HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1031

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 465-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:

     1.  By adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""American Psychological Association" means the American Psychological Association or its successor agency approved by the board."

     2.  By amending the definition of "continuing education" to read as follows:

     ""Continuing education" means courses approved by the American Psychological Association, the Hawaii Psychological Association, or other state or provincial psychological Associations[.], and continuing medical education courses that are related to the practice of psychology and approved by the American Medical Association or its successor agency approved by the board."

     3.  By amending the definition of "institution of higher education" to read as follows:

     ""Institution of higher education" means a university, professional school, or other institution of higher learning that:

     (1)  In the United States, is regionally accredited by bodies approved by [the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and] the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor agency approved by the board or the United States Department of Education; or

     (2)  In Canada, holds a membership in [the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; or] Universities Canada or its successor agency approved by the board.

    [(3)  In other countries, is accredited by the respective official organization having such authority.]"

     4.  By amending the definition of "professional psychology training program" to read as follows:

     ""Professional psychology training program" means a doctoral training program that [includes (1) and (2), or (1) and (3) of the following:

     (1)  Is a planned program of study which reflects an integration of the science and practice of psychology including practica and internship; and

     (2)  Is designated as a doctoral program in psychology by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology or is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association; or

     (3)  Is offered in a regionally accredited institution of higher education.] is a planned sequential program of study and training offered in an institution of higher education that reflects an integration of psychological science and practice to facilitate human development and functioning prepares individuals to provide psychological services to the general public."

     SECTION 3.  Section 465-7.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§465-7.5  Foreign graduates.  [An applicant trained in an institution other than an institution of higher education as defined in this chapter must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant possesses a doctoral degree in psychology, the requirements for which are substantially similar to the requirements for a doctoral degree in professional psychology as required in this chapter.  The board shall consider the certification of the graduate division of the University of Hawaii that the degree from the foreign university is equivalent to a doctoral degree granted from an institution of higher education as defined in this chapter.] (a)  An applicant who holds a doctoral degree in psychology trained in an institution other than an institution of higher education as defined in section 465-1 must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board that the requirements for the doctoral degree are substantially similar to the requirements for a doctoral degree in professional psychology training program as required in section 465-7(a)(1)(B).  The board may consider the certification by a current member agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services that the doctoral degree from the foreign university is equivalent to a doctoral degree granted from an institution of higher education as defined in section 465-1; and

     (b)  Regardless of country of origin, a master's degree in psychology shall not have parity with a doctoral degree in professional psychology as required for licensure by this chapter and shall not be used to meet the education requirements for licensure."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST

 

 

Report Title:

Psychologists; Definitions; License Requirements.

 

Description:

Updates definitions related to the education and training requirements of psychologists; amends the screening process for applicants educated at a foreign institution.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.