approving masters level programs and also wait and see if the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards develops guidelines and definitions for masters level licenses. Dr. Henke expressed her desire that, from a board perspective, if this is to come to fruition, that masters level psychologists will be licensed with this board (the LSBEP). The group expressed its concerns that the masters level psychologist scope be clearly differentiated from the Ph.D. psychologist. The Board discussed creating an AdHoc study group to follow this trend and make recommendations and reports to the LSBEP on developments.
6. Reciprocal Licensing – The Board discussed that consideration would be given to revising the regulations guiding reciprocal applicants for licensure, given the diversity in licensing requirements, to ensure that there were no loopholes for applicants who would not meet Louisiana’s minimum standards for licensure.
7. Jurisprudence Examination – The Board discussed the development of an online jurisprudence exam for initial licensure as well as offering the examination to licensees as CPD to fulfill the ethics requirements.
8. EPPP2 – The Board discussed the EPPP2 and Dr. Gormanous and Ms. Monic’s attendance at ASPPB’s Annual Meeting. The Board requested that attendees bring up Louisiana’s desire that states who are not early adopters are not penalized and their applicants are allowed to take part 2 of the examination it if they want to.
9. Continuing Education Requirements – The board reflected on the comments received during the hearing. Dr. Henke explained that the Board desired to move toward a model that focused on quality over quantity; consider reducing the number of hours; and requiring only formal approved activities. The Board discussed soliciting additional comments on this matter through a survey. Dr. Moore agreed to develop the survey.
[Long Range Planning, October 11]
6. FINANCIAL: The Board thoroughly reviewed the budget for the current Fiscal Year 2019-20, Dr. Amy Henke moved in favor of approving amendments to the budget to accommodate the Compliance Officer position previously approved. The Board also reviewed the budget for the impending Fiscal Year 2020-21, by motion of Dr. Gregory Gormanous, the following resolution was formally adopted:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LSBEP adopts revisions to the current July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 budget which reflects an increase in the Total Salaries from $111,540 to $168,787; an increase in projected revenue due to expense sharing with the La Behavior Analyst Board from $301,680 to $329,831; and an increase in anticipated Total Operating Expenses from $289,093 to $366,236; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LSBEP adopts the proposed July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 Budget, reflecting anticipated Total Means of Financing of $342,936, Total Salaries of $194,249, and Total Operating Expenses of $365,654; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the LSBEP will engage in rulemaking to address the requirement for registration of assistants to psychologists in order to protect consumers of psychological activities which are performed by “unlicensed assistants” (e.g., need for authorizing criminal background checks) and the preapproval of continuing professional development activities which will impact the budget, therefore requiring continued financial analysis of the projected 2020-21 Budget for future amendments.
The resolution having been submitted to a vote of the majority of the LSBEP, the vote thereon was as follows: Koren Boggs – YEA; Amy Henke – YEA; Gregory Gormanous – YEA, Gina Gibson – YEA, Michelle Moore – YEA; 0 – Neys; 0 – Abstained; 0 – Absent; 1 – Vacant Seat(s)
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Excerpts from Long-Range Meeting to be continued in February issue.]
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