Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards Summer Edition 2015 It is hard to believe that more than half of 2015 has passed. As always, has been very busy this year working on projects to benefit our member boards. One of the most exciting current projects is the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This project was started based on requests received from our members asking for a mechanism to help regulate telepsychology. Basedaonathosearequests,aacreatedatheaTelepsychology Task Force to research the most feasible way to regulate the provision of psychological services via telecommunications. The Task Force identified the needs of the licensing boards, the consumer and the practitioner and, as a result, created the E.Passport as a way Executive Message 1 Telepsychology 3 at APA 8 Central Preview to provide consistency and to regulate telepsychology. When presented to the membership at the 2012 Midyear, attendees questioned why an agreement could not be used. has a history regarding interjurisdictional agreements such as the Agreement of Reciprocity (AOR). The AOR, although useful, has had limited success due to the variations among the licensure s 10 12 requirements within the jurisdictions. In order to participate, most jurisdictions would have to modify their current licensure requirements to meet those of the AOR. The Task Force then went back to work researching types of agreements that all states could utilize without modifying current licensure requirements. An interstate compact was reviewed as a potential option that allows for agreements between the states. Although interstate compacts are only legally binding between US jurisdictions, additional research is being conducted to address the needs of our Canadian members, and if a parallel agreement can be implemented between the states and provinces. PSYPACT was created and presented at the 2014. It was well received, however many attendees provided input that additional components could be added, including the regulation of temporary in-person, face-to-face practice, to provide consistency around time allowances for temporary practice. The final PSYPACT language was approved by the Board of Directors in February, 2015. PSYPACT is an interstate compact that provides a formal structure to facilitate the implementation of legally binding requirements to regulate interjurisdictional telepsychology and temporary in- 9
person, face-to-face practice. In order to ensure that all practitioners utilizing the PSYPACT have met acceptable standards, PSYPACT will require that psychologists obtain the Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC) and/or the E.Passport to verify their education, training and experience. More information regarding the specifics of PSYPACT can be found later in this edition of Central. If you would like for to visit with your jurisdiction regarding the PSYPACT and how it will work for your state, please contact me at jorwig@asppb.org or Alex Siegel at asiegel@asppb.org. Janet P. Orwig, MBA Associate Executive Officer for Member Services Executive Director of PSYPACT
As you just read, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards has been hard at work trying to establish a way to regulate telepsychology amongst jurisdictions within the United States. As Mrs. Orwig said, this is something that our member boards, as well as psychologists, have expressed interest in. We will now take a more in-depth look into how the United States and Canada are working on implementing ways to regulate telepsychology.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PSYPACT! What is PSYPACT? The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, or PSYPACT, is an interstate compact that facilitates the practice of telepsychology and the temporary, in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries. By enacting PSYPACT into legislation, a state allows psychologists licensed in their state, or another PSYPACT state, to practice across states lines temporarily or via telepsychological means. What are the benefits of PSYPACT? Increases client/patient access to care Facilitates continuity of care when client/patient relocates, travels, etc. Certifies that psychologists meet acceptable standards of practice Promotes cooperation between PSYPACT states in the areas of licensure and regulation Offers a higher degree of consumer protection across state lines What happens when PSYPACT becomes operational? PSYPACT becomes operational when seven states pass the legislation for PSYPACT. When this occurs, the PSYPACT Commission is then created and is comprised of one representative from each PSYPACT state. The Commission is the governing body of the PSYPACT and is responsible for its oversight and the creation of its Rules and Bylaws. PSYPACT states will have the ability to communicate and exchange information including verification of licensure and disciplinary actions.
At this time, licensed psychologists who wish to practice under PSYPACT can participate via the following steps: To practice telepsychology: Apply for and obtain the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards () E.Passport to practice telepsychology in PSYPACT states. IdentifyaandanotifyaaandatheaPSYPACTaCommissionaofatelepsychological practice into each PSYPACT state. Complete continuing education requirements for E.Passport. ly renew the E.Passport. To conduct temporary in-person, face-to-face practice: Apply for and obtain the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards () Interjurisdictional Practice Certificate (IPC) to conduct temporary in-person, face-to-face practice for up to thirty work days in a calendar year in PSYPACT states. Identify and notify and the PSYPACT Commission of temporary in-person, face-to-face practice into each PSYPACT state. ly renew the IPC. How can I learn more about PSYPACT? is currently developing a website dedicated to PSYPACT and plans to launch in September 2015. The website will include access to the PSYPACT language, downloadable resource materials, a frequently asked questions section and a map to track the legislative progress of PSYPACT. Lisa Russo PSYPACT Coordinator Member Services Special Project Coordinator You can also reach us at info@psypact.org with questions and follow us on Twitter @PSYPACT!
The four Atlantic provinces of Canada have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding inter-jurisdictional practice of telepsychology. The MOU was first established between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia in 2014, was joined by New Brunswick later in 2014, and this year has been joined by Newfoundland and Labrador. The almost-universal understanding among regulatory boards in North America is that people must be registered in a jurisdiction in order to deliver telepsychology services into that jurisdiction. Efforts are actively underway to bring that understanding into line with the technological realities of 2015, and to maximize the likelihood that the public has access to appropriate, regulated, psychology services. It is to that end that the Atlantic Provinces have entered into the MOU. This is the first agreement in North America enabling inter-jurisdictional telepsychology practice without requirement to be registered in both jurisdictions. Central to the agreement was adoption/endorsement by the four jurisdictions of the Model Standards for Telepsychology Services Delivery adopted by the Association of Canadian Psychology Regulatory Organizations in 2011, and available at http://www.acproaocrp.ca/documents/acpro%20model%20standards%20for%20telepsychology% 20Service%20Delivery.pdf. These standards remind registrants of some 20 especially relevant components of the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists, and then go on to address telepsychology-specific responsibilities, such as competence in the technology of the service delivery mechanism, protections against impersonation, and advance planning for technological failure. The Model Standards do not themselves resolve issues of inter-jurisdictional practice, and remind registrants to be certain that they are legally authorized to practice into any jurisdiction to which they are delivering services. The MOU enables registrants in one signatory jurisdiction to deliver appropriate telepsychology services into another signatory jurisdiction without being registered in the receiving jurisdiction, and after having informed the receiving jurisdiction of an intent to deliver such services within the calendar year. The registrant simply provides the receiving jurisdiction with his or her name, contact information, and home jurisdiction registration number; no application form is assessed and no fee is levied. In the event of a complaint from the public, the home jurisdiction carries
regulatory responsibility, having agreed to accept and investigate complaints against its registrants, and to bear all costs and liabilities associated with investigating and adjudicating complaints against the telepsychology practice of its registrants. The MOU does not apply to inperson provision of services. The initial term of the MOU is two years, and the agreement can be cancelled by any party with two weeks written notice. Philip Smith, Ph.D. Registrar for Prince Edward Island
In August, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards attended the 2015 American Psychological Association conference. had multiple staff representatives, as well as members of our Board of Directors there helping man our both and talking with psychologists. also had a nice turnout at its annual reception.
In the fall edition of Central, we will be taking a look at the Examination of Professional Practices in Psychology or EPPP. We will briefly discuss the history of the exam, recent exam updates, and how you are able to transfer your EPPP score to another jurisdiction.
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